So You Want to Go Either Way (Mac or PC)

I want to: Convert Mac to PC Convert PC to Mac
Important basics before you begin:
  • Use a PC formatted disk for everything - the newer Macs can handle either format but the PC cannot handle the Mac format without purchasing special software.
  • Work on the Mac using Microsoft Works. When saving, do a regular "Save" of the file in a Mac format as well as saving in a PC format.
  • Save a second copy of the file using "Save As" and for "Format" select either "Works" or "Word for Windows" for the PC.
  • When saving a file to be used by "Word" on a PC, include the suffix ".doc" at the end of the file name

Mac to PC:  Chances are, you'll want to begin by converting a Mac Microsoft Works 4.0 file to use on a PC with Microsoft Word 7.0.  Here are the steps to follow:

Save the Mac file to begin conversion:
  • Open the Works file to be saved from the Mac's hard drive or from the network.
  • Place a PC formatted disk in the floppy disk drive
  • Select "Save As" from the FILE menu. From the "File Format" menu select  "Word 6.0" or if that choice is not available, select "Word for Windows".
  • Name the file with ".doc" for a suffix for the file name and click the "Save" button.  limit file names to letters and digits (no spaces) and only 8 characters in length before the ".doc".  For example, you might save the file "Unit I Test" as "unit1tst.doc". 
  • Select the floppy disk as the destination drive for saving & then click Save.
  • (Note, it may be possible to perform conversions via your building's network - consult with your tech facilitator for assistance.
Open the converted file on the PC to complete conversion:
  • Double-click the icon for the document (saved above).
  • If you are using Word 7.0, save the document - it is necessary to do this so it will be a Word 7.0 document instead of a Word 6.0
  • Fix any formatting problems that occurred during the conversion.
  • Save the document with its new name and to the desired destination (hard drive, network, or back to the original floppy disk).

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PC to Mac:  It may be necessary to take a PC file and work on it on a Mac.  If so, here are the steps you'll need to follow:

Save the Word PC file to work on a Mac to begin the conversion:
  • Open the Word 7.0 file from the computer's hard drive or the network.
  • Select "Save As..." from the File menu.
  • Select the A: drive as the destination
  • Select "Word 6.0" as the format and click Save.
Open the file on the Mac to complete the conversion:
  • Begin by opening the software "Microsoft Works" on the Mac.
  • Select "Open" from the FILE menu.
  • Change the "File Format" to "All Available".
  • Navigate to the appropriate folder and disk (either the A: drive or the network), and open the file.
  • Fix any formatting problems that occurred during conversion.
  • Select "Save As" from the File menu
  • Save the file to the desired location (probably hard drive or network).

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