WordStar
Conversions

Converting WordStar Files
into Other Formats

Introduction

This page links to resources for transferring WordStar files into the file formats used by other programs. The resources - import/export filters, etc. - aren't provided on this site, but may be obtained from the links below.

Where Microsoft Knowledge Base articles are referred to, these are linked to obtain the article from Microsoft Help by email. For further details see: How to obtain MSKB articles by email. An overview of the contents of all the Knowledge Base articles is on the Microsoft Knowledge Base Articles
Related to WordStar page.

If you are moving to Microsoft Word the WordStar Command Emulator can ease that transition. A number of basic questions about the WordStar Command Emulator are covered here, for full details, see the main FAQ page.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Import/Export to... & Specialist Conversion Programs

Choose your destination file format or current word processor from the list below. If you want specialist conversion programs rather than converters provided by word processor vendors look at the Specialist Conversion Programs list that follows the word processors.

Import or Export to Common Program File Formats
	Microsoft Word
		Word for Windows 2
		Word for Windows 6
		Word for Windows 95
		Word 97 for Windows
		Word 2000
		Word 2002 (Word XP)
		Word 2003
		Word 98 (Mac) (details still being compiled)
		Word 5 for DOS (details still being compiled)
		Word 6 for DOS
	Word Perfect & Corel Draw
		Word Perfect
	Lotus WordPro & AmiPro
		Lotus WordPro (details still being compiled)
		Lotus AmiPro (details still being compiled)
	WordStar
		WordStar for DOS 5 (Star Exchange)
		WordStar for DOS 6 (Star Exchange 4.0)
		WordStar for DOS 7 (Star Exchange 5.0)
		WordStar 2000 for DOS (Star Exchange)
		WordStar for Windows 2.0
	Xoom WordPro 1.0
		Xoom WordPro for Windows 1.0
	Star Office
		Star Office (version 5.2 & later)
	Standard Formats
		Plain Text
		HTML
		RTF
Use Seperate Conversion Utilities
	Specialist Conversion Programs
		WordPort WordStar for DOS & WordStar 2000 to RTF
		KeyView Pro WordStar for DOS 3 & 4 to RTF
		Software Bridge (aka. Star Exchange) WordStar for DOS to RTF
		Conversions Plus WordStar for DOS to RTF
	Free Windows Conversion Programs
		WSCONV HABit WordStar for DOS to Plain Text or HTML
	Free DOS Conversion Programs
		WS-CON WordStar for DOS to Text, RTF, or HTML
		WSUTILS WordStar for DOS to Plain Text
		WSX WordStar for DOS to Plain Text
		WS2HTML WordStar for DOS to HTML Conversion
		View File File viewer with conversion to formatted text
	On-Line Conversion Options
		WordPort WordStar for DOS & WordStar 2000 to RTF

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word for Windows 2

To import or export WordStar 3.3, 3.45, 4.0, 5.0, or 5.5 format documents with microsoft Word for Windows 2 you need to make sure that you've installed the WordStar text import/export filter. This file was available on a supplimental file conversions disk that had to be ordered from Microsoft. If you don't have the disk you can download it from Microsoft's Web site.

To install the filter you will need to copy the file WWCONV.EXE into your Word program directory (usually C:\WINWORD) and then run it. This will extract all of the additional converters in the Zip archive. You can then delete the WWCONV.EXE file (although I'd suggest backing it up to a floppy first).

When you next try to open a WordStar file from within Word 2, Word will add details of the newly installed WordStar filter to the [MSWord Text Converters] section of your WIN.INI file.

If you don't have a WordStar file available to open, or you want to install all the filters in one go, then carry out the following actions:

• Start Word
• Select Tools | Options...
• Select General
• Under Settings... make sure that Confirm File Conversions is selected
• Click OK
• Select File | Open
• Choose the file C:\WINWORD\SETUP.EXE (assuming the default Word directory is used)
• Click OK - the filters will be installed.
• Click Cancel on the Convert File dialog

Full details are in the file COVERLTR.DOC included within the WWCONV.EXE file. This also details conversion limitations.

There are several Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word for Windows 2:

Q78309  : Improvements in Text with Layout Support in WinWord 2.0
Q89857  : Obtaining the WinWord 2.0b Supplemental Conversions Disk
Q93309  : WinWord 2.0b/2.0c Supplemental Offers Coupon
Q96119  : History of WinWord File Converters Categorized by Release
Q135238: Grammar Checker, Word 2.0 Converter Missing from Typical Setup

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word for Windows 6

Microsoft Word for Windows version 6 didn't come with a Wordstar convertor, this having to be ordered seperately. The WordStar filter is now available from Microsoft's ftp site.

