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From: chuq@plaid.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: File format of Microsoft Word
Message-ID: <35584@sun.uucp>
Date: Fri, 4-Dec-87 12:46:26 EST
Article-I.D.: sun.35584
Posted: Fri Dec  4 12:46:26 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 8-Dec-87 03:29:36 EST
References: <178@iconsys.UUCP>
Sender: news@sun.uucp
Reply-To: chuq@sun.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach)
Organization: Fictional Reality, uLtd
Lines: 21
Keywords: Word

>I am trying to write an application to do file conversion
>and would like to be able to convert directly
>into a Microsoft Word 3.0 file format.  Does anyone have
>information on the the Normal file format as well as the 
>RFT file format of Microsoft Word 3.0?  Does anyone know
>where I could get information?

The format of the word 3.0 file is proprietary. Microsoft will license it to
vendors that need to read it (such as spell checkers and layout programs)
but you need to talk to them about that. Also note that reading the format
is a non-trivial exercise, especially if 'fast save' in enabled. If you use
a non-optimal algorithm, you can go to lunch while loading a file (this is
the case with Ready, Set, Go! 4.0, which reads 3.0, but possibly very
slowly...)

I haven't seen a full spec on the transfer format. If someone has it, please
post it. If not, I'll see about tracking one down.

chuq
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Chuq "Fixed in 4.0" Von Rospach			chuq@sun.COM	Delphi: CHUQ