Microsoft KB Archive/78839

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WD: All MS-DOS Formatted Files Open as Text with AccessPC

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Q78839

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.1

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SYMPTOMS
When converting MS-DOS file formats, including


 * Microsoft Word for MS-DOS
 * Microsoft Word for Windows
 * WordPerfect for MS-DOS versions 5.0 or 5.1
 * RFT-DCA (DisplayWrite)

into Word for the Macintosh version 5.x, you may be prompted to open the file as Text or Text With Layout. This can happen if you transferred the file to the Macintosh environment using Insignia Solutions Limited's AccessPC program.

CAUSE
This problem occurs because AccessPC version 1.0 assigns MS-DOS files the Macintosh file type TEXT by default.

WORKAROUND
AccessPC version 1.0 provides the ability to associate MS-DOS files ending with a particular file name extension to a specific Macintosh file type and creator.

To create an extension map that allows Word for the Macintosh to successfully recognize and convert the MS-DOS file formats listed in the &quot;Symptoms&quot; section of this article, follow these steps:


 * 1) Double-click the AccessPC icon in your Macintosh System folder to open the AccessPC Control Panel.
 * 2) Click Add.

A window opens allowing you to enter the file name extension for the MS- DOS word processing program from which you want to convert files.
 * 1) Type the extension and click OK.

NOTE: AccessPC provides a mapping for the MS-DOS extension .doc: the default file extension for both Word for MS-DOS and Word for Windows. However, the file type is set to TEXT. Therefore, you will need to remove, then add the .doc extension mapping again.
 * 1) Click the Mac App button and navigate to the folder location of your Word for the Macintosh 5.x program. Click the Word for the Macintosh program icon. AccessPC proposes the Creator MSWD, and File Type TEXT. Click the TEXT icon in the Type list, and hold down the mouse button. Scroll down through the available file types and select WDBN.
 * 2) Click Assign, and close the AccessPC Control Panel.

Repeat steps 1 through 5 for each MS-DOS file format or extension that you want to convert.

Word for Macintosh will now be able to properly recognize and convert any of the MS-DOS file formats listed earlier, provided the files you want to convert have the proper file extensions specified in your AccessPC extension map.

MORE INFORMATION
Whereas most programs running under MS-DOS (including those listed above) use a three-character file name extension to identify files of the same kind, a Macintosh uses a four-character file type and a four-character creator to identify documents of the same type. The creator determines which program is launched when you open the file, and the file type indicates what sort of file the Macintosh program should open.

Support for AccessPC is the sole responsibility of Insignia Solutions Incorporated.

For more information about AccessPC, contact Insignia at

Customer service: (800) 848-7677

Technical support: (415) 694-7694 The third-party contact information included in this article is provided to help you find the technical support you need. This contact information is subject to change without notice. Microsoft in no way guarantees the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

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