Is there a way to convert WordPerfect 4.2 text files to Win XP?

---

Request for Question Clarification by aht-ga on 03 Apr 2004 20:40 PST

docbea-ga:

Would I be correct in assuming that you are asking how to convert an
old WordPerfect 4.2 for use in MS Word 2002/XP? If not MS Word, which
word processor are you using on your Windows XP machine?

In any case, how many files do you need to convert? I can point you
towards a reasonably priced software application that you can try for
up to 30 days to see if it meets your needs in converting WP4.2 files
to a large list of alternate formats. If you only have a few files to
convert, this trial period might already fulfill your needs. If you
have more, the very reasonable price will help keep your costs to a
minimum.

If you like I can also provide you with links to online conversion services.

Please let me know what you would like me to include in an Answer, and
I will post it as quickly as possible.

Thanks,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Question by docbea-ga on 04 Apr 2004 14:36 PDT

Thanks for the prompt reply. Sorry, obviously WinXP is irrelevant of
course. I do want to convert to Word 2002. I have several hundred
files in a 20-year old DOS computer and don't mind paying for any
solution. Online I have only been able to find conversion programs for
WP5.0 and higher--nothing this very old version of WP.

docbea-ga:

The program I can point you to claims to be able to convert WP4.2
files to Word 2002. I say 'claims', because I do not have any WP4.2
files to test this on. So, while I am providing you the information
about the conversion program here, I also have two other ideas that
you may find more appealing.

First, the program I originally mentioned is called ABC Amber Text
Converter, from Process Text Group. The website to obtain this program
is:

http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/abctxt.html

Please download the trial version (which is their older 1.32
version... customers receive the latest 1.39 version). In order to
convert WP4.2 files to Word 2002, you will need to send a request to
them for the "Office Conversion Pack". If you decide to purchase, the
cost is US$24.95.

However, if you have several hundred files to convert, then perhaps
the better way to go is to simply buy the current version of
WordPerfect (version 11). The lowest-cost way to do this is to buy the
Wordperfect Family Pack 5, which comes with a Lite Version of
Wordperfect 11. According to the information I can find online, and
based on my own experience with the version of WP11 that comes with WP
Office 11, it can seamlessly open WP4.2 files and save it in a MS
Word-compatible format. At the very least, you will fully recover the
text content, along with most of the formatting. This is the better
approach, in my opinion. However, it does cost more, with the MSRP for
Wordperfect Family Pack 5 being $79.95US. You may find it for less at
retailers such as Best Buy, or even online:

Amazon.com ($59.99 US)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000A1GPK/102-9527477-6443368

This approach will let you open up the WP4.2 files, adjust anything
that you want to adjust, then either save in Word format, or cut and
paste only the sections you want into an open Word document.

Finally, the third method I can suggest is to download the trial
version of WP11, to see if you like it. You can download the trial
version of WP11 from:

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel2/Downloads/Home

Of course, at 178 MB, the download can take a long time, so please be
prepared for that.

I hope that one of these options works out for you. Please let me
know, via the Request Clarification button above, if you would like
more information on this, before you rate this Answer.

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

I'm amazed that there is such a simple and inexpensive solution. I
instantly ordered WP11 from Amazon. This makes my day.