My old man has a bunch of .dox stuff saved. He has complicated large files saved that are not supported by any of the FOSS conversion tools. I’ve tried Libre office, Abi Word, and every command line tool and converter I can find. These are entire book sized files.

I have a W10 machine with Word. Is extracting the .exe and running it with wine feasible without making an epic mess or massive project of this?

  • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 months ago

    Have you tried the online version of MS Office? I’m not sure, but I think there’s a free version. Depending on the file, you might be able to convert it to another format, then use a FOSS tool going forwards.

        • j4k3@lemmy.worldOP
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          2 months ago

          free is not as in freedom from stalkerware, and there is only a 1 month blank-check impossibscribe extortion type trial scam.

          • Grangle1@lemm.ee
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            2 months ago

            If you’re already thinking of extracting/attempting to run a desktop version of Office, you may as well save yourself the effort if you can and give the free online version a try. You’ll be using a proprietary piece of software either way.

            • j4k3@lemmy.worldOP
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              2 months ago

              I’m looking at trying to convert a file type that Linux doesn’t presently have a capability of opening. What is this toxic nonsense? Seriously, I’m trying to get my ignorant old man on FOSS. I don’t give a * about m$. I also think evangelical nonsense is worse than m$, so curb that nonsense please. This isn’t some Arch forum.

    • neidu2@feddit.nl
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      2 months ago

      I was thinking along the same lines. Use the online version available via portal.office.com, and use that to convert everything to something more FOSS-friendly.

      Not sure if access is free, though.

      • Telorand@reddthat.com
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        2 months ago

        This is what I would recommend as well. Try to convert within Word to an older version or open version that’s likely to be compatible with other software. Test one and see if it converts okay.