Free online WQ1 to XLSX converter

Older Quattro Pro worksheets may be unreadable in current office software, while XLSX opens in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and other modern spreadsheet applications. Converting the file preserves usable table data in a format suited to editing, sharing, and long-term storage.

What the WQ1 format is

WQ1 is the binary spreadsheet format used by early DOS versions of Borland Quattro Pro. It is found mainly in legacy business records, old computer backups, and DOS-era removable media. A WQ1 file can contain cell values, formulas, number formats, text, and basic worksheet layout.

Current spreadsheet programs generally do not provide dependable native WQ1 support. The most reliable desktop method is a Quattro Pro version included with Corel WordPerfect Office that still supports importing the file.

What the XLSX format is

XLSX is the XML-based workbook format used by current Microsoft Excel versions. It supports multiple worksheets, formulas, modern formatting, tables, charts, data validation, and other current spreadsheet features. Its packaged XML structure is also generally more portable and compact than older binary spreadsheet formats.

Use XLSX when the converted workbook must open in current Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or another office suite without requiring DOS-era Quattro Pro.

How to convert WQ1 to XLSX

Using Quattro Pro in WordPerfect Office

1. Open Quattro Pro from Corel WordPerfect Office.
2. Select File → Open. Set the file filter to show all files if .wq1 is not listed, then select the WQ1 file.
3. Allow Quattro Pro to import the legacy worksheet. Review the sheets, formulas, dates, number formats, column widths, and text for import errors.
4. Select File → Save As and choose the Microsoft Excel 2007–365 or equivalent .xlsx format. The exact label depends on the WordPerfect Office version.
5. Save under a new filename so the original .wq1 file remains unchanged.
6. Open the resulting XLSX in Excel or another XLSX-compatible application and check important totals and formulas.

Support for WQ1 and XLSX varies between WordPerfect Office releases. If the installed Quattro Pro version rejects the file or does not offer XLSX output, use a release that supports both formats or convert the file on 101convert.com without installing software.

Using the built-in online converter

On 101convert.com, select the WQ1-to-XLSX conversion, upload the WQ1 file, start the conversion, and download the resulting XLSX file. Do not upload confidential, personal, or regulated worksheets unless the service's data-handling terms meet your requirements.

Quality and compatibility limits

Legacy conversion can alter formulas, unsupported functions, date interpretation, character encoding, print settings, page breaks, column widths, charts, and cell formatting. Check dates carefully because old spreadsheet programs may use a different date system or store dates as numeric values.

Quattro Pro macros and proprietary objects do not become Excel VBA macros through an XLSX export. XLSX itself does not store VBA macros; a macro-enabled Excel workbook requires the .xlsm format, and converted Quattro Pro macros may still require manual rewriting.

Keep the original WQ1 file as the archival source. If no current Quattro Pro installation can open it, use an older compatible WordPerfect Office or Quattro Pro environment to open and resave the worksheet, then convert that intermediate file and verify the result in Excel.