ClarisWorks: Alerts When Opening a File

When double-clicking a file to open it in ClarisWorks, one of three alerts appears on the screen:

1. "The document {filename} could not be opened, because the application program that created it could not be found" - {System 7 alert}
2. "The file {filename} could not be opened/printed (the application is busy or missing). {System 6 alert}
3. "No application is associated with this file. Choose Associate from the File menu to create an association." {Windows alert}

When trying to open a file by double-clicking the icon from the Finder or File Manager, your computer tries to open the file with the "creation" application. Thus if you double-click on a MacWrite II file, the Macintosh will attempt to launch MacWrite II to open the file. If MacWrite II (or whatever the creation application is for that file) is not present, the computer cannot open a double-clicked file icon. In other words, a non-ClarisWorks file will not open in ClarisWorks by double-clicking it.

How to open a non-ClarisWorks file into ClarisWorks:

Open Method #1- Use the Open dialog box

This method is explained on pg. 2-11 of the ClarisWorks handbook or 2-15 of the Users Guide
- If ClarisWorks is not running, double-click it to run. If the New Document dialog box appears, click Cancel.
- Select Open from the File Menu
- Click the Import Options flag
- Click the correct file type to open into (e.g., Word Processor)
- Locate the file name in the scroll bar, then double-click it to open

Open Method #2 - (System 7 only) Drop-Launch the file

Drop launching is explained in the Macintosh Basics folder included with your computer.
- In the Finder, drag the file icon onto the ClarisWorks application icon (Note: that means the ClarisWorks program icon, NOT a folder icon) (Note 2: if the file and the application are in different folders, you may need to move and/or resize the windows so that the file and program icons are both visible).
The file will open into the application that it's dragged onto (in this example, ClarisWorks).

Open Method #3 - (Windows only) Setting an Association

This method is explained in the MS Windows User's Guide included with your computer.
- Click on the file in the File Manager
- Choose Associate from the File menu.
- Select the application you wish to associate the file with.
- Click the OK button.

This information was provided by Claris Corporation on 16 March 1998, and incorporated into Apple Computer's Tech Info Library.


Note: AppleWorks is the new name for ClarisWorks 5.0x

Published Date: Feb 18, 2012