This step-by-step article describes how to save a Microsoft Works document in another file format so that you can open the document in another program.

If you want to open your Works document in another program, you must save the document in Works by using a file format that is recognized by the other program. For example, if you want to open your Works spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, save the Works spreadsheet as an .xls file.

How to Save Your Works Documents in Another File Format and Open Them by Using Another Program

To save your Works documents in another file format and open them by using another program, use the following methods.

Note Before you perform the following procedures, make sure that your Works document does not contain embedded objects or mail merge fields. You cannot use these procedures with Works documents that contain OLE objects, links to other documents, or mail merge fields.

Determine the File Formats That Are Supported by the Other Program

1. Start the program that you want to use to open the Works document.
2. On the File menu, click Open.
3. In the Open dialog box, click the down arrow next to the Files of type box.
   
   Make a note of the file formats that are displayed in the list.
4. Click Cancel.

Save the Works Document in the Appropriate File Format

1. Start the Works program that you want, and then open your document. For example, start Microsoft Works Spreadsheet, and then open a spreadsheet file.
2. On the File menu, click Save As.
3. In the Save As dialog box, select the file format that you want to use to save your Works document with in the Files of type list. Make sure that the format that you use matches one of the file formats in the Files of type list that you made a note of in the "Determine the File Formats That Are Supported by the Other Program" section of this article.
   
   Note Microsoft recommends that you use either the native file format of the other program or a Works format, assuming the format is supported in and displayed in the Files of type list of both programs. This minimizes the amount of formatting loss that may occur during the file conversion process.
4. Specify a location where you want to save the file, type a name for the file in the File name box, and then click Save.
5. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Works.

Use the Other Program to Open the Document

1. Start the program that you want to open the Works document with.
2. On the File menu, click Open.
3. In the Files of type list, click the file type that you used to save your Works document.
   
   Note You can also click All Files (*.*) to display all file types.
4. Navigate to the location where you saved the file, click to select the saved file, and then click Open.
   
   Note Some formatting loss may occur in the document, based on differences in each program. This is the standard and expected behavior. However, if there is more than one file format that is supported by both programs, try using another file format to determine which format causes the least amount of formatting loss.

For additional information about sharing Works files with other programs, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: