This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Converting Documents on Open
Because WordPerfect isn't the only word processing application available, you're likely to need to share documents with someone using another application such as Microsoft Word. Thankfully, WordPerfect 12 includes the most comprehensive set of conversion filters available for Microsoft Word documents.
NOTE
I want to draw your attention to the fact that WordPerfect hasn't changed its file format since version 6. If you are working with files from WordPerfect versions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, no conversion is necessary. Minor formatting changes in the converted document are usually traced back to the change of printer driver.
You might also be surprised at how many WordPerfect users are still using older versions of the program. Some companies are resistant to change, and others are limited by the computing power of their systems. Thousands, if not millions, of local government employees are quite happily using WordPerfect 7 and 8.
Thanks to WordPerfect's built-in file conversion feature, you can open nearly every kind of word processing document. All you have to do is open the file and let WordPerfect's conversion filters do all the work. Bear in mind that if your copy of WordPerfect was free with a new computer, you might not have the full-blown set of filters found in the Standard, Professional, or Academic versions of the WordPerfect Office 12 suite.
When you save a converted document, WordPerfect asks whether you want to save it in the latest WordPerfect format (WordPerfect 6/7/8/9/10/11/12) or in the original format from which it was converted. If you are returning the document to someone who isn't using WordPerfect, select the original format and click OK.
Installing Additional Conversion Filters
If you get an "Invalid format" error message when you try to open a file in a different format, you might need to install additional conversion filters. The complete set of filters is not installed with the suite because of space considerations. The Family Pack and Productivity Pack versions install everything by default, so you might need to upgrade to the full suite to get the conversion filters that you need.
To install additional conversion filters
Insert the CD in the drive.
When the Setup program starts, click Modify.
In the list box, click the plus sign next to Filters.
Click the drop-down arrow next to Word Processors and choose This Feature Will Be Installed on the Local Hard Drive.
Click Next, Install.
When the install is finished, the new filters are integrated into WordPerfect, and they are now ready to use.
Using the WordPerfect Office Conversion Utility
One of the most useful components in WordPerfect Office 12 is a conversion utility that lets you convert batches of files, instead of opening them one at a time. You can convert files to a variety of different WordPerfect formats, including early DOS and Macintosh versions. The conversion utility is a separate program from WordPerfect, so you start it from Windows.
To run the conversion utility and convert a batch of files
Choose Start, (All) Programs, WordPerfect Office 12, Utilities.
Click Conversion Utility to start the program. The WordPerfect Office Conversion Utility dialog box opens (see Figure 3.8).
Click the Add button to browse your system and create the list of files to convert. You can select files from different folders to build the list.
If necessary, open the Convert to drop-down list and choose another WP file format.
If necessary, click the Options button and make your selections.
Choose OK to convert the files.
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Figure
3.8 Use the WordPerfect Office Conversion Utility to convert batches of
files to WordPerfect formats.
In WordPerfect 12, the conversion utility is also available from within WordPerfect—via a button on the Microsoft Word Compatibility toolbar.
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Figure
3.9 The Conversion Utility button on the Microsoft Word Compatibility
toolbar makes it easy to convert multiple files to WordPerfect.
CAUTION
Be sure that your older WordPerfect files have a .wpd extension, or they might not convert properly.