Microsoft KB Archive/67919

Using the DOSWord 5.0/5.5 WordStar Converters

PSS ID Number: Q67919 Article last modified on 06-08-1999

WINDOWS:5.0,5.5

WINDOWS

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.5 on the following platforms: MS-DOS ——————————————————————————-

= SUMMARY =

The following are instructions for using the WordStar/Word RTF file conversion programs provided on the WordStar Converters disk of the Microsoft Word version 5.5 Conversion Program Kit. These utilities are designed to convert documents to and from Word version 5.5, but they can also be used with Word version 5.0 files.

= MORE INFORMATION =

To use a WordStar conversion utility, copy the appropriate conversion program to the Word program directory or to the disk containing the document or documents that need to be converted. The following converters are available:

WS_RTF.EXE - WordStar versions 3.3, 3.45, 4.0 (Professional), 5.0, or 5.5 files to Word format

RTF_WS.EXE - Word files to WordStar 3.3, 3.45, 4.0 (Professional), 5.0, or 5.5 format

To start a converter, type the following at the MS-DOS prompt:

Progname SourceFile DestinationFile Switch

For example, to convert a WordStar 5.5 file titled WORDSTAR.DOC to RTF format so that it can be opened in Microsoft Word, type the following:

ws_rtf wordstar.doc letter.doc ws5.5

“Progname” is the name of one of the converter programs. The file must be in the current directory or on the MS-DOS path. The naming convention is as follows:

RTF_Prog for converting from RTF to a specific word processor

Prog_RTF for converting from a specific word processor to RTF

“SourceFile” is the name of the document to be converted. The document name can include a path; otherwise, the document must be in the current directory. Wildcards are not supported.

“DestinationFile” is the name of the converted document; it must differ from the SourceFile name. A path can be included.

“Switch” is a variable used to indicate the version of the word processor file. The following are the switches to use for each WordStar version.

For best results, before running a conversion utility, make sure the CONFIG.SYS file contains the following line:

FILES=20

If this line is not in the CONFIG.SYS system file, add it to the file before running the converter.

Also, before using the converter for the first time, verify that the computer’s AUTOEXEC.BAT file contains the following line:

SET TMP=dir

where “dir” is the path and directory name where TMP files are stored. If this line is not in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, create a directory for TMP files, and then use Word to add the SET TMP command to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file (save the file in text-only format).

If you make any changes, reboot the computer so that the changes can take effect before running the converter.

Repaginate your document before and after you convert the file.

Run the converter from the MS-DOS prompt. To run the converter from Word using MS-DOS file commands, there must be at least 100K memory free after you start Word.

For more information on this converter and its limitations, see the the README.DOC text file on the WordStar Converters disk.

The Word for MS-DOS version 5.5 Conversions Program Kit can be ordered. To obtain pre-sales information about new or updated Microsoft products, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. If you are outside the United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. To locate your subsidiary, see the Microsoft World Wide Offices Web site at:

http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.htm

Additional query words: 5.00 5.50 Converter Convert Transfer textconv noupd d_word

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Version : WINDOWS:5.0,5.5 Platform : WINDOWS ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.