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Step by Step Creating, Opening and Saving NonWord Documents

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Step by step Creating, Opening, and Saving RTF and Other nonWord Documents in Word 2013

MSWord 2013 both opens and savees documents for several versions of WordPerfect and Works as well as rich text (RTF) files. This handout explains how to save and open these documents.

Opening NonWord Documents

  1. Windows often refuses to recognize nonWord documents. Don't let this deter you. Open MSWord and insert the disk which holds the WordPerfect or other document.

  2. Click File of the Ribbon and then select Open.


    3. Here is where you open files in Word 2013.

  3. Select your flash drive if you see it, or browse for it under My Computer.


  4. Word shows you a large box. Word 2013 shows Rich Text (RTF) files along with regular Word documents.


    5. Rich text files are here.

    Choose All Files for Wordperfect and other documents pull down menu on the bottom of the box and select All Files or *. You will see your file along with anything else on the storage disk or in your folder.


  5. Now, click on your file to open it.

  6. It is also possible to create both an MSWord and nonWord version of the same file. (See below).

Saving/Creating NonWord Documents

If your computer at home does not read the latest version of MSWord or if you are planning to send a resume to an employer who may not have the most current software, you may want to save your document in Rich Text (RTF) format.

  1. To do this, first create a document. Then click Fileon the of the Ribbon.


  2. Choose Save As from the menu on the left hand side.

    Choose saveas instead of save

  3. Browse to or select the folder/drive where you want to save your file.


  4. MSWord shows you a large box. Write your file's name in the long box at the bottom.


  5. Click the scroll bar on the bottom of the box and select Rich Text File and then click Save


For resumes, and other shared documents, Rich Text (RTF format) often works best. Nearly all word processing software reads RTF files, and Rich Text retains much of MSWord's formatting, though not MSWord's resume templates.

For your own use, choose the format that fits your home computer.

Word also saves your document in MSWord 97/2003 format. and you can also save your file first as an MSWord 2010 document and then as the same document in a different format, by repeating Steps 1-4. This works well when your own computer has an older version of MSWord or when faculty or a prospective employer ask for an older format.

Save as Rich Text using the scroll bar


A Note about File Formats

MSWord 2013 can only read file formats for software that is the same age or older than itself. MSWord can read, create, and save files in any of the following formats:

a) MSWord 2003 (.doc files) or Compatability Mode as well as older versions of MSWord.

b) Works 6 and 7. This is an older format that preceeds MS Word.

c) RTF documents. RTF stands for rich text formatting. It is a universally readable format that has more options than plain text.

d) Plain text files.

e) PDF files.

f) XPS documents, a formatted document useful for test printing.