Converting Files
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Introduction
Although the following programs are being considered for PipeDream File conversion, the majority of files are just transferred as 'Plain Text' files and then used on the target word processor. What happens if the text formatting needs to be retained, or the formulae in spreadsheets are retained? This is what this section is exploring.
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Conversion Programs | |||
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PC PipeDream
Conversion is done when saving files.
When saving files,
File Save
The file is usually saved as PipeDream file. When converting a file, the only line that we are interested in is the last one which gives five options.
Format | To be used | Type of File | Name | Comments |
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Pd | In PipeDream | Multi function | PipeDream |
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Lotus | In Spreadsheets | Contains formulaes | Lotus 1-2-3 | Microsoft do not convert this file format in Excel 2013. |
Comma | In Databases | One line per record, commas separating fields | Comma delimited |
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Tab | In Word processing |
| Plain Text |
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Auto | When Loading | Will load correct format if saved by PipeDream |
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Smartsuite
| IBM have taken over from Lotus with the Smartsuite product and it is still available. Fortunately, I still have that product. The oldest one that has AmiPro 3.1 for Windows 3 installed on the Virtual Windows xp Professional using the same procedure below. This program supports the following conversions. |
Word Processing
MS Word Word 97 (*.DOC), MS Word Word for DOS 3, 4, 5, 6 (*.DOC), MS Word Word for OS/2 (*.DOC), MS Word Word for Windows 1.0 (*.DOC), MS Word Word for Windows 2.0 (*.DOC), MS Word Word for Windows 6.0 (*.DOC), MS Word Word for Windows95 7.0 (*.DOC).
Spreadsheet
Lotus 1-2-3 (*.W*), Lotus 1-2-3 97 (*123),Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2 (*.WG*),Lotus 1-2-3 R3 (*.WK3),Lotus 1-2-3 R4 (*.WK4),
MS Excel (*.XLS), MS Excel 3.0 (*.XLS), MS Excel 4.0 (*.XLS), MS Excel 5.0 (*.XLS), MS Excel 7.0 (*.XLS), MS Excel 97 (*.XLS),
Database
dBase/ANSI (*.DBF), dBase/ASCII (*.DBF)
A full listing of all the conversions are listed here.
Fireworkz
| Input Files | Output Files |
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Fireworkz for Windows was released after PC PipeDream. It can only convert PipeDream files into Lotus 1-2-3 format and not the other way round. Download may be obtained from here.
Summary of Conversions
File Conversion | File Ext |
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| Type of File | Program |
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PipeDream | *.pd | > | Plain Text File | Word-processor | Z88 PipeDream |
| .txt | OZ | This is the easiest way of just using text. It ignores any formatting commands. Do not use columns, just do all the typing in Col A. |
PipeDream | *.pd | > | TAB File | Word-processor | PC PipeDream |
| .txt | DOS | This is the easiest way of just using text. It ignores any formatting commands. Do not use columns, just do all the typing in Col A. |
PipeDream | *.pd | > | WordStar | Word-processor | PTW | PC Link2 | *.ws | DOS |
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PipeDream | *.pd | > | Lotus 1-2-3 | Spreadsheet | Fireworkz |
| *.wk1 | Win 32bit |
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PipeDream | *.pd | > | Lotus 1-2-3 | Spreadsheet | PC PipeDream |
| *.wk1 | DOS |
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PipeDream | *.pd | > | Lotus 1-2-3 | Spreadsheet | PTL | PC Link2 | *.wk1 | DOS |
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PipeDream | *.pd | > | Comma | Database | PC PipeDream |
| *.csv | DOS |
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