WD: MacWord 6.0: Converting from Other Versions/Formats

Q119336

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

This article contains questions and answers about converting files in other formats to Microsoft Word for the Macintosh format.


MORE INFORMATION

  1. Q. How do I convert my Word 4.x and 5.x for the Macintosh or Word for Windows(TM) files to Word 6.0 for the Macintosh format?

    A. Word comes with converters for Word 4.x and 5.x for the Macintosh and Word 2.x for Windows. To convert these (and most other) types of documents, you simply open them in Word 6.0 for the Macintosh. Word handles the conversion automatically, preserving the original content and formatting. Most of the time, Word recognizes the file format, converts the document, and displays it in a Word window. If the converter you need was not installed when you installed Word, Word displays the Convert File dialog box and asks you to choose a converter. To install additional converters, you need to run Word Setup again. For information about installing components, double- click the Help button on the Standard toolbar, type setup, and press ENTER twice.

    If you have installed all the converters that come with Word and you still don't see the one you need, you may be able to obtain it on a supplemental disk. For instructions about how to obtain supplemental converters and graphics filters that were not shipped with Word, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar, and then type readme. Press ENTER twice, and then click File Conversion.

    NOTE: Word Setup does not install any file converters if you performed a Typical or Minimum installation. If the converter you need is not installed, run Word Setup again.

    For more information about converting files in Word 6.0 for the Macintosh, refer to one of the following resources:


  2. Q. How do I convert my Word 6.0 for the Macintosh files to other file formats, including Word 4.x or 5.x for the Macintosh or Word for Windows?

    A. By using the converters supplied with Word for the Macintosh, you can save Word documents in other file formats and preserve as much formatting as the other application can support. To save a file in another file format, including Word 4.x or 5.x for the Macintosh or Word 2.x for Windows format, you simply use the Save As command: Choose Save As On the File menu, select a file format in the Save File As Type box, type a name for the file, and then choose the Save button.

    If the file format you need does not appear in the Save File As Type box, the converter is not installed. To install additional converters, run Word Setup again. For information about installing components, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar, type setup, and press ENTER twice.

    If you have installed all the converters that come with Word and you still don't see the one you need, you may be able to obtain it on a supplemental disk. For instructions about how to obtain supplemental converters and graphics filters that were not shipped with Word, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar, and then type readme. Press ENTER twice, and then click File Conversion.

    NOTE: Word Setup does not install any file converters if you performed a Typical or Minimum installation. If the converter you need is not installed, run Word Setup again.

    Word recognizes the file formats of many common word- processing, spreadsheet, database, and page-layout programs. If you need to transfer documents between Word and applications for which specific converters aren't available, you can also import and export documents in plain-text formats. Plain-text formats retain the text of a document without most of the formatting. These formats are also useful for transferring documents when using electronic mail systems.

    Refer to one of the following resources for more information about converting files in Word 6.0 for the Macintosh:


  3. Q. How do I convert my dictionaries from an earlier version of Word for the Macintosh or from Word for Windows?

    A. In Word 6.0 for the Macintosh, you can use your dictionaries from Word 4.x or 5.x for the Macintosh and from Word 6.0 for Windows. For instructions about opening and using a custom dictionary, order this set of questions and answers; see Chapter 5, "Editing and Proofing Tools," in the "Microsoft Word User's Guide," or double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar and then type custom dictionaries.

    To install a custom dictionary from Word 4.x or 5.x for the Macintosh:

    1. Open a new document based on the Normal template by choosing the New button on the Standard toolbar.


    2. From the Tools menu, choose Options.


    3. Select the Spelling tab.


    4. Under Custom Dictionaries, choose the Add button.


    5. From the List Files Of Type box, select All Files.


    6. Select the custom dictionary you want to use in Word 6.0 and then choose the Open button.

      Word adds the dictionary to the Custom Dictionary in the Tools Options dialog box and selects the check box next to it. When this happens, the custom dictionary is ready to use in Word.


    7. Choose OK.


    To install a custom dictionary from Word 6.0 for Windows:


    1. Transfer the custom dictionary to the Macintosh environment using a file transfer utility such as Apple(R) File Exchange.


    2. Start Word 6.0 for the Macintosh.


    3. Follow steps 1 through 7 in the previous procedure, "To install a custom dictionary from Word 4.x or 5.x for the Macintosh."


  4. Q. How do I convert my glossaries from an earlier version of Word for the Macintosh?

    A. In Word 6.0, glossaries are now called AutoText entries. To convert your glossaries from earlier versions of Word for the Macintosh to AutoText entries, simply open the glossary file in Word 6.0. Choose OK when Word displays the following message:
    The user-defined glossary entries in this file will be converted to AutoText entries, and stored in the current template, <Template Name>. Built-in glossary entries are available via the Insert Date and Time or Insert Field commands.
    For additional information, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar. Then type glossary.

    NOTE: In Word 5.x for the Macintosh, glossaries are usually located in the program folder, which may be titled "Microsoft Word," "Word 5.1," or a similar name.


  5. Q. How do I convert my settings files and default styles from earlier versions of Word for the Macintosh so I can use them in Word 6.0?

    A. To use your Word 5.0 or 5.1 settings files, including default styles, in Word 6.0 for the Macintosh, save the settings in a document template. To do this, open the settings file in Word 6.0, then save the file in Document Template file format. When you open your settings file, Word displays the following message:
    Would you prefer to merge the settings and styles in this file into the current template, <Template Name>, or to save them to a new template?
    Choose the Merge To Current button to save your settings in the current template, or choose the Save button to save your settings in a new Word template. In either case, be sure to save the template in your Template folder.

    NOTE: In Word 6.0 for the Macintosh, you can convert settings files from Word 5.0 or 5.1 only. You cannot convert Word 4.x settings files.

    When you base a new document on the template, you can use many of the customized menu and keyboard shortcuts you stored in the settings file. Some menu and keyboard settings, however, cannot be used in Word 6.0. Preferences and other options you saved in the settings file, such as spelling and grammar options, are not saved in the template.

    For additional information, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar, then type settings.


  6. Q. How do I convert stationery documents to templates?

    A. If you used stationery in earlier versions of Word, consider converting the stationery to a Word template. To convert the stationery to a Word template, choose Save As from the File menu, and then select Document Template in the Save File As Type box.

    For additional information, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar. Then type stationary.


  7. Q. How do I convert my Word 5.x envelope address lists so I can use them in Word 6.0?

    A. To use addresses generated with the Create Envelope command in Word version 5.1, convert them to AutoText entries in Word 6.0 using the Word 5.1 Upgrade template, which is located in the Macros folder in the Word program folder. To use the macros in the Word 5.1 Upgrade template, choose Open On the File menu and open the 5.1 Upgrade template. Then follow the directions in the template. Before you convert the addresses, make sure your Word 5.1 Word Toolbar Prefs file is in the Preferences folder in the System Folder.

    For additional information about converting Word 5.1 address lists, double-click the Help button on the Standard toolbar. Then type address lists.

    For information about using these addresses when you print envelopes, see "Using Addresses from Word 5.1 for the Macintosh," in Chapter 23, "Printing," of the "Microsoft Word User's Guide."


Additional query words:

Keywords : kbappnote kbinterop macword word6
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Last Reviewed: November 4, 2000
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