WPS file format
| Extension | .wps |
| Category | documents |
| Programs | Microsoft Word NeoOffice OxygenOffice Works Converter |
| Main program | Microsoft Works Word Processor |
| Description | .wps (Microsoft Works Word Processor) The .wps file format is used by Microsoft Works Word Processor, which was a part of Microsoft's discontinued Works suite. WPS files are similar to Microsoft Word documents but have fewer features and were used in a more basic word processing program. Due to the limited adoption of Microsoft Works and the dominance of Microsoft Word in the word processing space, WPS files are less common and may require specific software or converters to open in more modern word processing programs. |
| Technical details | The .wps file format, which was part of the now-defunct Microsoft Works suite, was primarily used for word processing. .wps files, created by the "Works Word Processor," had basic formatting similar to early versions of Microsoft Word but lacked advanced features. Originally only compatible with Microsoft Works, certain versions of Microsoft Word can now open .wps files with limited formatting options after the discontinuation of Works. Due to the decline of Microsoft Works, .wps files often need to be converted to formats like .doc or .docx for better compatibility. The .wps format differed across various versions of Microsoft Works, affecting file compatibility. Although less popular compared to formats like .doc, .wps supported basic graphics and tables, had smaller file sizes, and is now considered a legacy format requiring specific conversion tools. The discontinuation of Microsoft Works has decreased the use of .wps files, with more focus placed on standard document formats. Understanding the .wps format is essential for accessing or converting older documents. |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-works application/kswps |