To install the filter you will need to copy the file WSTAR.EXE into your Word program directory (usually C:\WINWORD) and then run it. This will extract all of the additional converters in the Zip archive. You can then delete the WSTAR.EXE file (although I'd suggest backing it up to a floppy first).

When you next try to open a WordStar file from within Word 6, Word will add details of the newly installed WordStar filter to the [MSWord Text Converters] section of your WIN.INI file.

If you want to save a file in a WordStar format, but don't have one you can try to open first (to force Word to instal the filters), then carry out the following actions:

• Start Word
• Select File | Open...
• In the File Open dialog make sure that Confirm File Conversions is selected
• Choose the file C:\WINWORD\SETUP.EXE (assuming the default Word directory is used)
• Click OK - the filters will be installed.
• Click Cancel on the Convert File dialog

Full details are in the file README.TXT included within the WSTAR.EXE file. Other files in the WSTAR.EXE archive detail conversion limitations.

There are several Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word for Windows 6:

Q96119  : History of WinWord File Converters Categorized by Release
Q107895: WordStar Converter Limitations in Word 6.0 for Windows
Q212265: Additional Converters/Filters Available in Converter Pack

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word for Windows 95

The Wordstar text import/export filter was supplied as part of the Word 95 distribution disk set. This filter is the same as the one used for Word 97, 2000 and XP. All Microsoft's file converters were bundled together in a Converter Pack, which Microsoft discontinued as off 17 Dec 2003. If you can obtain a copy of the converter pack for any version of Office from version 97 to XP it will include the WordStar filter.

The converter pack for Office 2003 does not include filters for WordStar! However, if you only need the WordStar converter this can be downloaded from the original and much smaller (450Kb) Supplimental Convertor set from Microsoft's ftp site (Note: this download link is sometimes slow and may give 'This page cannot be displayed' errors. Try again later). If the download from the ftp site continues to fail, use this link, however, be aware of the reasons why Microsoft say they have discontinued these filters; however, I suspect it is more to do with licenses than security.

The Word 95 (aka Word 7) File | Save As... dialog will only list WordStar for DOS versions 4.0 and 7.0. However, the import/export filter can cope with all DOS versions of WordStar from 3.3 to 7.0 and can also import WordStar for Windows documents.

Neither the Typical or Compact installations of Microsoft Word for Windows 95 install the WordStar import/export filter. If either of these options were selected when Word was installed you will need to either, re-run set-up and select Add/Remove components selecting all the original options, plus the WordStar Text Convertor option (not selecting a previously installed item will uninstal it!); or, install the filter manually.

Manual installation of the filter is carried out by running the wdsupcnv.exe file (preferably in a temporary directory) to extract the convertor files and a 'readme.rtf' file. Once the .cnv convertor files have been extracted they should be copied into the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Textconv directory. Trying to open or save a WordStar file will cause Word to add the filter to its list of available filters.

To help Word identify WordStar file versions it's best to either select the Confirm conversions option under the Tools | Options... menu, or to assign file extensions to the WordStar files that match the WordStar version. For example: myfile.ws4, yourfile.ws6, etc. Word actually only treats the files as being of WordStar 4, or WordStar 7 format.

There are several Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word for Windows 95 (Word 7):

Q96119  : History of WinWord File Converters Categorized by Release
Q135782: Converters Installed with Each Setup Type in Word/Office 95
Q135783: Converter Registration and File Locations in Word/Office 95
Q136385: Supported Foreign File Formats in Word and Office 95
Q156671: WordStar Converter Limitations in Word 7.0 for Windows
Q212265: Additional Converters/Filters Available in Converter Pack

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

Microsoft Word 97 (aka Word 8) was supplied with a supplimental convertor pack. This wasn't installed by default. The WordStar filter in the pack is the same as the one used by Word 95. See the Word 95 details for more information.

There are several Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word 97 for Windows (Word 8):

Q96119  : History of WinWord File Converters Categorized by Release
Q157092: Supplemental Text Converters Available for Word 97
Q212265: Additional Converters/Filters Available in Converter Pack

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 2000

Microsoft Word 2000 (aka Word 9) is supplied with a supplimental convertor pack. This isn't installed by default. The WordStar filter in the pack is the same as the one used by Word 95. See the Word 95 details for more information.

