ClarisWorks really suffers in file import and export. Using numerous translators and the XTND system, ClarisWorks can import and export a fairly impressive range of word processing and graphics documents for a low-end program. However, it can't directly import most spreadsheet and database formats, and disappointingly it cannot even import or export to Claris's own products, FileMaker Pro, Resolve, or MacDraw II. Claris says that improving import/export, along with System 7-savvy features, would have significantly delayed release, so they decided to leave those features for the future.

The Standard File dialogs do have the nice feature of being able to look at known imports of only certain types (e.g. only word processing, only graphics, etc.) or all ClarisWorks or all possible imports at once. Text-only documents are readable as any document type and are treated appropriately - tabbed data is put in the appropriate column when read into a spreadsheet, put into fields in a database, etc.

Here's a complete list of import and export options currently available, as shown in the SFDialog box:

Word Processing:

Import: Acta 3.0, AppleWorks, AppleWorks GS, MacWrite, MacWrite II, Word 3.0, Word 4.0, Word PC, Microsoft Works 1.1 and 2.0, Microsoft Write, RTF, Text, WordPerfect Mac 1.0, WordPerfect PC 4.2, WordPerfect PC 5.0, WriteNow, WriteNow NeXT

Export: all the above with the exception of Acta, plain AppleWorks, oldest MacWrite, and WordPerfect PC 5.0, and with the addition of WriteNow 1.1-2.0, MacWrite 5.0, and AppleWorks 2.0.

Graphics:

Import: EPSF, MacPaint, MacPaint 2.0, TIFF, PICT

Export: PICT only.

Spreadsheet:

Import: ASCII, DIF, SYLK, AppleWorks SS, Microsoft Works 2.0 SS

Export: ASCII, DIF, SYLK

Database:

Import: ASCII, DIF, SYLK, AppleWorks DB, Microsoft Works 2.0 DB

Export: ASCII, DIF, SYLK

Communications: Export terminal session as a text-only or ClarisWorks word processing document.