qpw

README.md

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ Various spreadsheet file format notes.
 
 - [Data Interchange Format (DIF)](/dif/README.md)
 - [Lotus WK# formats](/lotus/README.md)
+- [Quattro Pro QPW format](/qpw/README.md)
 - [Symbolic Link (SLK/SYLK)](/sylk/README.md)
 - [XLSB Short Records](/xlsb_short_records/README.md)
 - [Number Formats](/ssf/README.md)

qpw/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Quattro Pro File Format
+
+QPW workbooks are structurally similar to other binary formats like Lotus WK\#
+
+### CFB Container
+
+Modern QPW files use the same CFB container as XLS.
+
+The actual stream name has changed over the years but the typical names are
+`PerfectOffice_MAIN` and `NativeContent_MAIN`.
+
+## Stream Structure
+
+Like Lotus, the QPW stream consists of an array of records with 16-bit lengths
+and 16-bit record types.
+
+For QPW streams, the BOF version field typically encodes "QPW" in ASCII.
+
+### Record Organization
+
+Each file is divided into a notebooks (typically one notebook per file).  Each
+notebook is divided into a series of worksheets.
+
+Each worksheet is divided into a series of columns and data cells are stored
+within each column block.
+
+Each part of the file is wrapped with beginning and ending records.  The end
+record type is typically one larger than the beginning record type.
+
+| Part      | Begin Type | End Type |
+|:----------|-----------:|---------:|
+| File      |   `0x0001` | `0x0002` |
+| Notebook  |   `0x0401` | `0x0402` |
+| Worksheet |   `0x0601` | `0x0602` |
+| Column    |   `0x0A01` | `0x0A02` |
+
+### Data Records
+
+Record `0x0407` encodes the shared string table, scoped to the notebook.
+
+Record `0x0C01` encodes multiple cells, similar to XLS `MulRk`. It is contained
+in a column block.
+
+## Resources
+
+Notes were included as part of the WordPerfect Office SDK. In older versions of
+WordPerfect Office Suite, the SDK was included as part of the Professional 
+Edition (but not the standard edition).  For recent releases, the only way to
+obtain the documentation is to inquire with Corel Corporation.