Open WKS files

Full name

Microsoft Works Spreadsheet Document Format
Developer

Microsoft
Popularity

Have you encountered a problem with a WKS file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a WKS file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your WKS file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is WKS file?

The file extension WKS is used by Microsoft Works for spreadsheet documents. The data of an WCS file is arranged in rows and columns and can be linked together via formulas and relationships. Microsoft Works is an Office suite that resembles Microsoft Office, but has been reduced in functionality.

More info

An WCS file contains not only the table cell values but also formatting instructions and formulas. Wks is a proprietary format and was used until the 2000 version. As of version 6, the spreadsheets have the extension xlr. Wks files can be imported depending on the version of older versions of Excel, Microsoft Excel 2007 and higher are not able to do so.

Programs which can open a WKS file

Windows

Mac OS

Microsoft Excel

How to open file with WKS extension?

In order to open a file with WKS extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening WKS file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with WKS files, follow the instructions below.

Install Microsoft Excel or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening WKS files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support WKS files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of WKS files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Excel as the default program for opening WKS files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate WKS files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Excel applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Excel has been installed.

Check the section that lists most common problems with WKS files

Sometimes problems with opening WKS files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

File data is corrupted
WKS files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open WKS files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
WKS file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)