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How to Open Essential WPS Files

WPS files are an older, proprietary file format that was used in the Microsoft Works office suite. While not as commonly used today, you may still encounter these files and need to know how to open them. This guide will provide an overview of WPS files and detail multiple methods to open them on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

What are WPS Files?

  • WPS stands for “Works Word Processor Document”
  • Proprietary file format created by Microsoft for the Works office suite
  • Functionally similar to Word documents (.doc files) but less compatible
  • Contain text documents like letters, reports, resumes, newsletters, etc.
  • Lack some advanced formatting options compared to more modern formats
  • No longer supported by Microsoft Works which was discontinued in 2009

So in summary, WPS files are basic word processing documents that were associated with older versions of Microsoft Works. You are unlikely to see new WPS files created today but may encounter legacy files that need opening.

Opening WPS Files on Windows

There are a few good options to open WPS files on Windows PCs:

Use Microsoft Word

  • Microsoft Word can directly open most WPS files
  • Simply double click the file or open Word and select File > Open
  • Generally maintains original formatting well
  • Works on all modern Windows versions

Use Free Office Suites

Free office suites like LibreOffice or OpenOffice can also open WPS files:

  • Provide functionality similar to Microsoft Office
  • Tend to handle WPS files quite well in most cases
  • May see some formatting changes compared to Word
  • Easy to install and use if you don’t already have Office

Online File Converters

Another option is to use a free online file conversion site:

  • Allows opening WPS files in your web browser
  • Converts WPS to more compatible formats like Word DOC/DOCX or PDF
  • Very convenient but may lose some complex formatting
  • Useful for quick viewing without installing any software

Windows Apps

There are also dedicated WPS viewer apps for Windows:

  • Simple lightweight apps just for WPS files
  • Offer basic editing functions in some cases
  • Handy if you need to regularly open WPS documents
  • Examples include File Viewer Plus, WPS Viewer, Kingsoft Office

Opening WPS Files on Mac

Opening WPS files is a bit trickier on Macs but there are still several solid options:

Use LibreOffice

  • LibreOffice for Mac handles WPS files very well
  • Provides full editing capabilities
  • Retains most formatting intact
  • Completely free open-source office suite

Online File Converters

  • Just like on Windows, online file converters work for Mac
  • Allow WPS viewing and conversion without any software install
  • Great option for quick one-off file viewing

Third-Party Apps

  • Specialty Mac apps for handling WPS files also exist
  • Offer functions like file conversion, editing, etc.
  • Examples include WPS Office and SoftMaker Office
  • Useful if working with WPS files regularly

So those are the best ways to open WPS files on both Windows and Mac operating systems. The easiest options are typically Microsoft Word on Windows or LibreOffice on Mac. But free online converters provide a lot of flexibility when needed as well. With several solid choices available, no one should have issues accessing the contents of legacy WPS documents today.

Alternative WPS File Opening Methods

Here are a couple additional options for opening WPS files:

Use Cross-Platform Apps

Applications like WPS Office and SoftMaker Office are available on both Windows and Mac. So you can use the same solution to open WPS files across operating systems. The unified interface and features make these apps handy for regular WPS file users.

Convert to Other Formats

Since the WPS format has limited compatibility, converting to more widely usable formats like Word DOC/DOCX, RTF, PDF, HTML, or text can improve accessibility. Most WPS compatible software allows exporting files to other formats. Just be aware some complex formatting may be lost when converting WPS documents.

Troubleshooting Tips

When trying to open WPS files, you may encounter issues like errors or formatting changes. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

  • Try opening the file in multiple programs to isolate potential software issues
  • Verify you have the latest compatibility updates/patches installed
  • For online converters, check the advanced settings for conversion options
  • If possible, ask the file creator to re-save or export the WPS file to a more compatible format
  • As a last resort, you can copy and paste the converted text content into a new document

While working with older WPS files can pose some challenges, armed with the right software and strategies, accessing these documents is quite feasible in most cases. Any of the covered solutions should allow you to successfully open essential WPS files when needed.

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