Automatic Date Conversion Utility Script


Because of the various methods used by different spreadsheet 
programs to represent dates, care must be taken to accurately 
convert to Wingz any SYLK, WKS, or WK1 formatted files that were 
created using Microsoft  Excel, Full Impact, or Lotus 1-2-3.  The 
DateConv.scz utility script is provided to facilitate the accurate 
conversion of SYLK, WKS, and WK1 formatted files, and are only 
necessary if those files contain dates.  To use the DateConv.scz utility 
script, follow the steps below:

1.  Load the worksheet to be converted.



2.  Choose Run Script from the Script menu.  Select the DateConv.scz 
script in the DateConv subdirectory of the Utilities directory.



3.  A dialog box appears, allowing you to choose the type of date 
conversion needed for your file.  Click on the File Source:



-  "Excel" to correct dates in SYLK, WKS, and WK1 files generated by 
Excel 1.5, as well as Excel 2.2 when the starting date option is 1904.



-  "Lotus" to correct dates in WKS and WK1 files generated by Lotus 
1-2-3.



-  "Full Impact" to correct dates in WKS and WK1 files generated by 
Full Impact.

If you are transferring an Excel 2.2 SYLK, WKS, or WK1 file using the 
1900 date option, select "Lotus" as the file source.  Any custom date 
format used in this type of file is not converted.
 


IMPORTANT:  No adjustments are made to cells that are formatted as 
dates and contain formulas or text.  Instead, date formatted cells that 
contain formulas are flagged, enabling you to visually verify the cell 
contents.



If any date formatted cells that contain formulas or text are 
encountered, a new file will be created containing a list of those cells 
and their contents.  You should then verify that none of the listed 
cells contain hard coded references to non-standard date serial 
numbers.  If a hardcoded reference is found in a converted Excel or 
Full Impact worksheet, you must add 1462 to the hardcoded date 
number.  If a hardcoded reference is found in a converted Lotus 1-2-
3 worksheet, you must add 1 to the date number, IF THE DATE IS 
PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 1900.

{ Version info: @(#)DATE.README	2.1.2.1 95/05/11 }