WD: Lotus Notes for Mac Doesn't Recognize Word 6 or RTF Files (124662)

SYMPTOMS

In Lotus Notes version 3.x for the Macintosh, some Word files may not appear in the Open dialog box. Word files that were saved in Word format or in Rich Text Format (RTF) are not on the list of available files.

CAUSE

The Macintosh file type for Word 6.0 documents is different than for earlier versions of Word. In Word 4.0 and 5.x, the file type was "WDBN." Word 6.0 uses the "W6BN" file type, and Word 98 uses "W8BN". Lotus Notes for the Macintosh does not recognize this new file type nor can it convert these files. Only recognized file formats appear on the list of available files.

Lotus Notes can read RTF files. To display these files, change the File Type to "TEXT" (instead of "RTF"). Earlier versions of Word used "TEXT" for RTF files.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Change the File Type

Use a resource or file editor (such as ResEdit) to change the RTF file's File Type to TEXT.

Method 2: Use Word to Convert an RTF File to Text

To do this, follow these steps:

Save the file as Rich Text Format.
Close the file.
On the File menu, click Open.
Click to select the Confirm Conversions check box in the Open dialog.
Locate and open the file.
When prompted for the converter to use, select Text Only.
On the File menu, click Save.
Close the file.

The file can now be opened by Lotus Notes.

STATUS

Lotus has been notified of the problem with RTF files. Lotus Notes is manufactured by Lotus Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.