The Mac Lawyer Using Macs in Law Firms | Attorney Ben Stevens

How to Work with WordPerfect Files on a Mac

By J. Benjamin Stevens on Posted in How Do I ... ?

Some attorneys just seem to love WordPerfect.  I am not (and have never been) one of them, though I have several good friends who are.  For that reason, I occasionally receive files in *.wpd format, which I must open on my Mac.  This might seem to pose a slight problem, since there hasn’t been a Mac version of WordPerfect for several years.

Fortunately, there are several solutions to this "problem."  The one that I prefer is to simply open the *.wpd files using NeoOffice, a free open source word processor, and then saving into one of the many available formats, which will work with virtually all of the Mac word processing programs. In fact, many attorneys use NeoOffice as their word processing program, though I prefer Pages for my firm.

Of course, if you don’t want to use NeoOffice, you can also utilize one of the following methods: online translators (Zamzar or Media-Convert), translation program (MacLinkPlus), other word processing programs (Open Office, AbiWord, or Nisus Writer), or run WordPerfect for Macintosh using Classic environment (pre-Intel Macs) or Sheepshaver
(Intel Macs).

  • William Jackson

    Open Office 3 runs native now. I can run it in Snow Leopard even booted into 64 bit mode.

  • Jennifer Ator

    Yes, but how to do deliver a document in word perfect v11 format to the court (as required by Court order)?

  • Jochen Brosien

    Hi,
    I recently purchased a MacBook Pro for my wife. She is as well one of the attorneys who loves to work with WordPerfect. after talking to the Corel Hotline there is apparently no “WordPerfect for Mac” version available. The advice was to run the Mac like a PC. As a complete rookie to a Mac … who do I do that?
    I REALLY appreciate any help and guidance!
    Thanks,
    JB

  • http://www.BarnettLaw.com Kimberly A. Barnett

    I too use WordPerfect in my solo office, have since v3.1!!! (Loved v5.1 when the fax ability was implemented.) Now, it is just part of my office. I have just pruchased an iPad and love it. Loved the iMac 21.5″ as well at the store. But, without WordPerfect, I am reluctant to switch. I am currently utilizing a netbook in my office. (Look Mom, no cords!) The iPad with an iMac would really make live easier with info easily transferred between the two, and only one cord. I can live with Keynote. But I would miss the PDF function and pleadings of WordPerfect. Way better than Bill’s. Maybe Corel will reinstate a Mac version with Office v6 and I’ll be a iMac? Until then, WordPerfect is why I’m a PC with an iPad.

  • http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/wordperfectmac/ John Rethorst

    WordPerfect Mac can now run on Intel Macs and on Macs using the Leopard OS (10.5) and later, using a free emulator called SheepShaver. A complete, one-click install is free at:
    http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/wordperfectmac/
    This site also has hundreds of third-party files and links, and a knowledgeable, active support group.
    John R.

  • Cheryl Warren

    Hi, I am not a licensed practicing attorney but would like to join the group. I favor Word Perfect and want to convert from P.C. to Mac. And generally would like to become proficient in using mac applications. Really appreciate your expertise.

  • Derick Fay

    Here is my approach / some resources to the switch.
    http://dfay.fastmail.fm/wordperfect/
    Gero Hermann’s Spotlight plug-in and QuickLook viewer have made things a lot easier.