Most spreadsheet programs let you open, manipulate, and save imported files. You might want to use Quattro Pro to work with these foreign files in the future, or you might need to work with these files today, then save them in the form in which they came to you so they can be used again by those who created them.

About File Formats

Why are these processes necessary? The makers of spreadsheet programs feel the way their product stores detail within a file is the best, and they would like users to agree. A file's format is comprised of the names of the fonts, colors, and cell content detail needed to represent your spreadsheet properly when you work with a file. Some software makers put all of the text formatting information at the top of the file. Others spread this information throughout the file or cluster it at the end of the file.

Because they've failed to establish a standard file format, software developers have been forced to provide users with the tools they need to import and export several kinds of popular file formats. You'll even note that magazine reviewers consider import/export muscle to be one of the foundation blocks of a well- engineered product. That's why Quattro Pro not only lets you import/export spreadsheet, database, and text files, but also lets you import graphics files into your spreadsheets to enhance presentation and help make an impact where only a picture can serve the purpose.

This all may sound as though it's bordering on rocket science, but Novell has provided the ability to easily open strange files, work with them, then save them in their native formats. We'll walk you through the import and export processes; in each set of steps presented here, we're assuming you have Quattro Pro running.

Importing Files

To open a spreadsheet file created by another spreadsheet, database, or text-creating software product, use these steps:

1. Select the File menu's Open command to access the Open File dialog box.

Quattro Pro imports and exports most popular spreadsheet, database, and text file formats.

2. Click the arrow button next to the lowest text box in the dialog box to see a list of file format names. You'll notice that some of the items are apparently in a foreign language, so we'll translate them here :

•QPW v6 stands for Quattro Pro for Windows, version 6.0.

• QPW represents every other version of Quattro Pro for Windows.

• QP/DOS v5 stands for Quattro Pro for DOS, version 5.0.

• QP/DOS represents every other version of the DOS product.

• Excel is used by Microsoft Excel; Excel 7.0 for Windows 95 uses the Excel 5.0 format.

• 1-2-3 v3.x, v2.x, v1.0 and "Ed" all represent different versions of Lotus 1-2-3.

• Paradox, dBASE, and Reflex are database programs.

• Text files are similar to those created by Windows Notepad.

• DIF, SYLK, and Sym file formats all are used by other, older and lesser-known spreadsheet products.

3. Select the file format that is used by the file you wish to import. Look first at the file's name, since the format name is usually given away in the last three characters called the filename extension.

4. Select the actual file, then wait for Quattro Pro to open it.

Exporting Files

Unlike the competition, Quattro Pro lets you work with a spreadsheet without actually importing it or converting it to its own file format. You can save a file in its original format, save it as a Quattro Pro file, or as a different format, such as a database.

To export an open file in a "foreign" format:

1. Select the File menu's Save As command.

2. Choose the format for the file you're about to save by clicking the button next to the Save File As Type box.

3. Designate the new file location, then name the file.

4. Click OK to export the file.

Yes, you can import all sorts of information—including graphics, E-mail messages, Readme.txt files, and text—into a spreadsheet file. Quattro Pro gives you the power to work with more kinds of information than you might find necessary, but that's for another issue.

by Robert Mullen