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Q73138: Loading Lotus 1-2-3 Files Using File Associate from Windows

Article: Q73138
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 06-NOV-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a 
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SUMMARY
=======

You cannot load files directly into Lotus 1-2-3 versions 3.0 and 3.1 using the
File Associate command in Windows File Manager.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Some applications accept command line parameters to load a specific file. For
example, typing

  c:>word test.doc

loads a document file named TEST into Microsoft Word.

Lotus 1-2-3 versions 3.0 and 3.1 do not support filenames as a command line
parameter to load files directly. Attempting to load a file called TEST.WK3 into
Lotus 1-2-3 version 3.0 or 3.1 by typing

  c:>123 test.wk3

produces the following error:

  Cannot load DCF file-run Install

A similar MS-DOS-based error occurs if you attempt to load .WK3 files from
Windows File Manager using the File Associate Command. This is a limitation of
Lotus 1-2-3 versions 3.0 and 3.1 and is not a Windows problem.

Lotus works around this problem with the use of a 123.BAT batch file and an
AUTO123.WK3 auto-execute macro. The 123.BAT file creates a text file with the
name and path of the file to be loaded and then loads 123.EXE. The AUTO123.WK3
file reads the filename and path information from the text file and loads the
desired file.

In Windows File Manager, the File Associate command associates .WK3 files with
123.BAT instead of 123.EXE.

Specific information on the creation of the 123.BAT file and the AUTO123.WK3 is
available from Lotus in a technical note called "Loading a 123 3.0 File from the
Command Line".

For more information, contact Lotus technical support.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft;
we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance
or reliability.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.0 3.0a 3.00a 3rdparty

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a

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