WD98: Common Questions About Word File Converters (184402)

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1. Q. What is the best way to share documents between Word 98 Macintosh Edition and earlier versions of Word?
   
   A. The best way to share documents between Word 98 Macintosh Edition and earlier versions of Word for the Macintosh is to use the Word 97-98 import converter. The best way to share documents between Word 98 Macintosh Edition and earlier versions of Word for Windows is to use the Word 97 import converter.
   
   When you use these import converters, earlier versions of Word can read Word 98 Macintosh Edition or Word 97 for Windows documents directly. There are several advantages to this method:
   • The file size does not increase. That is, the file will be no larger than when you saved it.
   • You will not have to remember to use the Save As command to save the file in a different format. You just save the document as a Word document.
   • With the Word 97-98 import converter, you can use Word 5.x for the Macintosh or Word 6.0 for the Macintosh to open Word 98 Macintosh Edition or Word 97 for Windows documents easily.
   • With the Word 97 import converter, you can use Word 6.0 for Windows or Word for Windows 95 (7.0) to open Word 97 for Windows and Word 98 Macintosh Edition documents easily.
   • Because you don't have to save your document in a different format, you avoid the prompt that asks whether you want to overwrite the existing format with a new format.
   • Using the Word 98 import converter is the best way to preserve formatting from Word 98 documents. This gives you the best results when you move documents from Word 98 Macintosh Edition to an earlier version of Word.
   For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   184401 WD98: How to Open a Document in an Earlier Version of Word

2. Q. Where can I obtain the import converter for my version of Word?
   
   A. The converter is an executable file that automatically installs the converter on your computer.
   
   For additional information about how to obtain the Word 97-98-2000 Import Converter for earlier versions of Word for the Macintosh, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   184128 WD: How to Obtain the Word 97-98-2000 Converter

   For additional information about how to obtain the Word 97-2000 Import Converter for earlier versions of Word for Windows, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   162214 WD: How to Obtain the Word 97-2000 Import Converter

3. Q. How does the Word import converter work?
   
   A. Please see one or both of the following sections:
   
   

   A Word 98 Macintosh Edition Document Opened in Word for the Macintosh

   You can work on a document in Word 98 Macintosh Edition and save it as a "Word Document" (Word 98 native format). You can then take this document to another computer running an earlier version of Word for the Macintosh with the Word 97-98-2000 import converter installed. You can open the Word 98 Macintosh Edition document in the earlier version of Word directly. You can work on it, and when you save the document, save it as a "Word Document" (Word 5.x or Word 6.0 native format). Because Word 98 Macintosh Edition can read Word 5.x and Word 6.0 for the Macintosh files without a converter, you can then take the document back to the computer running Word 98, open the document, work on it, and once again save the document as a "Word Document" (Word 98 native format). On both computers, you save your document in native Word Document format.

   A Word 98 Macintosh Edition Document Opened in Word for Windows

   You can work on a document in Word 98 Macintosh Edition and save it as a "Word Document" (Word 98 native format). You can then take this document to another computer running an earlier version of Word for Windows with the Word 97 import converter installed. You can open the Word 98 Macintosh Edition document in the earlier version of Word for Windows directly. You can work on it, and when you save the document, save it as a "Word Document" (Word 6.0 or Word 7.0 for Windows native format). Because Word 98 Macintosh Edition can read Word 6.0 and Word 7.0 for Windows files without a converter, you can then take the document back to the computer running Word 98 Macintosh Edition, open the document, work on it, and once again save the document as a "Word Document" (Word 98 Macintosh Edition native format). On both computers, you save your document in native Word Document format.
4. Q. When I double-click the Word 97-98 Converter Installer, a Setup program runs. What files does this Setup program install?
   
   A. The installer program installs the Word 97-98 Import Converter to either Word 5.x for the Macintosh or Word 6.0 for the Macintosh. This Setup program also installs a Readme file called "Word 97-98 Import Read Me". For more information, see the Word 97-98 Import Read Me file installed with the Word 97-98 import converter.
   
   For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   184329 WD6x: Files Installed by the Word 97-98 Import Converter

5. Q. In Word 98 Macintosh Edition, I can use the Save As command (on the File menu) and save a file in the Word 6.0/95 format. When is this a good method to use?
   
   A. This is a good method to use if you do not have the Word 97-98-2000 Import Converter installed on the computer running the earlier version of Word. However, it is recommended that you install and use the Word 97-98-2000 Import Converter on those systems on which you do not have Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition installed.
6. Q. What is RTF (Rich Text Format)?
   
   A. The Rich Text Format (RTF) standard is a method of encoding formatted text and graphics for easy transfer between MS-DOS, Windows, Windows 95, OS/2, and Apple Macintosh applications.
   
   The RTF standard provides a format for text and graphics interchange that can be used with different output devices, operating environments, and operating systems. RTF uses the ANSI, PC-8, Macintosh, or IBM PC character set to control the representation and formatting of a document, both on the screen and in print. With the RTF standard, you can transfer documents created under different operating systems and with different software.
7. Q. Where can I find more information about available Word converters?
   
   A. Additional information about file converters is available from the following sources:
   • The Microsoft Office 97 Resource Kit (ORK) contains the necessary information about Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition. The ORK is available on the Microsoft Web site at:

     http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/

     For more information about how to obtain the Office Resource Kit (ISBN: 1-57231-329-3), call (800) MS-PRESS in the United States or (800) 667-1115 in Canada.
   • The Microsoft Office Macintosh Edition Web page contains links to additional converters available for Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition which is available at:

     http://www.microsoft.com/macoffice/default.asp

8. Q. Where can I find more information about formatting that is retained through the conversion process?
   
   A. More information about sharing documents is available from the following sources:
   • In Word, click Contents And Index on the Help menu (or on the Balloon Help menu if you are using a version of the Macintosh operating system earlier than 8.0), click the Index button in Word Help, type the following text

     saving documents, other

     and then click Show Topics. Select the topic you want to know more about, and click Go To. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.
   • Chapters 15 and 21 of the Office Resource Kit also contain information about formatting that is retained through the conversion process. The ORK is available on the Microsoft Web site at:

     http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/

     For more information about how to obtain the Office Resource Kit (ISBN: 1-57231-329-3), call (800) MS-PRESS in the United States or (800) 667-1115 in Canada.