[comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d] WP conversion to earlier version

rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Richard Sucgang) (05/28/91)

Is there a utility to convert WP 5.x files to 4.2 or even just text for
import?

Thanks?. 


-rich
Richard Sucgang : Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Columbia University (sucgang@cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu; 
de slime god         rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu)

JGF1@psuvm.psu.edu (05/28/91)

Just hit CONTROL-F5 when your document is on the screen.  You can save it in
WP 5.0, 4.2 or just plain text..

morris@grian.cps.altadena.ca.us (Mike Morris) (05/29/91)

rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Richard Sucgang) writes:

>Is there a utility to convert WP 5.x files to 4.2 or even just text for
>import?

>Thanks?. 

>-rich
>Richard Sucgang : Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology
>Columbia University (sucgang@cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu; 
>de slime god         rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu)

RTFM.

In WP5.1 use ^F5 and follow the menus.  There is a save in version 4.2
format option.  You can also save the current document in DOS text.

-- 
Mike Morris   WA6ILQ   | This space intentionally left blank.
PO Box 1130            | 
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fisher@sc2a.unige.ch (05/30/91)

In article <1991May28.030832.26541@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>, rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Richard Sucgang) writes:
> Is there a utility to convert WP 5.x files to 4.2 or even just text for
> import?

As other people have already mentioned, WP 5.x is, of course, capable to
convert it's files to older formats.  As a side note, one could add that
the "intuitive" save to `dos file' (i.e. ascii) is not the best solution
in most cases, as the `soft returns' are converted to CR-LF sequences
(or `hard returns' in WP-terminology).  The way to convert text files to
be formatted by another word processor is to use the `generic text' option,
which leaves paragraphs as (very) long lines and doesn't convert tabs to
spaces.

The companion program CONVERT does not have the `generic text' option, which
makes it useless as a stand-alone converter.

Of course, you don't have WP 5.x, or you wouldn't be asking.  The solutions
you have are :

- Find someone with WP 5.x to have your texts converted, or ask the people
  that send you the files to convert them before sending (remember: use
  `WP 4.2' or `generic text', not `dos file' option).  You will certainly
  find some owner of WP 5.x close to you over the net, just remember to
  post to a local group to avoid expoding you mail-box.

- If the convert program is enough, ask WP Corporation if you can get the
  CONVERT of WP 5.1 as a service to a registered user (who knows).

- Finally, there is at least one WP specialist producing shareware with
  the technical knowledge to write a WP 5.x to `generic text' converter.
  He has downloaded a set of WP utils at Simtel20 (192.88.110.20) in the
  directory MSDOS.WORDPERF: WPTOOLS5.ZIP.  If you want to ask him, the
  address in the docs is: David Seidman / Software by Seidman / 2737
  Devonshire Place, N.W. / Washington, D.C. 20008.  He might even have
  that piece of shareware handy.

Good luck anyways,

Markus G. Fischer, Dept of Anthropology, Geneva CH     fisher@sc2a.unige.ch