Convert CH3 to CHT

Understanding CH3 and CHT file formats

CH3 files are document files created by Harvard Graphics 3.0, a popular presentation and charting software from the 1990s. These files typically contain charts, graphs, and presentation slides. On the other hand, CHT files are chart template files used by various applications, most notably Microsoft Chart and some other charting or graphing tools. CHT files usually store chart formatting, layout, and style information, but not the actual data.

Why convert CH3 to CHT?

Converting a CH3 file to a CHT file allows you to reuse chart templates or formatting in modern charting applications. This is especially useful if you want to preserve the look and feel of your original Harvard Graphics charts in newer software environments.

How to convert CH3 to CHT

There is no direct, one-click converter for CH3 to CHT due to the age and proprietary nature of the CH3 format. However, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the CH3 file in Harvard Graphics 3.0 (if available). If you do not have access to Harvard Graphics, consider using a virtual machine with DOS or Windows 3.x and the software installed.
2. Export the chart using File → Export or File → Save As. Choose a common format such as WMF (Windows Metafile), EMF (Enhanced Metafile), or BMP (Bitmap).
3. Import the exported file into a modern charting application that supports template creation, such as Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Chart.
4. Create a chart template in the new application by formatting the imported chart and saving it as a CHT file using File → Save As Template or a similar option.

Best software for CH3 to CHT conversion

The most reliable method involves using Harvard Graphics 3.0 for opening CH3 files and Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Chart for creating CHT templates. If you do not have access to Harvard Graphics, you may try LibreOffice Impress or OpenOffice Impress for importing WMF/EMF exports, but template export to CHT is not natively supported.

Summary

While there is no direct CH3 to CHT converter, you can transfer chart designs by exporting from Harvard Graphics and recreating templates in modern charting software. This process preserves your chart's appearance and allows for future editing and reuse.