There are several Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word 2000 (Word 9):

Q96119  : History of WinWord File Converters Categorized by Release
Q212265: Additional Converters/Filters Available in Converter Pack

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 2002 (XP)

Microsoft Word 2002 (aka Word XP and Word 10) is supplied with a supplimental convertor pack. This isn't installed by default. The WordStar filter in the pack is the same as the one used by Word 95. See the Word 95 details for more information.

There are several Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word 2002 (Word 10):

Q96119  : History of WinWord File Converters Categorized by Release
Q212265: Additional Converters/Filters Available in Converter Pack

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 2003

Microsoft Word 2003 is supplied with a supplimental convertor pack, but the converters for WordStar have been removed. However, the WordStar filter used by Word 95 still works in Word 2003. See the Word 95 details for more information.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 98 (Mac)

If you can help fill in these details please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 5 (DOS)

If you can help fill in these details please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Microsoft Word 6 (DOS)

Microsoft Word 6 for DOS required a supplimental file convertor disk as the WordStar convertor was not included in the main disk set. The WordStar versions supported by the convertor were: 3.3, 3.45, 4.0, 5.0, and 5.5.

Download the WordStar converter from the set: WSCNVRT6.ZIP 123Kb or the complete set of conversion filters CNVRTRS.ZIP 486Kb.

To use the converter:
Copy the WS_RTF or RTF_WS conversion program to your Word program directory or to the disk containing the document you want to convert. Then, to convert a WordStar file to Word format start the converter by typing the following command :

A:> WS_RTF wsfile.doc wordfile.rtf [switch] <CR>

Where, wsfile.doc is the name of the WordStar source file and wordfile.rtf is the desired Word file name (note in Rich Text Format). [switch] is the source WordStar file format chosen from the list below.

To convert a Word document to WordStar; first use Word to save the file as an RTF file, then type the following command:

A:> RTF_WS wordfile.rtf wsfile.doc [switch] <CR>

There are some Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that refer to the supplimental file convertors for Microsoft Word 6 for DOS:

Q108397: Word 6.0 for MS-DOS Supplemental Offers Coupon
Q115939: How to Use the Word 6.0 for MS-DOS Supplemental Converters

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordPerfect

Most, if not all, versions of Word Perfect contain import filters for WordStar although these aren't installed by default. Run the Word Perfect set-up program to add the extra filters.

Reports say that the filters are generally good.

WordPerfect 8

WordStar for DOS
Import Filters:
WordStar 3.3, 3.4, 4.0
WordStar 5
WordStar 5.5
WordStar 6
WordStar 7

Export Filters:
WordStar 3.3
WordStar 3.31
WordStar 3.4
WordStar 4.0
WordStar 5.0
WordStar 5.5
WordStar 6.0
WordStar 7.0

WordStar 2000 for DOS
Import Filters:
WordStar 2000 Rel 1.0
WordStar 2000 Rel 2.0
WordStar 2000 Rel 3.0

Export Filters:
WordStar 2000 Rel 1.0
WordStar 2000 Rel 2.0
WordStar 2000 Rel 3.0

Information from Corel Corp support site's Resource Guide for Suite 8

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Lotus WordPro

Lotus SmartSuite 9.7 was the last version to include filters for WordStar for DOS and for WordStar for Windows.

If you have a later version you could try searching for a second-hand copy of version 9.5 to 9.7 on eBay.

Batch converter for WordPro 9.x
If you have SmartSuite 9.x, you can use the Batch Converter utility for Word Pro to quickly process your files. This is a free download.

To use the batch converter to convert between Lotus WordPro and any other format, such as RTF, Word Perfect, and of course, WordStar, for which you have the conversion filters installed:

• Place the downloaded file into any folder and open it in WordPro.
• A new menu option will be added to the File menu, and a set of instructions will be displayed.
• Select the option, "Batch File Converter..." to start.

The converter will convert files in sub-folders and can output to different folders.

• Download version 1.23 of the Lotus WordPro Batch Converter from this site.
• Check for the latest version from XpertSS, select the Free Downloads link, then enter the search text "batch convert" into the description box and click Search.

