Corel WordPerfect 5 for Macintosh document format
File type: Document file
WP50 is a proprietary word-processing document format used by WordPerfect 5 for Macintosh. It stores document text along with formatting, paragraph settings, page-layout information, and other word-processing data.
Compatible versions of Corel WordPerfect or LibreOffice Writer may open or import these files. Because the format is obsolete and Macintosh-specific, fonts, graphics, layout, and specialized formatting may not be preserved completely.
File type category:
Document file
Date updated: September 24, 2026
Record marked as obsolete and not updated for a long time.
WordPerfect 5 for Macintosh was a classic word-processing application originally developed by WordPerfect Corporation, which was later acquired by Corel. WP50 files belong to an older generation of proprietary WordPerfect document formats created for classic Apple Macintosh systems.
The format generally stores text together with formatting codes, styles, pagination, page settings, and other document information in a binary structure. Support for embedded objects, graphics, tables, footnotes, unusual character sets, and release-specific features can vary between conversion programs.
Native support for this format is uncommon in current versions of macOS. The Windows edition of Corel WordPerfect may open or import older WordPerfect documents, although Macintosh-specific files should be tested individually. LibreOffice Writer on Windows, macOS, and Linux may also recognize some older WordPerfect formats, with possible differences in layout and character formatting.
For long-term preservation, keep the original file unchanged and create a copy in a modern format such as DOCX, ODT, RTF, or PDF. Carefully compare the converted document with the original, particularly when it contains tables, footnotes, graphics, multiple columns, or fonts that are no longer available.
On Windows, try opening the file with a compatible release of Corel WordPerfect or with LibreOffice Writer. Use the program's Open command instead of changing the filename extension. If automatic detection fails, select an older WordPerfect document type manually.
On modern macOS or Linux, install LibreOffice and test the file in Writer. If the file is not recognized, an older Macintosh environment, emulator, or legacy copy of WordPerfect for Mac may be required. Always work from a backup, since modern software may import only part of the document or report the format as unsupported.
Open the document in compatible Corel WordPerfect or LibreOffice Writer, then use Save As or Export to create a DOCX, ODT, RTF, or PDF file. Plain text is an alternative when document formatting is not needed. If direct opening fails, use an older WordPerfect installation or a specialist document-conversion service.
Online conversion services may provide limited support for the Macintosh variant of this format. Do not upload confidential documents without checking the service's privacy policy, and inspect the resulting file because page breaks, fonts, tables, graphics, and special characters can change during conversion.
Software applications that can open wp50 files:
Microsoft Windows
Software applications that handle other tasks involving wp50 files:
Microsoft Windows
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