Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Welcome beginner. Please answer all of the questions below which may provide information necessary to answer your question.
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Which version of OpenOffice.org are you using? None
What Operating System (version) are you using? Vista
What is your question or comment? Have over 1400 DVD listings saved with "Works database"
Now Vista, nor Office will open the db files (.wdb)
I was wondering if Openoffice data base pens .wdb files and if it does.... Can I download the database separately rather then dowloading the entire open office???

Thanks much: Hawk

OOo cannot open them directly IIRC. You've to export the database (either to a CSV format or I've heard about a dbaseIV format).

You can install Base only but you won't gain much HD space because each module is only 2 to 8 MB, the rest is made of common files. So better install the whole suite.

Ah... ok thanks, really need something that will handle these files in the same format.... Thanks again

I would think that the sooner you can move your db from Works to an OpenDocument format, that gives you a choice of vendor in future (so that you're not in this predicament again) the better. It's unlikely that you will find anything other than MS Works that will open .wdb files (please tell us if you do), so if you can find a computer with MS Works on and export into another format that might be the safest way of future-proofing your data.

Interestingly "Microsoft Works" features here: http://www.oxymoronlist.com/

From Fileinfo.net:

Database created with the Microsoft Works database program; similar to an Access Database (.MDB file), but with more limitations; uses a proprietary data format that cannot be opened by MS Access.

If access won't do it, what will?

David.

I know this thread is old but I wanted to post this info for anyone else in this same situation.

I found a Java applet that will do the conversion here.

I just ran it on my Linux system and it converted a .wdb file I was sent to an Excel spreadsheet without any problems. The .wdb file I was sent was simply in structure so I don't know about more "complex" .wdb files and this converter.

Hope that helps!

Peace...

Eeek. WDB files are a rare beast. On Windows, your only choice is to track down an old copy of MSWorks (I think the last version was 9). I've seen it for sale on Amazon. On the Mac, there is LawBox WDB Viewer Pro: http://www.lawbox.com/wdb-osx/. On Linux, I think the Java applet is the only choice. I haven't tried any of these products.