how do I read other documents ?

[Guest]

Hi, I know this might be a stupid question but here we go anyway.
I have microsoft works with my vista and can not read any documents produced
with other programmes. do I have to install word or XP and is there a
particular version that is best.

Cheers.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

What documents are you referring to? You certainly don't need to install XP.
As for Word, well Microsoft works will open any file with a .doc file
extension. If you are referring to 'pdf' files then you will need to install
adobe acrobat reader (which is free from adobe). Microsoft provide free
viewers fro excel and PowerPoint files too.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
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reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
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mail/post..

 

[Cnut]

What documents are you referring to? You certainly don't need to install
XP. As for Word, well Microsoft works will open any file with a .doc file
extension. If you are referring to 'pdf' files then you will need to
install adobe acrobat reader (which is free from adobe).

...... and is actually a large pile of shit!
<to the OP>
Get Foxit PDF reader, it's free:
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php
Replace the inferior MS Works product with a free office suite:
http://www.openoffice.org/
It has all you need!
Writer – a word processor you can use for anything from writing a quick
letter to producing an entire book.
Calc – a powerful spreadsheet with all the tools you need to calculate,
analyse, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics.
Impress – the fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia
presentations.
Draw – lets you produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D
illustrations.
Base – lets you manipulate databases seamlessly. Create and modify tables,
forms, queries, and reports, all from within OpenOffice.org
Math – lets you create mathematical equations with a graphic user
interface or by directly typing your formulas into the equation editor.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi, I know this might be a stupid question but here we go anyway.
I have microsoft works with my vista and can not read any documents produced
with other programmes. do I have to install word or XP and is there a
particular version that is best.

First, this is not an operating system issue. It's an application
issue. It has nothing to do with Vista, and you certainly don't have
to install Windows XP; doing so wouldn't help at all

To read any file, you need an appropriate application for it. Usually
the appropriate application is the program that created it, but
sometimes there are other compatible choices that may work.

You say you have "microsoft works ... and can not read any documents
produced with other programmes." That's correct; Microsoft Works is an
entry-level set of application programs that can not generally read
files produced by most other programs. It's sort of like trying to
read a video cassette tape with a DVD player.

You ask whether you should install Word, but there's no answer to that
question as it stands. It depends entirely on what kinds of files you
want to read.

So where are you getting these files, and what kinds of files are
these (what are the extensions, the last three characters of the file
name, after the dot)?

If the files are .doc files, they were produced by Word (or some
compatible program) and you either need Word or one of these
compatible programs (such as Corel WordPerfect or OpenOffice).
Alternatively you could download and install the free Microsoft Word
viewer at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF&displaylang=en

or http://tinyurl.com/5ye9c

Note that that last choice will let you open and read Word .doc files,
but not let you create or edit them.

If they are other types of files, tell us what they are for more
information on how to open them.

 

[Pentium]

Your best bet, if you can't get a hold of MS Office, or Works, is to get the
free office suite http://www.openoffice.org/ Open Office. $ave Money.

 

[Lang Murphy]

Your best bet, if you can't get a hold of MS Office, or Works, is to get
the free office suite http://www.openoffice.org/ Open Office. $ave Money.

"...if you can't get a hold of MS Office, or Works..." Golly, didn't the op
say he/she HAD Works? Are you suggesting that Works -can- read a Word file?
Because everything else I've read in this thread leads me to believe that
that cannot happen. Not having any version of Works, I admit I don't know
first-hand, but am willing to take the word of the folks who responded to
the original query.

Lang

 

[Diane B]

"...if you can't get a hold of MS Office, or Works..." Golly, didn't
the op say he/she HAD Works? Are you suggesting that Works -can- read
a Word file? Because everything else I've read in this thread leads me
to believe that that cannot happen. Not having any version of Works, I
admit I don't know first-hand, but am willing to take the word of the
folks who responded to the original query.

Lang

If the word file were saved as something that Works could read - then it
would work - but probably not. MS Works is often bundled into computers
sold as package deals because it is much cheaper than MS Office. Best
bet - find or buy a copy of MS Office.

 

[Alias]

Hi, I know this might be a stupid question but here we go anyway.
I have microsoft works with my vista and can not read any documents produced
with other programmes. do I have to install word or XP and is there a
particular version that is best.

Cheers.

www.openoffice.org

 

[Lang Murphy]

If the word file were saved as something that Works could read - then it
would work - but probably not. MS Works is often bundled into computers
sold as package deals because it is much cheaper than MS Office. Best
bet - find or buy a copy of MS Office.

That's a good point, Diane. I was only considering native Word format docs.
Good catch.

Lang