Microsoft KB Archive/28658

DOS Works and Macintosh Works File Compatibility PSS ID Number: Q28658 Article last modified on 04-21-1992 PSS database name: D_WorKs

1.05

MS-DOS

Summary:

The following article discusses file compatibility of Microsoft Works for IBM PCs and compatibles Version 1.05 (termed “DOS Works” in this article) and Microsoft Works for the Macintosh (termed “Macintosh Works” in this article) as it affects databases, spreadsheets, and word processors.

Note that this information does not directly apply to Microsoft Works version 2.00; information on this topic for Microsoft Works version 2.00 is provided seperately of this article.

More Information:

Databases
DOS Works can interpret Macintosh Works text files because Macintosh Works saves a database with tabs, which DOS Works can read. DOS Works delimits commas when it saves the database as text. However, Macintosh Works does not properly read text files that use commas as delimiters; tabs and spaces are the only delimiters that it can read properly. To transfer a DOS Works database to Macintosh Works requires the following steps be taken:


 * 1) Save the DOS Works database in text format.
 * 2) Load the text file into the word processor.
 * 3) Replace the commas with tabs.
 * 4) Save the file in text format.
 * 5) Load the file into Macintosh Works.

Spreadsheets
Direct file compatibility does not exist. However, a workaround is possible. DOS Works saves spreadsheets only in .WKS format. Macintosh Works saves spreadsheets only in SYLK format. Therefore, any application that reads SYLK and saves as .WKS (or vice versa) is an acceptable intermediate step. The following programs do this:

DOS Macintosh — ———

Excel Excel Multiplan MacLink Plus (or equivalent)

Word Processing
There are two options available to transfer word processor files between Macintosh Works and DOS Works:

  On DOS Works, save the WP, DB, or SS file as an ASCII text file, by using File Save As and choosing Text in the Format box. On Macintosh Works, save the WP, DB, or SS file by using File Save As and choosing the Export option. The WP saves as straight ASCII unless you select the RTF option. The DB saves as a tab delimited ASCII file (with carriage returns at the end of each record). The SS saves as ASCII or as SYLK. Files that were Captured Text from the Communication module are ASCII.   Use the word processor file conversion program (WPTOWP) to convert the file from RTF format to the Works word processor format. 

WPTOWP is now available. Those who use DOS Works should have received this convert utility as soon as it was available, provided you sent in the Works Registration Card included with the program. If you need this convert utility and have not yet received it, contact Microsoft Customer Service at (800) 426-9400 or (206) 936-8661 (for international customers only).

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1992.