If you can provide more details please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Lotus AmiPro

If you can help fill in these details please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordStar for DOS 5

WordStar for DOS version 5.0 was supplied with a version of Star Exchange that supports export to Microsoft Rich Text Format (RTF). RTF files can be read by virtually all Windows word processors. If you have WordStar for DOS 5.0, then this is probably your simplest solution. The Star Exchange manual can be read here.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordStar for DOS 6

WordStar for DOS version 6.0 was supplied with a version of Star Exchange that supports export to Microsoft Rich Text Format (RTF). RTF files can be read by virtually all Windows word processors. If you have WordStar for DOS 6.0, then this is probably your simplest solution. The Star Exchange manual can be read here.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordStar for DOS 7

WordStar for DOS 7 was supplied with a version of Star Exchange that supports export to Microsoft Rich Text Format (RTF). RTF files can be read by virtually all Windows word processors. If you have WordStar for DOS 7, then this is probably your simplest solution. The Star Exchange manual can be read here.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordStar for Windows 2.0

WordStar for Windows 2.0 includes import and export filters for the following DOS versions of WordStar: 3.3; 3.31; 4.0; 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; & 7.0. It also supports WordStar 2000 release 3.0, and 3.5. Note that pictures will not be exported.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Xoom WordPro for Windows 1.0

Xoom WordPro for Windows 1.0 was an adaptation of WordStar for Windows. There were versions both given away on free CDs, and for free download. Each of these included slightly different collections of utilities. If you have this program with all the filters that were available you will have import and export filters for the following DOS versions of WordStar: 3.3; 3.31; 4.0; 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; & 7.0; and also for WordStar 2000 release 3.0, and 3.5. Note that pictures will not be exported.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Star Office (version 5.2 and later)

Star Office contains a number of WordStar import filters, the range having been added to in version 5.2. The imports allow for both most major DOS versions of WordStar including WordStar 2000, and also support WordStar for Windows versions 1 and 2, and WordStar for Windows' predecessor, Legacy. StarOffice has many advantages: it is cheap (free if you can suffer a 100Mb download); it is similar in operation to Microsoft Word; it uses the Microsoft Word 6 file format; it's available for Windows and Linux platforms. StarOffice is now owned by Sun Microsystems and can be obtained from computer software dealers or downloaded directly from Sun. There is a user's group site at www.staroffice.com.

Note: The free version, OpenOffice.org, doesn't include the import export filters for WordStar!

WordStar for DOS imports
I've only tried basic files and these seem fine. Star Writer (the word processor in Star Office) could be used to read files that later versions of Microsoft Word fails to open. These can then be saved in either RTF or Word 6 format to allow Word to read them. StarOffice supports WordStar versions: 3.3; 3.45; 4.0; 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; and 7.0.

WordStar 2000 for DOS imports
StarOffice 5.2 has import filters for WordStar 2000 for DOS release 3.0 and 3.5. I don't know how good these are - if you do, please email me with details.

WordStar for DOS exports
StarOffice cannot create WordStar for DOS files.

WordStar for Windows imports
The WordStar for Windows import filter is about as good as any. You'll get multi-column pages set up, and an attempt at layout, although it can select the wrong font. It also sometimes looses <BOLD> on/off commands, etc., so more than should be gets this formatting. Overall, it will give a good starting point for cleaning up. The filter supports all versions of WordStar for Windows (1.0 to 2.0).

WordStar for Windows exports
StarOffice cannot create WordStar for Windows files.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Emuator for Word]

Plain text

Star Exchange
Star Exchange was supplied with WordStar versions 5-7 and all versions of WordStar 2000 for DOS. Star Exchange can convert between ASCII and WordStar formats. The Star Exchange manual can be read here.

ASCII printer driver
Another option for converting WordStar for DOS files to plain DOS text is to use the ASCII printer driver. If you want more options, though, you can try out one of the other methods listed below:

WS-CON
Another option for converting WordStar for DOS files to plain DOS or UNIX text is the freeware program WS-CON by Yohanes Nugroho of Indonesia. This program can also turn wordStar for DOS files into Microsoft RTF and to HTML.

WSASC
Another free options are WSASC, which forms part of the WSUTILS collection of programs created by one of the WordStar programmers, Peter Mierau. This supports all versions of WordStar for DOS.

WSX
WSX is another option for WordStar for DOS 4 users. This will convert an ASCII file to WordStar and vice versa. It is available from here.

WSCONV
The HABit WordStar Converter runs under Windows, with versions for Windows 3, and Windows 95 and later. More details are here.

