The .wps extension belongs to two different programs: the old Microsoft Works word processor and the modern WPS Office suite. Word handles them differently, so knowing which one you have saves a lot of trial and error.
- Find out which kind of WPS file you have
- Open a WPS file directly in Word
- Convert the WPS file to a Word document
- Convert a WPS file Word can’t open
Finding out which kind of WPS file you have
Use this when you’re not sure where the file came from.
| Microsoft Works .wps | WPS Office .wps | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Microsoft Works word processor (discontinued) | WPS Office Writer, formerly Kingsoft Writer |
| Typical source | Old home PCs, often from the 2000s | A colleague or student using WPS Office today |
| Opens in Word? | Usually, for Works 6.0 to 9.0 files on Windows | Often not, or with garbled text |
| Best conversion | Word’s Open and Save As | WPS Office’s own Save As .docx |
If the file is old and came from a family PC or an archive, it is almost certainly a Works document. If someone sent it recently, ask whether they use WPS Office.
Note: A Microsoft MVP on Microsoft Q&A confirms that
.wpscan also mean a Kingsoft Writer document, which Word can’t open.
Opening a WPS file directly in Word
Use this when you have a Microsoft Works document and Word for Windows. This is the method shown in the video.
- Open Microsoft Word. The video uses Word 2010 or later, which can read Works documents directly.
- Click File > Open > Browse.
- At the bottom right of the dialog, open the file type list and change it from Word Documents to All Files.
- Go to the folder with the file. The
.wpsfile now appears in the list. - Select the file and click Open.
Result: Word opens the Works document, and you can read and edit it like any other document.
Word converts the file as it opens, so check the layout. Tables, fonts and spacing can shift slightly from how they looked in Works.
Converting the WPS file to a Word document
Use this right after opening the file, so you never need the file type workaround again.
- With the WPS file open in Word, click File > Save As.
- Choose a location, such as This PC or a OneDrive folder.
- In Save as type, select Word Document (*.docx).
- Keep the name or type a new one, then click Save.
Result: You now have a standard .docx copy that opens with a double-click, on any device. The original .wps file stays unchanged.
If the title bar shows Compatibility Mode after you reopen the copy, turn off Compatibility Mode in Word to unlock every current feature.
Converting a WPS file that Word can’t open
Use this when Word shows an error, garbled characters, or asks you to pick an encoding.
That usually means one of three things: it is a WPS Office file, it comes from Works 4.x or earlier, or you are on a Mac. Pick the route that matches.
If the file came from WPS Office:
- Open the file in WPS Office Writer. The free version can save Word files.
- Choose Save As and pick the Microsoft Word document format (
.docx). - Open the new
.docxfile in Word.
If you don’t have WPS Office, ask the sender to save it as .docx before sending. That is usually the fastest fix.
If the file is an older Works document, or you’re on a Mac:
- Install LibreOffice, a free office suite for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Open the
.wpsfile in LibreOffice Writer. It can import many Microsoft Works documents. - Choose File > Save As and choose the Word
.docxfile type. - Open the
.docxfile in Word.
Warning: Avoid random “free converter” downloads. Some old Works converter installers are now only hosted on third-party sites. Stick to the original program, LibreOffice or Word itself.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Best for | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Word Open with All Files | Microsoft Works 6.0 to 9.0 documents | Word for Windows |
| Word Save As .docx | Making the file permanent and shareable | Word for Windows and Mac |
| WPS Office Save As .docx | Files created in WPS Office | Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile |
| LibreOffice Save As .docx | Older Works files, or Mac users | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Platform differences
- Word for Windows: the only version that reads Works documents directly, as shown in the video.
- Word for Mac: the Works converter is a Windows feature. If Word for Mac can’t open the file, convert it with LibreOffice or WPS Office first.
- Word for the web and mobile: convert the file to
.docxon a computer, then upload it to OneDrive. - Google Docs: convert to
.docxfirst, then follow the steps to open a Word file in Google Docs without losing formatting.
Troubleshooting WPS files in Word
- The .wps file doesn’t appear in the Open dialog: the file type list is still set to Word Documents. Change it to All Files.
- Word shows boxes, symbols or random characters: it is probably a WPS Office file. Convert it in WPS Office or LibreOffice instead.
- Word asks you to choose a text encoding: Word doesn’t recognise the format and is treating it as plain text. Cancel and use another converter.
- Pictures or tables are missing: older Works files may not convert fully. Open the file in LibreOffice and compare, then copy anything missing.
- You have dozens of old Works files: convert them to
.docxfirst. Once they’re Word files, you can combine them into one document if you need a single archive.
Need to send the converted file back to someone who works in Google Docs? See how to convert Google Docs to Word for the return trip, or browse more Microsoft Word guides.