****************************************************************** Overview of the Windows version of the 1-2-3 and Freelance File Translator ****************************************************************** The 1-2-3 and Freelance File Translator converts spreadsheet and presentation graphics files between the OS/2 and Windows file formats. You can convert to and from the 1-2-3 WG2 and WK4 file formats, and to and from the Freelance PRS and PRE file formats. The File Translator converts .WG2 files created using 1-2-3 for OS/2 Release 2.x and .WK4 files created using 1-2-3 for Windows Release 4.x or 5.x. It converts data and worksheet styles and retains most formulas, @functions, fonts, borders, and colors. The File Translator converts the .PRS files created using Freelance Graphics for OS/2 Release 2.x and .PRE files created using Freelance Graphics for Windows Release 2.1. It converts data and SmartMaster styles and retains most fonts, borders, and colors. NOTE: The 1-2-3 and Freelance File Translator will not convert .PRZ files created using Freelance Graphics 96 Edition. ****************************************************************** Windows version of the File Translator - Installation Instructions ****************************************************************** You can copy the File Translator files to a local or network. - To copy the files 1. Start Windows Explorer. - Click the Start button. - Point to Programs. - Click Windows Explorer. 2. Copy the File Translator files from the x:\extra\trans directory (where x: is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive) on the SmartSuite CD to the directory where SmartSuite is installed (usually c:\lotus). For example, - Click the Trans folder (x:\extra\trans). - Choose Edit / Copy. - Click the Lotus folder (c:\lotus). - Choose Edit / Paste. 3. Press ALT + F4 to close Windows Explorer. You can create a Windows File Translator icon. You can then double-click the icon to start the File Translator. - To add an icon to the Start Programs Menu 1. Open the Taskbar properties. - Click the Start button. - Point to Settings. - Click Taskbar. - Select the Start Menu Programs tab. 2. Add the File Translator to the Lotus Accessories folder. - Click the Add button. - Specify the Command line: type c:\lotus\trans\wintrans.exe - Choose Next. - Click Lotus Accessories (under Lotus SmartSuite). - Choose Next. - Specify a name for the icon: type File Translator - Choose Finish. - Choose OK. 3. To start the 1-2-3 and Freelance File Translator - Click the Start button. - Point to Programs. - Point to Lotus SmartSuite. - Point to Lotus Accessories. - Click File Translator. ***************************************************************** Converting a 1-2-3 file to and from the WG2 and WK4 file format ***************************************************************** - To convert a 1-2-3 file 1. Start the File Translator. 2. Select the desired Translation Type. * OS/2 WG2 to Windows WK4 * Windows WK4 to OS/2 WG2 3. (Optional) Click the Source Directory Browse button to specify the drive and directory for the existing 1-2-3 file(s) and click OK. 4. Select the desired File Name(s), up to a maximum of 250 at one time. You can also type file names separated by spaces in the File Name text box. 5. (Optional) Click the Destination Directory Browse button to specify the drive and directory where the translated file(s) should be stored and click OK. 6. Click Translate. 7. Click Exit when the File Translator finishes converting the file(s). NOTE: If you installed the File Translator on a network drive, multiple users can run it from the same location. If multiple users concurrently attempt to translate same-named worksheets to the same destination directory, the File Translator displays a message about overwriting an existing file. ******************************************* Converting a 1-2-3 file - Details ******************************************* The File Translator attempts to convert the contents of the entire file. However, where there are differences in functionality between the 1-2-3 for OS/2 and 1-2-3 for Windows releases, some content may be disregarded or altered during the translation process. - General information Colors Colors may not be identical when the files are converted. Since 1-2-3 for Windows supports 256 colors and 1-2-3 for OS/2 supports 16, the File Translator adjusts the colors to most closely match the original colors. Column widths Column widths may not be identical when the files are converted. Since 1-2-3 for Windows and 1-2-3 for OS/2 calculate column widths differently, the File Translator converts column widths based on the default font and the width of the column in inches or centimeters, not on the width of the characters. DDE DDE links are not maintained, since link commands in 1-2-3 for Windows and 1-2-3 for OS/2 are implemented in different ways. The File Translator converts DDE links to labels. See also the section on @functions below. Draw layer objects The File Translator does not convert draw layer objects such as arrows and circles. Fonts The File Translator converts standard fonts available in both 1-2-3 for Windows and 1-2-3 for OS/2, such as Helvetica, Times Roman, and Courier. It converts other fonts into available fonts that most closely match the original font sizes. Graphics The File Translator does not convert bitmaps, metafiles, or other graphics embedded in the worksheet. Graphs The File Translator converts embedded graphs. However, it disregards graph names in a .WK4 file, since there is no equivalent functionality in 1-2-3 for OS/2. The File Translator disregards graphs in a .WG2 file saved as separate .GPH files. Macros The File Translator does not convert macro commands. All macros are treated as labels and they are unaltered during the translation process. Macros in the converted file may not work correctly, since macro commands in 1-2-3 for Windows and 1-2-3 for OS/2 are not always identical. Passwords The File Translator does not convert 1-2-3 files that are password-protected. You must remove the passwords in the files before you convert them. Print margins Print margins may not be identical when the files are converted. You can modify them when you open the converted files. Row heights Row heights may not be identical when the files are converted, since row heights are based on font sizes. See also the section on Fonts above. - Converting from WK4 to WG2 format 1-2-3 for Windows release 5 The File Translator ignores the following content in 1-2-3 for Windows files because there is no equivalent functionality in 1-2-3 for OS/2: * Doc info * Maps * Multiple currency formats (the currency format in the .WG2 file is determined by the default country setting) * Range routing * Version manager * Worksheet tab names @Functions 1-2-3 for Windows releases 4 and 5 have many new @functions that are not available in 1-2-3 for OS/2. If an @function in the source file is not recognized, the File Translator places a label in the corresponding cell in the .WG2 file. The label is appended with a semicolon and the value: '@function name(arguments);current value (last calculated value saved in source file). You can find cells that contain '@ and decide whether to leave the label or use the current value. Styles and attributes Some style elements in 1-2-3 for Windows, such as Designer Frames, are not available in 1-2-3 for OS/2. The File Translator disregards such elements. - Converting from WG2 to WK4 format File names 1-2-3 for Windows cannot open files with names that contain more than 8 characters and a 3-character extension. You should shorten .WG2 file names so that they conform to this convention before you convert the files. Note utility The Note Utility in 1-2-3 for OS/2 is not available in 1-2-3 for Windows. The File Translator disregards notes. ***************************************************************** Converting a Freelance Graphics file to and from the PRS and PRE file format ***************************************************************** - To convert a Freelance Graphics file 1. Double-click the File Translator icon that you created. 