Create a word document without word?

Posted on Categories Personal

A friend asked a few weeks back how I’d do this. There are four good options (at least):

  1. Download and install Open Office, which is a reasonably complete open source office suite that can read an write the corresponding Microsoft Office file formats. This is actually a Sun-led project but works well enough especially for your limited needs. Handy if you have other productivity tool needs (like PowerPoint, Excel, Access) too.
  2. Use an already installed, compatible tool:
    • Many PCs come with either Microsoft Works (the word processing component can save files in Word format).
    • All Windows PCs since Windows 98 (I think) have WordPad, which saves files in Word-compatible RTF format. Look for it in Start Menu | Programs | Accessories.
  3. Download and install CutePDF and GhostView, both freeware, which gives you the ability to ‘print’ to PDF format from any Windows app–everybody can read PDF files and they retain the formatting.
  4. Send the non-Word version to a friend who has Word.