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Error message when you try to open a word processor file in the Works 9 Word Processor: “Works cannot open <path\filename>”

Article ID: 940003 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a word processor file in the Microsoft Works 9 Word Processor, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

Works cannot open <path\filename>. The file may be in use by another application, the file format may not be supported by any of the installed converters, or the file may be corrupt.

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CAUSE

This issue may occur if one of the following conditions is true:

The file that you are trying to open is damaged.
Works 9 does not have the required text converter to open the file.
The file was created and saved in Microsoft Works 4.x.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, download and then install the Microsoft Works 4 File Converter. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Download Center Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b37a2510-6ad0-495a-8262-48305325110b

(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b37a2510-6ad0-495a-8262-48305325110b)

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To work around this issue, open the file in a version of Microsoft Works or Microsoft Word that includes the text converter. Then, save the file in a format that is compatible with Works 9. The text converter is included with the following Microsoft programs:

Microsoft Works 6.0
Microsoft Works 7.0
Microsoft Works 8.0
Microsoft Works Suite 2004
Microsoft Works Suite 2005
Microsoft Works Suite 2006
Microsoft Word 2000
Microsoft Word 2002
Microsoft Office Word 2003

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MORE INFORMATION

The Works 4.0 file converter (Works432.cnv) is not installed with Works 9. Works 4.0 word processor documents and templates cannot be opened without this file converter.

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