If you have any other suggestions please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

HABit WordStar Converter

The HABit WordStar Converter WSCONV runs in Windows rather than DOS, so may be an easier alternative for non-DOS users who need access to old WordStar files. The converter is available in two versions as detailed below:

Windows 3
The 16-bit (Windows 3.x) version is designed for WordStar 4 files, but will also cope with earlier WordStar versions.

The program gives options for replacing soft-spaces, etc., with hard-spaces to keep the layout with a fixed-pitch font, and for converting WordStar extended characters to the Windows equivalent. Full details for installation and use are included in the downloads.

If you use the Windows 3 version of the converter to convert files from WordStar versions later than version 4, the file preview may not display the file contents. If the document is simple, and doesn't use features introduced after WordStar 4, such as paragraph styles, you may just be left with some formatting and other code in the converted result, otherwise you could be left with an unusable result.

Windows 9x/2000/XP & NT
The 32-bit (Windows 9x, 2000, XP, & NT) version 3 converter (updated March 2005) has support for most DOS WordStar versions including WordStar 2000. Output can be in plain text or HTML, the HTML output preserving character attributes such as boldface, etc. In addition to the two output formats, there are two conversion options:

The keep layout option will try to preserve formatting (see the table below). This option is only applicable to plain text output, not HTML.

The Convert Extended Characters (ECS) option will convert the WordStar for DOS IBM extended character set to the Windows ANSI character set based on Latin-1 coding. Where there isn't a matching character in the normal Windows fonts the nearest equivalent will be used. HTML conversions use special HTML characters to display characters in the Extended ASCII range

Footnotes, are changed to end notes.

There is also a batch conversion option to convert all files with the same file extension in a directory.

The conversions are summarised in the tables below. Point at the symbols for more details on a specific feature.

From WordStar DOS to Plain Text
Feature:	3.31	4.0	5.5	6.0	7.0	2K	Notes
Soft Returns							} Keep } layout } option
Blank lines
Multiple spaces
Text attributes							Not applicable
Tabs
Centering
Footnotes							As end notes
Extended characters							ECS option
From WordStar DOS to HTML
Feature:	3.31	4.0	5.5	6.0	7.0	2K	Notes
Soft Returns							Ignored
Blank lines
Multiple spaces
Text attributes
Tabs							As spaces
Centering
Footnotes							As end notes
Extended characters							ECS option
Key		Yes		No		?		N/A

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordStar 2000 Conversion

Converting WordStar 2000 files to something Microsoft Word and other word processors and text editors can use is often a problem as these programs rarely include WordStar 2000 import filters. Word Perfect being a notable exception. Other options are to buy StarOffice (about $50?), or find StarOffice 5.1 (may be free), Corel Word Perfect, Draw and Ventura Publisher may include WordStar 2000 converters - check for each version before buying.

Star Exchange
WordStar 2000 was shipped with the Star Exchange program, which will convert to several formats including plain text and RTF. The Star Exchange manual can be read here.

However, if you no longer have the program and want the text without lots of little boxes, like those shown below, there are two other options:

 MY DOCUMENT TITLE  

WSCONV
The HABit WordStar Converter runs under Windows, with versions for Windows 3, and Windows 95 and later. More details are here.

View File

One solution is to use the shareware View File program, which you can download from here. Basic usage instructions for getting at your WordStar 2000 text using View File form the rest of this topic:

• After downloading the program extract all the files into a new folder - use short file names such as C:\VIEW or C:\DOSVIEW, etc.
• Run the file called VIEW.EXE.
• Navigation is similar to that in WordStar's file open screen .. Means up a directory, etc.
• Find your WordStar file and open it in View.
• Then use F6 to print, F4 save for word processor, give it a NEW name and press Enter.
• The file will be saved in the View program folder by default. If you give it a file extension of .ASC you'll get asked a few questions to which the answer should be NO, but when you open it in Word, Word will get the hyphen character and some others correct as it will force it to use the DOS character set rather than the Windows encoding. This should save you a little more tidying up.
• Alternatively, if you're using Word, set Confirm Conversion on Open in Word's Tools > Options > General dialog to get asked for non-Word files; you can then use any file extension you like - just select "MS-DOS Text With Layout" when you're asked what type of file it is.

View has a batch conversion feature that you may also want to look at.

DO WORK FROM A BACKUP OF YOUR FILES!