2. Select the desired Translation Type. * OS/2 PRS to Windows PRE * Windows PRE to OS/2 PRS 3. (Optional) Click the Source Directory Browse button to specify the drive and directory for the existing 1-2-3 file(s) and click OK. 4. Select the desired File Name(s), up to a maximum of 250 at one time. You can also type file names separated by spaces in the File Name text box. 5. (Optional) Click the Destination Directory Browse button to specify the drive and directory where the translated file(s) should be stored and click OK. 6. Click Translate. 7. Click Exit when the File Translator finishes converting the file(s). NOTE: If you installed the File Translator on a network drive, multiple users can run it from the same location. If multiple users concurrently attempt to translate same-named presentation graphics files to the same destination directory, the File Translator displays a message about overwriting an existing file. The 1-2-3 and Freelance File Translator will not convert .PRZ files created using Freelance Graphics 96 Edition. ************************************************ Converting a Freelance Graphics file - Details ************************************************ The File Translator attempts to convert the contents of the entire file. However, where there are differences in functionality between the Freelance Graphics for OS/2 and Freelance Graphics for Windows releases, some content may be disregarded or altered during the translation process. - General information Chart titles and labels Chart titles and axis labels may not be positioned identically when the files are converted. Chart types Chart types may not be identical when the files are converted. Since Freelance Graphics for OS/2 supports more chart types than Freelance Graphics for Windows, the File Translator converts the chart type to one that most closely matches the original. For example, Freelance Graphics for OS/2 supports some 3D chart types, while Freelance Graphics for Windows does not. In this case, the File Translator converts the 3D charts to their corresponding 2D charts. Colors Colors may not be identical when the files are converted. Since Freelance Graphics for Windows supports 256 colors and Freelance Graphics for OS/2 supports 16, the File Translator adjusts the colors to most closely match the original colors. DDE and OLE DDE links and OLE objects are not maintained, since link commands in Freelance Graphics for Windows and Freelance Graphics for OS/2 are implemented in different ways. Fonts The File Translator converts standard fonts available in both Freelance Graphics for Windows and Freelance Graphics for OS/2, such as Helvetica, Times Roman, and Courier. It converts other fonts into available fonts that most closely match the original font sizes. The default font face for PRE files is Arial MT, and the default font face for PRS files is Helv. Graphics The File Translator does not convert bitmaps, metafiles, or other graphics, such as TIF files or PCX files, embedded in the presentation. Graphs The File Translator converts embedded graphs. However, it disregards graph names in a .PRE file, since there is no equivalent functionality in Freelance Graphics for OS/2. The File Translator disregards graphs in a .PRS file saved as separate .GPH files. Lines Line styles and widths, including lines used in line charts and chart gridlines, may not be identical when the files are converted. Patterns Fill patterns for charts and drawn objects may not be identical when the files are converted. Print margins Print margins may not be identical when the files are converted. You can modify them when you open the converted files. Text blocks When you create a default text block in a translated file, both Freelance Graphics for Windows and Freelance Graphics for OS/2 ignore the default font settings. When you create a default text block in a translated PRE file, Freelance Graphics for Windows uses 18-point Helv as the default font. When you create a default text block in a translated PRS file, Freelance Graphics for OS/2 uses 30.1-point mixed-face fonts. - Converting from PRE to PRS format Freelance Graphics for Windows release 2.1 The File Translator ignores the following content in Freelance Graphics for Windows files because there is no equivalent functionality in Freelance Graphics for OS/2: * Chart notes * DDE and OLE links * Doc info * Organization charts * Tables Screen show Freelance Graphics for Windows lets you specify a different delay time for each page of a presentation during a screen show. Freelance Graphics for OS/2 lets you specify only a single delay time between pages during a screen show. The File Translator converts multiple delay times to a single, common delay time. Freelance Graphics for OS/2 does not support screen-show buttons. When the File Translator converts a PRE file to a PRS file, screen-show buttons are lost. Styles and attributes Some style elements in Freelance Graphics for Windows, such as shadows, arrow size, and curved text, are not available in Freelance Graphics for OS/2. The File Translator disregards such elements. Text blocks The appearance of text blocks may be altered when the File Translator converts a file that contains them. If a text block and a graphic appear on the same page, the text may write over the graphic in the converted file. Similarly, if a text block appears at the bottom of a page, it may flow over onto the next page in the converted file. You can fix the appearance of text blocks when you open the PRS file. Simply select the text block and change its font size. - Converting from PRS to PRE format Chart legends Freelance Graphics for Windows does not support positioning a chart legend at the top of a chart. The File Translator moves legends that appear at the top of a chart to the right of the chart. File names Freelance Graphics for Windows cannot open files with names that contain more than 8 characters and a 3-character extension. You should shorten .PRS file names so that they conform to this convention before you convert the files.