How to open a Microsoft .wps or Works file in Word

Updated: 08/31/2020 by Computer Hope
Microsoft Word

To view a Microsoft Works .wps file in Microsoft Word, you need a converter that enables Microsoft Word to view the files.

Microsoft provides a free file called WorksConv.exe that is compatible with Microsoft Word 2000 and later, allowing you to open Microsoft Works 6.0 to 9.0 documents.

To open older .wps documents created with Microsoft Works 4.0 or 4.5, Microsoft provides Wks4Converter_en-US.msi.

We recommend downloading and installing both files.

Tip

Microsoft Word 2013 can open Microsoft Works 6.0 to 9.0 documents by default. However, you still need to download and install the Wks4Converter_en-US.msi file to open Microsoft Works 4.0 or 4.5 documents.

Once these files are downloaded, follow the steps listed below.

  1. Close any open Microsoft Word windows.
  2. Double-click the WorksConv.exe file and follow the prompts to install it. Then, double-click the Wks4Converter_en-US.msi file and follow the prompts to install as well.
  3. After installing both files, open Microsoft Word.
  4. In Microsoft Word, click File and then Open. If there is no File menu, click the Microsoft Office button in the top-left of the Word window, then click Open.
Tip

In Word 2013, after clicking the Open option, select Computer, then click Browse.
In Word 2016 and later, after clicking the Open option, click Browse.

  1. In the Open window, in the File type drop-down menu or the unlabeled drop-down menu next to File name are: Works 4.x (*.wps), Works 6-9 Document (*.wps), and Works 6.0 (*.wps).
  2. Select the appropriate version of Works for the file you are opening. If you're unsure which version your Works file is, try the Works 6-9 Document (*.wps) option first.
  3. Browse to the location of the Works file you want to open, select the file, then click Open.

After I open the file, it's not formatted properly

Depending on the Microsoft Works file, it may look strange because formatting is not converted correctly. If this occurs, try opening the file as a different Works version. If this does not work, you'll have to change the formatting manually in Word if you want it to display correctly.

Saving the file as a Word file

To continue to use this file or want to make it compatible with Microsoft Word, follow the steps below.

  1. After the file is opened and edited, click File and choose Save As. If there is no File menu, click the Microsoft Office button in the top-left of the Word window, then click Save As.
  2. In the Save As window, select the location you want to save the file.
Note

In Microsoft Word 2016 and later, click the Browse option after clicking the File tab to open the Save As window.

  1. Type a name for the file if you want to change it.
  2. In the Save as type drop-down menu or the unlabeled drop-down menu next to the File name text field, make sure to select Microsoft Word (*.docx).
  3. Click OK or Save when done.