WPS Files Explained | Convert WPS To Doc For Free
What Does The WPS File Extension Mean?
WPS files are text documents similar to Microsoft Word .DOC files, though the WPS format isn’t as sophisticated and lacks advanced formatting options. Documents with the .wps file type are created by Microsoft Works Word Processor (versions 6.0 – 8.0). Microsoft has recently discontinued the WPS file format in favor of the DOC format that Microsoft Word uses.
I’ve heard some versions of MS Word can open a .wps file right away, but in most cases you’ll need to install an extra file converter to do that. I looked around for free converters and found that most of the links didn’t work anymore because Microsoft had moved the converter to a different page. Never fear, I got the right link(s) in the end, displayed below for your enjoyment.
What’s more, I also found a free online WPS converter that could be very useful for Mac or Linux users who can’t install the MS-provided converter, or people who don’t have MS Word.
How To Convert WPS to DOC
If you don’t have access to MS Works, you will need to convert the .wps file to some other format before you can open it. Microsoft provides several free converters and tools for this purpose (MS Windows required) –
- Microsoft Works 6-9 File Converter – Lets you open and edit .wps files in Word.
- Word Viewer 2007 – a standalone application that can open WPS files (not all versions though).
- All MS Works-related downloads – some other utilities.
Fortunately there is a free online converter that can convert a .wps file to a .doc file (or even a PDF file) – Zamzar.com. It works like this – you choose a WPS file from your computer, choose the file format to convert to, enter your email address and receive the converted file within minutes. I’ve already written about Zamzar previously – it’s a very useful free tool that can convert many different file formats.
Random tidbit of info : This is another post in my unofficial file extension-related tutorial series. Check out the related links below for other posts like this (that is if for some reason you enjoy reading about file formats 😉 Well, somebody could. Maybe.)
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I found this amazing website it is a WEB 2.0 that supports all media files conversion it is called http://youconvertit.com, they can do the following:
1- Convert document, images, audio, video and Archived files.
2- Convert any Youtube and other Online Video to popular formats or download the video
3- Send file(s) up to 300 MB to friends or post it on any forum for 7 days
4- Convert any type of units (Acceleration, Area, Torque and others)
what makes them amazing is you can add up to 5 different file formats, i used them to convert a document and couple of audio files.
Try them and give me your feedback http://www.youconvertit.com
Looks similar to Zamzar, but with a few more features and a cleaner design.
I’d say it’s good 🙂
but they dont convert WPS
@killar –
I have discovered a way to convert my old wps files to doc files. It is sort of a round about way but works great. I’ve just uploaded the info hoping to help others with the same dilemma.
http://gayleashbach.com/help/convert.html
Good Luck!
but how can one convert a doc file to txt or wps?
Just open the file in Word and go to File -> Save as…, then select “Plain text (*.txt)” or “Works 2000 (*.wps)” from the filetype dropdown.
This probably won’t work with all versions of Office, but it works in the version I have.
@geemarie –
The background texture on your web page makes it absolutely illegible. Please change?
Thanks for your help. Zamzar is WAY EZ to use. Quick and simple!! Again thanks for you help…Technology is wonderful, isn’t it!
I have Open Office .org and Abiword All the documents I had were with
Microsoft Works as that is what came with my PC at the time. Now I have Vista and all has changed. I cannot by Word so now I have all these file
to be changed so I can even open and read them. What can I do? Please help
Hmm, have you tried the Zamzar.com site that I mentioned in the post? Theoretically they have a free online converter that can handle a lot of document formats.
Went to try zamzar.com but it appears to be a virus propagation site.
http://WWW.youconvertit.com is not currently functional
Why do you think zamzar.com propagates viruses? I didn’t notice anything suspicious myself.
Zamzar works fine, you don’t have to download anything except for the file LINKED TO FROM YOUR email INBOX, I’ve used it for a long time (stupid works came preinstalled on Vista Basic, and took three times longer to open .doc). Haven’t even gotten spam that I could isolate to have come from them. Of course, it’s encrusted with adverts (some rather LOUD and annoying), but no ‘wares. If a virus started showing up, you probably downloaded it before you visited.
Alternatively to using works, you might consider Open Office, which is the open-source answer to the Microsoft Suite, with .doc supported Writer, powerpoint editor, poster maker, spreadsheet, formula creator (I haven’t played with that much) and more. It’s released by Sun Technologies (the same guys who brought us Java). http://www.openoffice.org
thank you for the links i’m also using openoffice and wondered why it doesn’t give you the option for WPS files
Thanks, it worked!
Very helpful: thank you. Just received a wps attachment from a contributor to my blog, couldn’t open it (except with BBEdit, which gave me enough to show me it was worth opening) ran a Google search, found you here, went to zamzar, and it was all done and dusted in about two minutes: excellent.
Thanks so much for posting the Zamzar site. Our volunteers have different programs from which we need to share documents. Finally, no photocopy, scanning needed.
This is great! If you’re ever in the Seattle area, late July, come see us.
Thank you so much. You totally saved my life and my sanity. Zamzar rocked.
How do I convert wps to doc w/o microsoft word? I only have Works Word Processor. Help please!
Zamzar did convert .wps files for me but it was in read only mode so I could not edit any of the files. I’ll try the microsoft links you listed above.