Word Perfect 6.1 automatically recognizes and converts many other Word processing documents including Word Perfect 5.2. To start the conversion, choose File / Open and select the filename. A conversion box will appear indicating the available "foreign" formats. Select the one that matches your document and click OK. If your file format is not on the list, try exporting the document from the other word processor as a RTF (Rich Text Format) or ASCII file. Word Perfect will accept the data in these formats but may lose some of the formatting codes.
Using the Type options in Save As
Exporting data from Word Perfect 6.1 is the same by choosing File / Save As and choosing the foreign format from the Type drop-down selection list.
While Word Perfect will try to keep the same format in converting documents, it may change the document appearance. It works best importing documents with simple formats. Word Perfect features that cannot be exported will be replaced by a space.
II. Importing and Linking Spreadsheets
A wide selection of spreadsheet formats can be imported or linked into Word Perfect. Importing means to place a copy of the data in the document, changes in the source spreadsheet will NOT be reflected in the document. Linking means to place a copy of the spreadsheet data in the document and maintain a link to the source data. This link can be updated to reflect changes in the data in the spreadsheet.
Spreadsheet formats that can be linked include:
Data imported into word perfect can be placed in one of three formats:
To import or link the data, do the following steps:
Importing or Linking a Spreadsheet.
Note that Word Perfect in both linking and importing brings the results of formulas, Not the formula itself. If you change a number in the table no recalculation will be done.
Updating Linked Data
Just because a link has been created, the data in Word Perfect does not change automatically change when it is changed in the spreadsheet. Before an update is made, all changes to the spreadsheet need to be saved to disk. Next enter Word Perfect and choose Insert / Spreadsheet/Database / Update / Yes. The data will be refreshed from the disk file. You can also specify for the data to be refreshed automatically when the document is opened by choosing Insert / Spreadsheet/Database Options / Update on Retrieval.
Links can be deleted when no longer needed by using the Reveal Codes (Alt-F3) feature. Locate the link box and delete it with delete key.
III. Importing and Linking Databases
In general, the same steps are followed for importing data from databases as are followed for spreadsheets. The following represent the valid database formats that allow direct importation:
Other database formats can be imported by exporting the data as ASCII text and then importing it>
To import or link a Database
Follow the same steps as a spreadsheet only choose the proper database type and receiving format. Now specify the filename and the fields to import by checking the box besides the fieldname. You can also specify using the Field names as headings. Note that the Query button will allow you to import only selected records with conditions on up to three fields. Select the field name and fill in the condition box for the field. Note that multiple conditions are ORed while multiple fields within a condition are ANDed.
IV. Using OLE and DDE to share data
Object Link Embedding (OLE) and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) are two of the newer technologies for sharing data. Linking provides automatic updating of the object as it changes in the server apllication, while embedding places a copy of the object in the client. Both OLE and DDE require that the server and client application have this ability. Word Perfect can be an OLE server and client, and a DDE client. Objects linked in OLE can be edited in either the server or client application, while DDE objects can be edited only in the server application.
Some examples of possible servers include:
Using Paste Special
Embedding an Object
In Word Perfect, position the insertion point. Choose Insert / Object / Create New. Double-click the object type you want. Create the object in the application. Exit the application with File / Exit and save changes.
Drag and drop offers a convenient way of moving or copying an object between two applications, particularily if you have both applications running on the screen at the same time. It requires that both applications support OLE2. Some examples that do this are Lotus 1-2-3 release 5, Excel rel 5, Microsoft Word, and Word Perfect. To do it, follow these steps:
Changing and Deleting Links
Open the Links dialog box with Edit / Links. Highlight the link to be changed and choose the appropriate option. For example, Break Link to delete the link.