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From: burgoyne@eng.umd.edu (John R. Burgoyne)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms.programmer
Subject: Re: Excel and 1-2-3 file formats
Message-ID: <1991May30.162820.236@eng.umd.edu>
Date: 30 May 91 16:28:20 GMT
References: <675518012.70@sunbrk.FidoNet>
Sender: news@eng.umd.edu (C-News)
Organization: College of Engineering, Maryversity of Uniland, College Park
Lines: 19

In article <675518012.70@sunbrk.FidoNet> Richard.Singer@sunbrk.FidoNet.Org (Richard Singer) writes:
>
>Does anyone know where the file formats for these two apps is documented?
>
I know about Excel, but not about 1-2-3.

The Excel spreadsheet file format is called "BIFF" for Binary Interchange
File Format and it changed from Excel Version 2.x -> 3.0. Older
versions of BIFF are available free from MS; the only way to get BIFF
for Excel 3.0 in a reasonable time is to join the MS Excel Developer's
club for $295/year.

Excel 3.0 can read 2.x files; Excel 2.x can not read 3.0 files.

Prior to joining the club, we had tried in vain to get BIFF for 3.0
without joining the club (and paying the $295). After joining, we
received it in a week.

Robert