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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Thank you so much for your post. It helped me and your instructions are so clear.
I troied Zamzar but it is not supported on Firefox.
Tried it but after four hours still havnt received the email ?
Check your spam folder and/or try again.
Well it said it converted the file correctly but it did not – the result was the same jibberish that I get when opening the file in Word 2007. This is a WPS file that Works 7 will open OK – maybe the problem is that it contains some MS Wordart? That’s all I can think of – its a devil of a problem to solve.
Just for interest and for the person who mentioned virus and malware above, my McAfee complained about the Zamzar site and said it had been tested and might be associated with what some people would consider malware etc.
You’re probably safe from that hypothetical malware as long as you’re not downloading executables from the website or using everyone’s favourite insecure web browser (IE).
As for the conversion problems, Zamzar webmaster(s) would probably be much better qualified at answering questions like that.
My comment about McAfee applies regardless of the browser being used – McAfee (who are a reasonably reputable organisation) put out the warning and my comment was really just intended to flesh out the earlier comments with a fact or two rather than a nebulous warning which may or may not have been based on fact. White Shadow was asking why the previous poster thought the site might be propagating viruses etc.
Back to Zamzar – I have since discovered that Microsoft have removed MSWordArt and MS Draw components from Works versions 8.5 and later – I think this is probably why people using these versions are having trouble opening their documents – it is also possible that Zamzar are using similar routines and therefore suffer from the same problem – the above routines were removed because they are 16 bit code and Microsoft did not want to update them. the Quickview application from Avantstar is able to diaplay documents using the above components, but it does not appear to have a capability to convert and save the files in another format – the only exception seems to be when printing them when you can use a printing application like CutePDF to ‘print’ a PDF version of the viewed document – its possible this may suffer from some formatting issues though.
@Gil Higham – I have used zamzar.com multiple times with multiple versions of Firefox. Perhaps you have javascript disabled – are you running an extension called “NoScript”, if so enable javascript temporarily when you visit the zamzar site.
To read works files using Open Office, you will need a version that supports this feature, as the standard version now does not. See this link;
http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/FAQ/Writer/DocumentManagement/How_can_I_open_Microsoft_Works_wordprocessor_files_%28.wps%29%3F
I absolutely am in awe of this site, totally gonna have to remember to add this to my blogroll.
Thanks as a MAC user the Zamzar was perfect – moments to use and get a doc conversion. Solved a regular problem. will bookmark this blog. Thanks again
Wow, thanks a bunch m8 🙂
WOW, I was sceptical of the Zamzar working and have had no luck trying to open this file for the last hour or so.
Used the Zamzar converter website and didnt expect to get the email with my converted file, and after just a few mintues, there it was.
Thank you for you help.
Dee
Zamzar was excellent! Thank you for recommending it! I thought I’d never get my WPS document converted.
Sorry but I’ll never trust sending over an important document into a website for conversion. They may keep a local copy and data-mine it or sell it and do whatever they please. Why isn’t there a safer local standalone program that can do this?
Thanks for the info about Zamar — this really helped!
Very useful advice. Received a .wps attachment (an important but not a ‘sensitive’ one) on a Mac, used Zamzar via this site. Quick and easy to upload, and the converted document was ready in the time it took to make a cup of coffee. Problem solved, many thanks.
Thanks for the Zamar link, worked great to convert the file into doc and openoffice formats. Took only a few seconds for me to received the converted link. Have not received any spam that I can associate from Zamar. Thank you!
Zamzar sounds like what I need to change my Microsoft works .wps files to .doc. The problem is, it isn’t free! When I clicked to register, there was no indication of “free” But they do show a table where one can choose the $7.00 a month, or a policy costing more. But no place to register for the freeby. So I’m still looking for a free version.
Folks. I have tried for a long time to get old WPS versions to work. I will try multiple ways and get back to this forum as to my results.