.WPS File Extension

Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Developer Microsoft
Popularity
3.6  |  88 Votes
 

What is a WPS file?

A WPS file is a text document created by Microsoft Works Word Processor, the word processing program that preceded Microsoft Word. It is very similar to a Word document (.DOC file). However, WPS files cannot contain some of the advanced formatting that Word documents contain, and they cannot contain macros.

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Screenshot of a .wps file in LibreOffice Writer 5
WPS file open in LibreOffice Writer 5

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many people used Microsoft Works Word Processor to create essays, letters, invitations, financial reports, resumes, newsletters, and other documents. These documents were saved as WPS files. However, as Microsoft Word and the DOC format became more popular, the WPS format's prevalence decreased.

In 2006, Microsoft officially discontinued the WPS format and replaced it with the DOC format. Microsoft retired Microsoft Works in 2009, with Works 9 being the program's final version.

How to open a WPS file

If you still have access to Microsoft Works Word Processor, you can open all WPS files with that program. If you do not have access to Works Word Processor, you can open most WPS files with Microsoft Word. Word 2010 and later versions can open WPS files created by Works Word Processor versions 6 to 9. To open a WPS file in Word:

  1. Select File → Open.
  2. In the File Type dropdown menu, select All Files (*.*).
  3. Navigate to and open your WPS file.

You can also open WPS files in the Writer word processor included with LibreOffice, Apache OpenOffice, Planamesa NeoOffice, and OxygenOffice Professional.

How to convert a WPS file

Most word processors that can open WPS files can convert them to other formats. For example, LibreOffice Writer can convert WPS files to the following formats (and many others):

  • .ODT - OpenDocument Text Document
  • .DOCX, .DOC - Microsoft Word Document
  • .RTF - Rich Text Format
  • .TXT - Plain Text
  • .XML - Extensible Markup Language
  • .HTML - Hypertext Markup Langauge
  • .PDF - Portable Document Format
  • .EPUB - Open eBook
  • .JPG - JPEG Image
  • .PNG - Portable Network Graphic
Open and view .WPS files with File Viewer Plus.Free Download

Programs that open WPS files

Kingsoft Writer Document

Developer Kingsoft
Popularity
3.5  |  67 Votes
 

A WPS file may also be a text document created by Kingsoft Writer, a word processor included in Kingsoft's WPS Office suite. It contains formatted text; it may also include images, tables, charts, and other elements. WPS files are similar to Microsoft Word documents (.DOC or .DOCX files).

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Screenshot of a .wps file in Kingsoft WPS Office 2019
WPS file open in Kingsoft WPS Office 2019

WPS Office is a free productivity suite that is akin to Microsoft Office. It includes a word processor named Writer. By default, Writer saves users' documents as WPS files.

Users can create WPS files from scratch or from .WPT templates, which contain default document formatting and elements. Writer includes some templates, and users can download additional templates from the WPS Template Store.

How to open a WPS file

You can use Kingsoft Writer, which is included in Kingsoft WPS Office, to open and edit WPS files. From the WPS Office Home menu, select Open. Then, navigate to and open your WPS file.

How to convert a WPS file

Kingsoft Writer can convert WPS files to the following formats:

  • .DOC, .DOCX - Microsoft Word Document
  • .DOT, .DOTX - Microsoft Word Document Template
  • .RTF - Rich Text Format
  • .TXT - Plain Text
  • .DOCM - Microsoft Word Macro-enabled Document
  • .DOTM - Microsoft Word Macro-enabled Document Template
  • .XML - Extensible Markup Language
  • .MHTML - MIME HTML
  • .HTML - Hypertext Markup Language
  • .PDF - Portable Document Format

Programs that open WPS files

Translator's Workbench Project File

Developer SDL
Popularity
3.1  |  15 Votes
 

Project settings file saved by Translator's Workbench, a language translation and localization program; stores settings used for translating application text into another language; enables users to store and reuse translation memory system properties.

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SDL replaced Translator's Workbench with the newer SDL Trados Studio software.

Programs that open WPS files

Windows
SDL Translator's Workbench

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