Convert CWK to CWS

Understanding CWK and CWS file formats

CWK files are associated with ClarisWorks and later AppleWorks, which were integrated office suites for Mac and Windows. CWK files can contain word processing documents, spreadsheets, drawings, or presentations, depending on the module used to create them.

CWS files are a specific subtype of CWK files, representing ClarisWorks/AppleWorks spreadsheet documents. While CWK is a general container, CWS is dedicated to spreadsheet data.

How to convert CWK to CWS

Since CWK is a container format, conversion to CWS is only possible if the original CWK file is a spreadsheet. If your CWK file contains spreadsheet data, you can extract or save it as a CWS file using compatible software.

Best software for CWK to CWS conversion

The most reliable way to convert a CWK spreadsheet to CWS is by using AppleWorks (version 6 or earlier) or ClarisWorks. Here’s how you can do it:

• Open the CWK file in AppleWorks or ClarisWorks.
• If the file opens as a spreadsheet, go to File → Save As.
• In the save dialog, select ClarisWorks/AppleWorks Spreadsheet (.cws) as the file type.
• Click Save to create your CWS file.

If you do not have access to AppleWorks or ClarisWorks, you may try using a Mac emulator or seek out online file conversion services, though support for these legacy formats is limited.

Important considerations

• Only CWK files created as spreadsheets can be converted to CWS.
• Modern software rarely supports CWK or CWS formats directly.
• For long-term compatibility, consider exporting your data to CSV or XLS after conversion.