Using Macintosh PC Exchange or Macintosh Apple File Exchange (108599)

SUMMARY

Macintosh PC Exchange is an Apple Macintosh control panel utility that translates MS-DOS files automatically. PC Exchange, included with System 7.5 and higher, is not the same as the Apple File Exchange (AFE) utility that was provided with the earlier versions of the Apple operating system software.

The Works for Windows 3.0 "Works Troubleshooting" file, MSWORKS3.TXT, describes how to use Macintosh PC Exchange to transfer files to the Macintosh. The following information is a summary of this process and a workaround to use if you do not own PC Exchange. Support for Macintosh PC Exchange is provided by Apple and Apple dealers.

MORE INFORMATION

Using Macintosh PC Exchange

To open a Works for Windows file in Works for the Macintosh, do the following:

On a disk, save your Works file in the Works For The Macintosh format.
Insert the disk in the Macintosh drive and open the file directly into Works for the Macintosh 3.0.

If the error message

There is no translator available to import the file <document name>...

is displayed when trying to open the file in Works for the Macintosh, make sure that the correct document associations have been added to PC Exchange, according to the following table. To check this, choose Control Panels from the Apple menu and select PC Exchange. The scroll box there should include the MS-DOS suffixes in the table below. If the PC Exchange control panel is not available, or does not contain the correct document associations, Macintosh PC Exchange is not setup correctly. Check your PC Exchange documentation, or contact Apple or an Apple dealer for assistance in configuring PC Exchange.

   MS-DOS Suffix    Application Program    Document Type
   -------------    -------------------    -------------

   *.WP              Microsoft Works        AWWP
   *.SS              Microsoft Works        AWSS
   *.DB              Microsoft Works        AWDB

To open a Works for Macintosh file in Works for Windows:

Save the file in the normal Works for the Macintosh format, using no more than eight characters for the filename and an extension of .WPS for Word Processor, .WKS for Spreadsheet, or .WDB for Database.
Insert the disk in the MS-DOS machine and open the file in Works.

Using Apple File Exchange (Workaround)

If you do not have Macintosh PC Exchange, you can save your file in a different format and then use Apple File Exchange or another method to translate the file between the Windows and Macintosh environments.

To open a Works for Windows file in Works for the Macintosh:

Save the file from Works in one of the following formats:

      File Type        Save As
      ---------        -------

      Word Processor   Works for Windows 2.0/Works for DOS WP
      Spreadsheet      Works for Windows 2.0/Works for DOS SS
      Database         Text and Tabs

Transfer the file from the MS-DOS disk to a Macintosh drive using Apple File Exchange or another utility.

NOTE: Consult your "Macintosh System User's Manual" for more information about using the Apple File Exchange utility.
In Works for the Macintosh 3.0, choose Open from the File menu.
Select the appropriate file type, such as Database, and open the file.

To open a Works for the Macintosh file in Works for Windows:

Save the file in the normal Works for the Macintosh format, using no more than eight characters for the filename and an extension of .WPS for Word Processor, .WKS for Spreadsheet, or .WDB for Database.
Transfer the file to an MS-DOS disk using Apple File Exchange or another utility.
Insert the disk in the MS-DOS machine and open the file in Works for Windows.