[Solved] Convert WPS Office documents to OpenOffice

[Haydee48]

I have a lot of documents which are WPS. I need to cancel my subscription with WPS but I am worried that all the docs I have will dissapear after cancelling. I tried with one document without opening it - clicked on Properties and it showed that it was a WPS, I clicked 'change' and can't remember the option I clicked but it changed all the documents from WPS to an 'unknown application'. I tried to see if the documents open well and yes, they do but I don't know if that is going to be permanent. Can anyone help with this? Is there any other way of changing from WPS to OpenOffice?
TIA

[LastUnicorn]

When you say the documents are WPS are you saying that the files are "Microsoft Works Word Processor Documents"? Or do you mean something else?

[RoryOF]

I think, because of the mention of WPS subscription, that these are Word Perfect documents.

[LastUnicorn]

I think, because of the mention of WPS subscription, that these are Word Perfect documents.

Maybe and maybe not Rory.

When you say WPS is this what you mean you are using: WPS Office for Windows

Or do you mean something else?

[LastUnicorn]

I'm thinking that as the attached image says the document is Type of file: Microsoft Document (.docx) that this might be from an Office Suite that can save files as .docx. And the application I point to above (which I have no previous knowledge of) seems to advertise that it can do that.

If so then the files probably are .docx and LibreOffice, rather then OpenOffice, would have the best handling for that file type.

Maybe if Haydee48 could attach a sample document, that would be helpful for determining if OpenOffice/LibreOffice can deal with the files.

[Haydee48]

Thank you for all the replies. I am not very profficient in this field. Yes, it is WPS office.

[Haydee48]

On the attachment where it says 'Opens with', previously was with WPS. I cicked on 'change' and I can't remember what did I chose and clicked 'apply' - all the documents changed at once.

[LastUnicorn]

Right then in that case what you have done is inadvertently set that no application will open a file with the .docx extension.

To sort that right-click on one of the files and in the context menu that opens up choose Open With... a window should open asking what application to open the file with, choose OpenOffice — it might be OpenOffice Writer— and also choose Always.

Does doing this fix the issue?

[RoryOF]

Note that, if the docx opens with OpenOffice, you will not be able to Save in that format after any edit; instead, you should Save As, and choose .odt format for preference, or .doc (oh horror!) instead.

[LastUnicorn]

At which point for managing .docx files then switching from OpenOffice to LibreOffice is the best move. LibreOffice can save in .docx format though it isn't advisable to do so, best to save the file in .odt format and only ever save as .docx if you have a utterly pressing essential need to pass a .docx file to another user.

There are several good reasons for making the switch to LibreOffice anyway, some of which are mentioned here: [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information

[Haydee48]

Somehow, now all the documents I changed from WPS to OpenOffice are fine and I can open them with OpenOffice without any problems. Thank you all for your help.

[RoryOF]

I suggest that, as you revisit each document, you Save As in .odt format, and use that document and format for future editing.

[Haydee48]

Hi roryOF thank you for your hint. I will do that.