Help please - convert CWK files for Windows use

lisa_spyder · 02-02-2010, 04:56 PM

Guys and gals,

I have been sent some files in CWK format from someone who is not very techie-minded. I could ask her to convert to PDF so I can open them; but I don't think she will be able to do that. This will be ongoing so I need to find a solution on my end; not hers.

I am using Office 2003 (I like it better than 2007; please don't tell me I need 2007 as it ain't gonna happen anytime soon

) She must be using an Apple I guess; whereas obviously I am using Windows.

When I search the web all I get are all those bloody registry clean up/error fix programs. I am not trying to repair a CWK file; I am trying to find a file converter so that I can convert to word or pdf so I can open these things.

I have stuck my hand up to aid a community group here in a David and Goliath battle with our local council (grrrrrrrrrr

) - most of them are "older" and only a few even have computers; I don't want to stress them with telling them I need their files another way from them. I want to fix it on my end and be done with it.

What can you suggest? If I have to buy a program I will - I just want a fix that actually works.....and I want it like yesterday

!

Thanks!

stomachmonkey · 02-02-2010, 05:01 PM

CWK? ClarisWorks? Someone still uses that?

Tell whoever sent it to you that it's the 21st century.

Easier than a PDF is for them to save as Plain or Rich text.

Lemme do some digging.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Here's one that will convert the first part free.... If useful, looks like it is $20 US....

docXConverter from Panergy - Software download to convert docx files

Dave

lisa_spyder · 02-02-2010, 05:05 PM

I know, I know....I have been digging and I am not getting anywhere...I have to sort this as it is going to crop up time and time again for me. I guess it's Clarisworks...

At least these people I am helping have a computer and can use their email...a lot of the others I still contact by phone (which is nice; as long as I have the time to do that).

Thanks Stomachmonkey...please dig away for me

lisa_spyder · 02-02-2010, 05:05 PM

Dave I am going to check that out right now - thanks!

slodave · slodave's Garage

They seem to be promoting the SW to open .docx files, but the FAQ says it can convert Claris 5,6..

What is new in version 3.1?

Version 3.1 of docXConverter brings support to the cwk file format in the Windows version. In addition to docx documents of Word 2007 and xlsx documents of Excel 2007 docXConverter 3.1 Windows is now able to open and convert cwk files that represent word processing documents of AppleWorks/ClarisWorks 5 and AppleWorks 6. There has been improvement in the treatment of graphics and tables. In addition, all problems reported by users in version 2.0 Windows have been addressed. Version 3.1 works on Windows and on Macintosh.

stomachmonkey · 02-02-2010, 05:14 PM

Hmm, ClarisWorks, also known as AppleWorks was available for Windows up till 04' so you might be able to score a copy.

slodave · slodave's Garage

I sent you a PM, Lisa...

stomachmonkey · 02-02-2010, 05:23 PM

Dave,

I sent you a PM.

lisa_spyder · 02-02-2010, 05:30 PM

Thanks Dave; just replied

.

That converter isn't cutting it I'm afraid.

masraum · 02-02-2010, 05:35 PM

This link says a couple of things (granted, it's several years old)
Google Answers: Need to view a CWK file.

Quote:

I read on an Apple site that in order to "read" a .cwk document file on a
PC, you must......

"Want to share your AppleWorks document with the world and have them see
it just as you intended? Or for them to view it without changing the file?
Thanks to the advanced Quartz graphics system in Mac OS X, simply save the
print preview and you automatically create a document in PDF format. Then
anyone with Adobe Acrobat Reader - or Mac OS X - can view what you made."

and

Quote:

Unfortunately, there is no "free" viewer available, except for the
Method that I listed at the bottom, which would require you to gain
access to a Macintosh Computer. The only viewer that I was able to
come up for Windows is one that is still in development:
icWord® viewer and convertor for Mac A
viewer running in Windows would have to be able to read the Macintosh
AppleWorks format, at which point it would only take an additional
tiny step to make such a "viewer" a "converter". I was not able to
locate an application that "renders" an AppleWorks document without
giving the user the ability to convert it to another format.

masraum · 02-02-2010, 05:36 PM

Here's another possibility

Quote:

I found a .cwk file to try out on the internet, and it will open in word!
Open up word>file>open>change the file type to recover text from any file type. Then you can save it from there to an actual .doc file

lisa_spyder · 02-02-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Here's another possibility

Yey!!!! That works!!!! I went into word and selected "recover text from any file" and I actually got stuff I could read (amazing!).

Granted the files are really untidy (you get all the formatting codes etc as well but the document isn't formatted if you know what I mean) but at least I can open all these letters and fact sheets etc now.

Thanks Steve

Cheers,

Lisa

masraum · 02-02-2010, 05:55 PM

Cool, no problem.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Lisa, I got your PM. I can't seem to respond via the iPhone.

lisa_spyder · 02-02-2010, 06:34 PM

aaah...technology;

Dave,

It's a bit like what you guys say about we women - can't live with 'em; can't live without 'em

Wait til you're home...and have the time.

Cheers,

Lisa

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by slodave

Lisa, I got your PM. I can't seem to respond via the iPhone.

Dave I have asked wayne about that problem on multiple occasions and my requests seem to fall on deaf ears..... You can click her user name and create a NEW PM is your only option.... Maybe you should talk to the big man about getting that fixed....