How do I convert all Word Pad docs to Word docs?

S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

I think you are the one who originally forgot to include a message.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
 
G

Guest

I really do beg your pardon. The problem is, I can't find the place where I'm
supposed to write the question. I click on "Question" but find no place to
write. My questions, earlier, was "How do I change Word Pad documents to Word
documents?
--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
G

Guest

Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently. Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

The original question first:
How to change file associations in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307859


The secondary issue:
Stop using that blast Microsoft web interface. It's hideous. Use Google
Groups (if you are a somewhat casual user) or a newsreader (if you're going
to stick around for a while). I use Outlook Express and it's just like
sending emails. Easy-peasey.

If you insist on using MS's site: (You'll need to allow pop-ups.) Click on
New - Question - You'll get a screen that has a spaces for subject, message,
and your display name. The text says "Subject should be a brief, meaningful
summary of your question or comment. People are more likely to respond to a
post if they know what the issue is by reading the Subject.
Body should include a full description of the issue and what you want to
achieve as well as the version of the product you're using."

That second part seems to be overlooked by a lot of people and I'll be
darned if I can figure out why. It's clear enough. I just dislike how much
effort one needs to go thru to find anything in that site. I use it as
seldom as humanly possible.


--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently.
Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't
know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't paraphrase
an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000,
2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond
based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether they are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word .doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently. Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

Suzanne -

What does that do differently than changing the file association? Just
curious.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but
not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that
this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether they
are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word .doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you
just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either
case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
all may benefit.

Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently. Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents
to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't
paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




message
I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

AFAIK, it just changes the file association for .doc, .dot, and other Word
file types all at once.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

JoAnn Paules said:
Suzanne -

What does that do differently than changing the file association? Just
curious.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to
write
the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but
not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that
this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether they
are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word ..doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you
just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either
case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
all may benefit.

Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to
write
the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently. Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents
to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


:

Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't
paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




message
I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

Okay. I have always wondered about that.

(Just yesterday I got an email from a fellow guild member whose computer
seems to have forgotten what it needs to open a .doc file.)

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
AFAIK, it just changes the file association for .doc, .dot, and other Word
file types all at once.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
all may benefit.

JoAnn Paules said:
Suzanne -

What does that do differently than changing the file association? Just
curious.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but
not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that
this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether
they
are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word .doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you
just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either
case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
all may benefit.

Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently.
Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad
documents
to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't
know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


:

Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't
paraphrase
an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to
include
the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97,
2000,
2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond
based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try
again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




message
Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




message
I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
G

Guest

Thank you for the info, the suggestion and your patience. I'm not usually
this inept! :)
--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
The original question first:
How to change file associations in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307859


The secondary issue:
Stop using that blast Microsoft web interface. It's hideous. Use Google
Groups (if you are a somewhat casual user) or a newsreader (if you're going
to stick around for a while). I use Outlook Express and it's just like
sending emails. Easy-peasey.

If you insist on using MS's site: (You'll need to allow pop-ups.) Click on
New - Question - You'll get a screen that has a spaces for subject, message,
and your display name. The text says "Subject should be a brief, meaningful
summary of your question or comment. People are more likely to respond to a
post if they know what the issue is by reading the Subject.
Body should include a full description of the issue and what you want to
achieve as well as the version of the product you're using."

That second part seems to be overlooked by a lot of people and I'll be
darned if I can figure out why. It's clear enough. I just dislike how much
effort one needs to go thru to find anything in that site. I use it as
seldom as humanly possible.


--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently.
Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't
know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't paraphrase
an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000,
2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond
based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
G

Guest

Thanks. I can do that, one doc at a time and will, if I have to. However, a
week or so ago, I obviously did something that converted every document I
have (all of which were Word docs) to Word Pad in one fell swoop. I tried to
retrace myself but couldn't figure out what in the world I'd done that caused
the entire document file to change.
--
Kidzwriter


Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether they are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word .doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently. Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


JoAnn Paules said:
Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
G

Guest

I got it! Thanks so much for your succinct and useful help
--
Kidzwriter


Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
AFAIK, it just changes the file association for .doc, .dot, and other Word
file types all at once.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

JoAnn Paules said:
Suzanne -

What does that do differently than changing the file association? Just
curious.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but
not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that
this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether they
are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word ..doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you
just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either
case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
all may benefit.

Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to write
the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently.
Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents
to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't
know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


:

Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words. And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't
paraphrase
an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include
the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000,
2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond
based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try
again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




message
I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

They weren't converted. Your computer just suffered a mental fart and thinks
that those files are supposed to be opened with WordPad.

(Yes, I know - I said fart. But you understood what I meant, didn't you?
;-) )

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Kidz Writer said:
Thanks. I can do that, one doc at a time and will, if I have to. However,
a
week or so ago, I obviously did something that converted every document I
have (all of which were Word docs) to Word Pad in one fell swoop. I tried
to
retrace myself but couldn't figure out what in the world I'd done that
caused
the entire document file to change.
--
Kidzwriter


Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to
write the
question?

You're using it! You've now posted two posts that contained content but
not
gotten any forrader. Moreover, if you searched this NG, you'd find that
this
question has already been addressed. The main issue here is whether they
are
actually WordPad documents (created in WordPad) or merely displaying a
WordPad icon. If the former, just open them in Word and save in Word .doc
format. If the latter, and if the documents have a .doc extension, you
just
need to reregister Word (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm). Or, in either
case,
you can right-click on a WordPad document in Windows Explorer, select
Open
With, then Choose Program. In the Open With dialog, select Microsoft Word
and check the box for "Always use this program to open these files."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
all may benefit.

Kidz Writer said:
Yes, I would like to try again. First, where do I find the place to
write the
question? As I said, I clicked on "New," then "Question" but nothing
appeared. I found it earlier but can't repeat my actions, evidently. Second,
here is the complete question: "How do I convert all Word Pad documents
to
Word docs?" (They have all been appearing as Word Pad docs and I don't know
what I did to cause it.)
Thanks

--
Kidzwriter


:

Unfortunately this is a help system that depends on written words.
And
because it's not a real-time conversation, you need to include all
information that you think may be remotely related. You can't
paraphrase an
error message because that can make a difference. You need to include the
version of the program because we are now dealing with Word 97, 2000, 2002,
2003, and 2007. There can be a world of difference in how we respond based
on one little item.

So back to your original problem.............would you like to try again?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




Sorry! I obviously goofed.
--
Kidzwriter


:

You didn't include one, why should I?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




message
I don't find a message. Did you forget to include it?
--
Kidzwriter


:
 

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