After I downloaded Lion I could not open any of my documents. I finally got my Microsoft docs to open with pages etc, but cannot open apple works docs. I really need that info. Anyone know how to open them?
iMac (20-inch Mid 2007), Mac OS X (10.7.4)
Not sure there is any program available today to open any document file created with such an old Apple program.
You would think Apple would include some type of conversion utility but to my knowledge they haven't and more then likely never will.
You might want to do a Google search on "Convert Appleworks file to new format" or something like that.
Good Luck.
Thanks Shootist007! I was afraid of that.
The iWork applications will open AppleWorks 6 word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
(68763)
This may help. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4180914
Thanks hpr3 Niel but it doesn't work. It is in AppleWorks 6 and Numbers says it is not a spreadsheet and if I try to open it with pages it says it is not a word processing doc. And I can't export them if I can't open them. Do you think that because I have Pages 09 that , that makes a difference?
I've now inherited the same problem on my MacBook, after re-installing Snow Leopard. Every time I open an Appleworks file, the program crashes. Previously, before a system crash, Appleworks 6 was working OK, although very slowly (it works much better with the same system on my wife's MacAir - figure that). I have all my family history files in Appleworks 6 - the family history goes back a thousand years and the project goes back 30 years but the software is obsolete after ten. Really great!!! It's not good enough to make remarks about 'old software' as someone in this thread did, as if we're the negligent ones - we're just the victims What are we supposed to do - change hundreds of files every ten years, just because the manufacturer who you've supported so loyally for decades has refused to provide a solution? I'm very unhappy about this but at least it's a stimulus to get on and finish my project and make printed books rather than relying on computer software, which is very much a double-edged sword.
By the way, someone suggested I use iWorks, as they did to you, and after a very frustrating morning I couldn't get the result you/I want.
Then, restore you previously good Snow Leopard backup./clone or Time Machine backup, boot into it, reopen and resave those AW docs with the 6.2.9 AW version, boot back into the Lion volume and see if the iWorks apps can open them. Works here.
I am sorry baltwo but I did not understand anything you said. I thought I understood most computer speak but not yours. Could you maybe re-explain in easier to understand steps?
Boot, which means restart, with a disk/volume/partition that contains Snow Leopard or earlier OS.
Open the AW files with AW 6.9.2, resave them, and copy them to your Lion volume.
Open the newly saved files with the appropriate iWork.
I can't make it any simpler than that.
And if I have AW 6.2.9, not 6.9.2 ??
(Not trying to be a smartie, and do appreciate your attempt to help)
While we're at it, is it possible to just get the word processing unit of iWorks? I tried, but couldn't.
Sorry for the fat-fingering error. I originally posted 6.2.9, but tried to simplify things for you. AFAIK, you can only get iWorks. See http://www.apple.com/iwork/ for details.
Now I know you are going to think I am an idiot (and I am in computers), but I have the actual disc for snow leopard but do not have the disc for lion as I downloaded from internet. So, if I understand you - put the snow leopard disc in and restart. It will open in snow leopard and I can open AW. Then lion will still be on the computer after I take the disc out and restart again?
I found a simple solution online at MacWorld, something called TextWrangler. Downloaded it and it at least opens up word processing, as simple text and some code garble. Here's a link to the article where I read about it with instructions. http://www.macworld.com/article/1166370/open_old_docs.html
If you're able to boot with the SL install disc (there's none for Lion, but you should have save the installer app before installing it) and run AW, then open those files and resave them. Then, when you boot back into Lion, iWork apps should be able to open them.
A problem I have had as well. Played with the Save As in AppleWorks and saving it as ASCII text on my old computer in AppleWorks6 works. I then upload it to the new computer and open Numbers, double click and there it is. Not with any fancy formatting but the numbers and text are all in the appropriate rows and columns.
How do I open apple works documents?
