Word Pad/Note Pad

Question

Level 1

8 points

Word Pad/Note Pad

I have installed virtual PC and hate it. I found a shareware software disc with Microsoft compatible applications, so I can open all of my microsoft word and excel files (loaded onto my Mac HD). Here's the question: is there an easy way to convert Word Pad and Note pad files to something recognizable by my Mac? I would like to get rid of Virtual PC but still be able to read those files.

Thanks.

Mac OS X (10.4.4) Mini

Posted on Feb 28, 2006 12:19 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 1, 2006 12:57 PM in response to cadenzas

The TextEdit application will open documents created in NotePad because the documents are saved in a text (.txt) format. I have been doing that for quite a while. I have also been writing batch files in TextEdit on my Mac and installing them on PCs on the network. If I have to actually go to the PC, I open them in NotePad there.

TextEdit will open WordPad documents that are saved in Rich Text Format (.rtf), but some of the fancier coding may be gone.

I have the Mac Student/Teacher version of Microsoft Office loaded on my PB12 so that I don't have to use Virtual PC. Word will open .txt and .rtf files.

You can open your documents in WordPad on the PC and save them in RTF or text format. Then when you transfer them to you Mac, TextEdit will open them if you don't want to buy MS Ofice.

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Answer 2

Mar 1, 2006 2:40 PM in response to cadenzas

You might want to try opening those documents in TextEdit before doing any more work. The default save settings for WordPad may have been OK.

If that doesn't work then you will need to convert the documents. Changing the file name extensions will not work. You will need to open each document and then do "Save As". At the bottom of the window you should have the selection "Save as Type". Select Rich Text Format then press the save button. Make sure that the drive and folder settings are what you want.

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Answer 3

cadenzas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2006 3:00 PM in response to Frank Chavez

Yeah, I understodd that I would have to open them and then 'save as' -- but I'll see if they will open first with textedit -- but then, how would I save those files in a format Mac standard applications can read? I really don't want to purchase Micrososft Office for Mac if I can avoid it.

Thanks again for all your help.

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Answer 4

cadenzas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2006 3:27 PM in response to Frank Chavez

If that doesn't work then you will need to convert
the documents. Changing the file name extensions
will not work. You will need to open each document
and then do "Save As". At the bottom of the window
you should have the selection "Save as Type". Select
Rich Text Format then press the save button. Make
sure that the drive and folder settings are what you
want.

Yeah I understood that part already. Last question -- is there a way to save those text files in a format that can be read by standard Mac applications?

Thanks.

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Answer 5

Mar 1, 2006 3:42 PM in response to cadenzas

Which Mac applications were you particularly interested in? All Mac applications can read text files. I haven't tried RTF files with all of them.

If you are looking for more capability than TextEdit there are some free applications referenced on thses forums. i don't pay attention to them myself because I have MS Office. Some Macs come with AppleWorks installed. My wife has it on her iBook. It is a very powerful application suite. It's simple interface tricks the user into thinking its too simple. You may want to look at it on the sales site to see if it mets your needs.

The main point is, what do you want to be able to do?

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Answer 6

cadenzas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2006 4:21 PM in response to Frank Chavez

Yes, I have Apple works, and am investigating what it will and will not be able to open. What do I want to do? I want to be able to access, read, etc my old PC files by using just the Mac -- I want to get rid of virtual pc, but still be able to at least read and copy old PC files. I'm getting a lot of ideas here.

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Answer 7

iFelix

Level 8

35,167 points

Mar 1, 2006 1:24 PM in response to cadenzas

BBEdit Lite is quite good for opening text files (Notepad) and for saving them in a plain text format.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/604

iFelix

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Answer 8

cadenzas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2006 2:19 PM in response to cadenzas

The files are already on my Mac -- but I also have them in Virtual PC and on a DVD. I suppose I'll need to change the extensions in Virtual PC and then copy those files again to the Mac.

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Answer 9

iFelix

Level 8

35,167 points

Mar 2, 2006 1:12 AM in response to cadenzas

Rich Text Format RTF can be read by most relevant Mac applications.

TXT, text files can also be read.

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