4 Ways to Convert a WordPerfect Document to MS Word

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Do you have a WordPerfect document that you need to edit in Microsoft Word? Fortunately, Word can open WordPerfect (*.wpd) files, which means you can easily save them as Word DOCX files without having WordPerfect installed. If you don't have Word, you can just save the document as a Word (*.docx) file in WordPerfect or use an online WPD to DOCX converter. If you have both Word and WordPerfect, you can also just copy the content of the WordPerfect document and paste it into blank Word document. We'll walk you through 4 easy ways to convert WordPerfect WPD documents to the Microsoft Word format.

Things You Should Know

  • When converting a WordPerfect document to the Microsoft Word file type, the formatting may not look exactly the same.
  • Microsoft Word, as well as free office suites like OpenOffice and LibreOffice, can open and convert WordPerfect (WPD) files.
  • Some online converters offer batch conversions if you need to convert more than one document.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using WordPerfect

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  1. If you have WordPerfect, you can easily save your document in the Word DOCX format.
  2. This will let you save the WordPerfect file as a Word file.
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  3. You can choose this option from the "File type" menu at the bottom of the window. [1]
  4. Type a name for your file and choose a location to save it to. Once you click Save , you'll find your new Word DOCX file at the selected location.
    • Next to "File Type," change the file type (.doc or .docx). [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Microsoft Word

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  1. You'll find Word in your Windows menu on a PC or in the Applications folder (macOS). [3]
  2. This menu is at the top-left corner of Word.
  3. The steps to do this vary depending on your version of Word. Usually you'll have to click Browse and then open the folder that contains your WordPerfect document.
    • WordPerfect documents end with .wpd or .doc, depending on the version.
  4. This opens the WordPerfect file in Microsoft Word.
  5. If this doesn't open the "Save" or "Save As" dialog box, click Browse on the menu after choosing Save As .
  6. You can save it anywhere you wish.
  7. You can do this by clicking the drop-down menu next to "Save as type" or "File format" and selecting Word document (*.docx) .
  8. This document will now be saved as a new Word document, ending with the ".docx" file extension.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using an Online File Converter

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  1. Go to https://document.online-convert.com/convert-to-docx in a web browser. This is a free tool called Online Convert, which you can use to convert a WordPerfect document (and various other types of files) to the Microsoft Word .docx format.
    • There are many different options for file converters online. If you don't want to use this one, you can search for "WPD to DOCX converter." The steps on other converters should be similar.
  2. It's in the green box at the center of the screen.
  3. This uploads the file to the converter.
  4. It's below the green box. The file will now be converted. Once the process is complete, a download button will appear.
    • Depending on your computer, the Save or Save As window may automatically pop up.
  5. It's the green button under the "Your converted file" header.
  7. The converted file will now download to your computer.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Copy and Paste

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  1. This method will not work if you don't have WordPerfect. It's also not a time-efficient way to convert files, but it is the most reliable method.
  2. You can use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl/Cmd + A to select all the text in the document and Ctrl/Cmd +C to copy everything.
  3. You can do this by opening Word, then going to File > New .
  4. Press Ctrl/Cmd + V to paste from your clipboard. Everything you copied, even the formatting will be pasted into the Word document, which means the formatting may make your text look like gibberish.
  5. As soon as you press the keyboard shortcut to paste, you'll notice a tooltip appears next to your cursor with "Paste Options."
    • Click the last icon that looks like an "A" on a clipboard, which says "Keep Text Only" when you hover over it. You can also skip using the mouse to click this box and instead press Ctrl/Cmd + T .
    • Alternatively, press Ctrl/Cmd + Alt + V to open the "Paste Special" window, then select "Unformatted Text" to paste without formatting.
  6. Go to File > Save or press Ctrl/Cmd + S to save your file. If your document was highly formatted in WordPerfect (like a table), you'll need to redo that formatting in Word.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can either of these methods be used to do batch conversions, or can they only be done one file at a time?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Some online converters offer batch conversions for a fee. If you have a smaller batch, you might be able to convert them all for free! Using Word is definitely a one-at-a-time process since you have to open a file, then save it as a Word document.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    when I try to convert a wordperfect (wpd) file to Word or a pdf the finished product is always scribble scrabble. I can't read it. What am I doing wrong. Even use Zamzar online and the same think happ
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There can be some formatting issues converting between WordPerfect and MS Word. You can have something formatted perfectly in WordPerfect, but then find gibberish in the MS Word doc after you convert it. If that's the case, you might have better luck copying and pasting the WordPerfect doc into Word. You can also try different online converters or try using Word to open the document.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do I make sure a MS Word document is saved?
    Community Answer
    You can press the save button again once you do the procedures needed for a save. If nothing happens when you press save, you are finished!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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