Free online WDB to EXCEL converter

Microsoft Works Database files are difficult to open in current office software, so converting them to .xlsx makes old records editable, searchable, shareable, and easier to archive. Excel also provides sorting, filtering, printing, and compatibility with current spreadsheet applications.

What the WDB format is

In the Documents category, .wdb identifies a Microsoft Works Database file. Microsoft Works versions 2 through 9 used this format for address books, customer lists, inventories, membership records, and other collections of fields and records.

A Works database is typically a flat table rather than an Excel workbook or a relational Microsoft Access database. It should not be confused with Access files such as .mdb or .accdb. Confirm the file's origin before conversion, because the .wdb extension can also be used by unrelated software.

What the Excel format is

Modern Excel workbooks normally use .xlsx, an XML-based format supported by Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and other current spreadsheet programs. Excel can sort and filter records, calculate values, create charts, validate entries, print tables, and export data to other formats.

.xls is Excel's older binary workbook format. Choose .xlsx unless a specific legacy application requires .xls; the newer format supports larger worksheets and avoids many older workbook limits.

Convert WDB with 101convert.com

The built-in converter on 101convert.com can convert a Microsoft Works file to Excel without installing desktop software:

1. Open the WDB-to-Excel converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload a copy of the Works file, such as contacts.wdb.
3. Select Excel output, preferably .xlsx.
4. Start the conversion and download the resulting workbook.
5. Open the workbook in Excel or LibreOffice Calc and check the headers, row count, dates, character display, and several records.

Support can vary with the Works version and the internal structure of the file. Do not upload confidential personal, medical, financial, or customer records unless the service is approved for that data. Keep the original .wdb file unchanged.

Export through Microsoft Works

If an existing Microsoft Works installation can open the file, a delimited export provides a practical fallback:

1. Make a backup and open the copy in Microsoft Works Database.
2. Choose File → Save As or File → Export, depending on the Works version.
3. Export to .csv, tab-delimited text, or another delimited text format offered by Works.
4. Open Excel and choose Data → From Text/CSV. In older Excel versions, use the text-import wizard.
5. Select the correct delimiter, quotation handling, character encoding, and header-row setting in the import dialog.
6. Set postal codes, telephone numbers, account numbers, identifiers, and other values requiring leading zeroes to Text before importing. This also prevents long identifiers from being displayed in scientific notation.
7. Check dates and numeric columns, then choose File → Save As and save the result as Excel Workbook (*.xlsx).

Current Windows and Microsoft 365 installations do not include Microsoft Works. If no compatible installation is available, use an existing licensed copy in an appropriate older Windows environment or virtual machine. Avoid obtaining legacy software from untrusted sources.

Use LibreOffice after exporting

LibreOffice Calc can open the CSV or text file produced by Works. Choose File → Open, select the exported file, set the delimiter and character set in the import dialog, verify the column preview, and use File → Save As to create .xlsx.

Direct WDB support is not consistent across LibreOffice versions, so importing a Works-generated CSV or delimited text file is usually more reliable than attempting to open the WDB file directly.

Quality and compatibility limits

• Delimited conversion normally transfers field values and records, not database forms, reports, indexes, relationships, application settings, or embedded objects.
• Works files containing more than one data object may require separate exports. Linked records and calculated fields must be checked or recreated manually.
• Dates such as 03/04/2020 can be interpreted differently under regional settings. Verify date columns after import.
• Inspect accented characters and other non-English text. If they are corrupted, repeat the import with the appropriate character set, such as Windows-1252 when applicable.
• Fields containing commas, tabs, quotation marks, or line breaks require correct delimiter and quoting settings. Each source record should appear on one row with the expected number of columns.
• Compare source and workbook record counts, and inspect the first, last, and several representative records before modifying or deleting the original.

If preserving the original database structure, forms, reports, or relationships is required, a CSV-to-Excel conversion is insufficient; retain the WDB file and use a compatible Works environment or a specialist migration process.