If you have any other suggestions please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

HTML

WS2HTML
You can try Andrew Stephenson's WS2HTML converter to convert WordStar for DOS text into basic HTML.

WS-CON
Another option for converting WordStar for DOS files to HTML is the freeware program WS-CON by Yohanes Nugroho of Indonesia. Full program details, and a new version with English promts are available from here. This program can also turn wordStar for DOS files into Microsoft RTF and to DOS or UNIX plain text formats.

WSCONV
The HABit WordStar Converter runs under Windows, with versions for Windows 3, and Windows 95 and later. More details are here.

If you have any other suggestions please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

RTF

Microsoft Rich text Format (RTF) is a standard set of formatting instructions supported by virtually all Windows word processors. This is generally one of the best ways to ensure conpatability when you need to move documents from one system to another. There are several ways to get WordStar for DOS files converted into RTF, as described below:

Star Exchange
Microsoft RTF files can be created using Star Exchange, which was supplied with later versions of wordStar for DOS. If you don't have this program you can try WS-CON (below).

WS-CON
Another option for converting WordStar for DOS files to Microsoft RTF is the freeware program WS-CON by Yohanes Nugroho of Indonesia. This small program can also turn wordStar for DOS files into HTML and to DOS or UNIX plain text formats.

If you have any other suggestions please email me

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

WordPort

WordPort is a specialist file conversion program sold by Advanced Computer Inovations Inc. One of the main advantages of WordPort is that it offers batch conversion of multiple files, which alone may justify having to pay for it. There is a trial version that can be downloaded - this limits conversion to relatively small files. Full details and current pricing can be obtained from the ASI Web site, at the time of writing the cost was $149.

The program itself can be downloaded from ASI in demo mode, in which it will insert spelling and numerical errors. The program has a 'Purchase Now' button that will allow you to unlock its paid-for mode and prevent the errors being inserted into the converted documents. Earlier versions (8.0 to 8.6) can also be downloaded from here.

WordStar of DOS import
The program has input converters for WordStar for DOS versions 3.x, 4.0, and 5.0 to 7.0

WordStar 2000 for DOS import
The program supports WordStar 2000 for DOS, although it doesn't specify which releases.

WordStar for DOS export
Output WordStar formats are: 3.x, 4.0 (Professional), 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0.

WordStar 2000 for DOS export
The program can output files in WordStar 2000 for DOS releases 1, 2, and 3 formats.

WordStar for Windows
WordStar for Windows is not supported.

Other File Format exports
It can also output the file in Word for Windows formats 2.0, 6.0, and 7.0 (Word 95); for later Word versions - 8 (Word 97), and 2000 formats, it uses the Word 6 format. It can also output to WordPerfect versions up to 8.

On-Line Conversion Option
If you have a limited number of files to convert and baulk at the $149 cost of the program, ASI also offer an on-line file conversion service. At the time of writing this cost $10 per Mb plus $1 per file, with a minimum charge of $9 (how they make that add up beats me). Full details are available here. The on-line conversion requires that you run a utility from the ASI Web site - select Open, when asked if you want to open or save the program. You then drag and drop your files onto the utility's window and the charge will be calculated. Once you provide your credit card details the files are uploaded to the ASI Web site and after a few minutes the converted files are downloaded to your PC.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

KeyView Pro

Verity's KeyView Pro doesn't have any WordStar specific file import filters, but can read WordStar for DOS 3.x and 4.0 files as these are relatively simple text formats. These can then be saved in Rich text Format (RTF). KeyView Pro offers a batch conversion facility. A demo of the program is available from www.verity.com/keyview.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

SoftWare Bridge

SoftWare Bridge was customised and supplied with both WordStar for DOS versions 6 and 7. The program is no-longer sold, but copies may occasionally appear on on-line auctions such as eBay. If you look for this, try to get version 5 as this included Rich Text Format (RTF) conversion - alternatively, look for copies of WordStar for DOS version 7.0d as these included the RTF supporting version of SoftWare Bridge.

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Conversions Plus

Conversions Plus is a specialist file conversion program sold by DataViz. It only supports the following WordStar for DOS versions 5.5, 6.0, 7.0; although earlier versions could be opened as text. The program costs around $70 for a single user licence (Mar 2001) and is available from DataViz at http://www.dataviz.com

[Introduction] | [Index] | [WordStar Command Emulator for Word]

Copyright © 1999-2005 Michael Petrie, United Kingdom.