WordPerfect

WordPerfect Corporation

File:WordPerfect Corporation wordmark.svg
Industry	Software
Founded	1979 (1979) in Orem, Utah
Founders	Bruce Bastian Alan C. Ashton
Defunct	Template:End date and age
Fate	Acquired by Novell; majority of assets subsequently purchased by Corel in 1996

WordPerfect (abbreviated as WP) is a word processing software currently owned by Alludo. It held the top position in the market during the 1980s and early 1990s, overtaking the previous leader, WordStar.

The software was initially created at Brigham Young University for a Data General minicomputer in the late 1970s. The developers retained ownership rights and established Satellite Software International (SSI) in 1979 to commercialize the product. Launched as SSI*WP in March 1980, it was adapted to the MS-DOS environment in 1982 under the name WordPerfect, with frequent updates that surpassed competitors such as WordStar. In 1985, SSI changed its name to WordPerfect Corporation.

Recognized for its intuitive interface and sophisticated capabilities, WordPerfect dominated the DOS word processing market by version 5.1 in 1989, supported by wide platform compatibility and extensive complimentary support.

Its leadership waned following a problematic initial release for Microsoft Windows, largely due to limited access to Windows APIs which hindered timely enhancements. Meanwhile, Microsoft Word expanded its market share by offering faster performance and aggressive bundling within Microsoft Office. By the mid-1990s, WordPerfect had lost its dominant status. The company was acquired by Novell in 1994, which later sold most assets to Corel in 1996. Corel (currently Alludo) has continued developing new versions, frequently bundled with office suite components such as Quattro Pro spreadsheet and Corel Presentations.

Common WordPerfect document files typically use the .wpd extension; earlier editions employed .wp, .wp7, .wp6, .wp5, .wp4, or sometimes no extension at all.

WordPerfect for DOS

In 1979, graduate student Bruce Bastian and professor Alan C. Ashton at Brigham Young University developed word processing software designed for a Data General minicomputer utilized by the city of Orem, Utah. Retaining rights to their creation, they founded Satellite Software International, Inc. to bring the product to market. WordPerfect 1.0 represented a notable departure from the then-standard word processors produced by Wang.

The initial IBM PC version was released immediately after Thanksgiving in 1982 as WordPerfect 2.20, continuing the version numbering from the Data General edition. This was followed by three minor updates addressing bugs.

Due to a lack of available IBM PC C compilers at the time, all versions up through 5.0 were written in x86 assembly language. Starting with WP 5.1, development shifted to C to facilitate compatibility with non-IBM compatible systems. This low-level programming approach provided WordPerfect with performance advantages over rivals like WordStar, which depended on slower DOS API calls.

WordPerfect 3.0 (released in 1983) introduced support for DOS 2.x features such as subdirectories and hard disk drives. It also expanded printer compatibility through printer drivers rather than fixed codes, initially supporting around 50 printers and growing to approximately 100 within a year. Users were empowered to create or modify printer drivers using an included utility. This iteration also served as the Editor component within WordPerfect Office.

The release of WordPerfect 4.0 came in 1984. Two years later, WordPerfect 4.2 (1986) introduced automatic paragraph numbering along with footnote and endnote handling—features particularly valuable to legal professionals and academics—that helped it surpass WordStar as the leading DOS word processor.

By 1987, Compute! magazine described WordPerfect as "a standard in the MS-DOS world," highlighting its comprehensive feature set. In November 1989, WordPerfect Corporation launched WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS—the most successful version—featuring pull-down menus alongside function key commands, table creation with spreadsheet-like capabilities, advanced typesetting including italicization, redlining and strike-through options, plus print preview functionality that paved the way for graphical screen editing in future releases. The enhanced WordPerfect 5.1+ enabled older personal computers to read files created with WordPerfect 6 format and bundled third-party utilities for screen display and printing.

In January of 1993, WordPerfect acquired Reference Software International, known for producing the popular DOS grammar checker called Grammatik, for $19 million. Employees from RSI were integrated into WordPerfect’s operations in Orem; eventually Grammatik and RSI’s spell checking tools were incorporated into WordPerfect itself while continuing as standalone offerings for several years.

WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS (released in 1993) introduced a toggleable graphical WYSIWYG mode that displayed documents exactly as they would appear when printed—a significant advancement compared to previous uneditable graphic previews. At this time, WordPerfect held over a 60% share of the word processing market.

Key attributes

Among WordPerfect's primary attributes are:

• a wide array of key shortcuts, particularly on MS-DOS, facilitating rapid feature access once learned;
• its distinctive "streaming code" file structure;
• the Reveal Codes tool;
• line numbering designed specifically for legal use; and
• macro and scripting support through PerfectScript.

Prominent utilities include Mail Merge (which merges form templates with data sets), the "Print as booklet" option, and tables enhanced with spreadsheet and charting capabilities.

The WordPerfect file format allows ongoing feature additions while maintaining both backward and forward compatibility. Documents created in WordPerfect X5 remain fully operable in version 6.0a, as older editions disregard unfamiliar codes but accurately render recognized functions. This approach prevented mandatory upgrades for compatibility over a span exceeding twenty years.

Streaming code framework

WordPerfect’s streaming code framework is analogous to HTML and Cascading Style Sheets, employing embedded tags ("codes") within the text to manage formatting until a closing tag restores previous settings. These tags can be nested, and certain components such as footnotes and styles act as embedded objects within the stream. Unlike HTML’s textual tags, WordPerfect’s formatting codes are represented by hexadecimal values.

Styles and style libraries

With the release of WP 5.0, styles and style libraries were introduced, significantly boosting document formatting versatility while preserving the streaming-code system. Styles preset font selections, spacing, margins, tab stops, and other layout parameters, enabling users to save and apply them repeatedly—previously limited to a single default Opening Style.

Following Corel’s acquisition of the desktop publishing application Ventura, its style editor functionalities were integrated into WordPerfect, enhancing graphic components such as text boxes, headers, and footers.

Further integration with features from the CorelDraw Graphics suite brought editable graphic styles to WordPerfect. The Graphics Styles editor permits customization of boxes, borders, lines, fills—including patterns and gradients—and stores these designs for reuse. Box styles can combine borders, fills, text, and captions with independent style controls, exemplifying WordPerfect’s cascading style methodology.

Subsequently, Corel bundled WordPerfect with full capabilities within the CorelDraw Graphics Suite as its dedicated text editor.

Reveal codes

Available since early iterations of WordPerfect, the Reveal Codes feature distinguishes it from other word processing software; Microsoft Word offers a less robust counterpart. This function displays and permits modification of formatting codes directly, minimizing retyping and simplifying formatting adjustments. The secondary editing pane can be toggled on or off and resized according to user preference.

Formatting and text positioning codes appear alongside tags and objects as named tokens. This granular level of detail facilitates troubleshooting more effectively than style-based word processors. Object tokens are interactive—clicking one opens its configuration dialog (for example, selecting a style token launches the style editor). This capability has been present since WordPerfect’s DOS editions.

Macro languages

WordPerfect for DOS gained recognition for its macro capabilities, which captured sequences of keystrokes, including function commands, assignable to any key. These macros could analyze system information, execute conditional logic, link multiple macros, and perform recursive operations until a defined termination point. This functionality allowed users to automate repetitive processes such as formatting tables. Nevertheless, since macros recorded keystrokes directly, they were susceptible to changes in key functions across software versions, which hindered their portability. Editing macros was initially cumbersome until the release of a macro editor that revealed the underlying function codes for each product.

Macros in DOS operated under the assumption of a text-mode screen with fixed cursor positions, making them incompatible or challenging to adapt within Windows’ graphical WYSIWYG environment that incorporated mouse input. For instance, instructions like "move down four lines" lacked precise meaning on dynamic Windows displays. Early WordPerfect versions did not support recording mouse movements.

With the advent of WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS and Windows, a more advanced token-based macro language was introduced, laying the groundwork for PerfectScript in subsequent editions. PerfectScript emphasizes function calls over mere keystroke sequences. Since DOS macros could not be imported into later versions, users either continued using WordPerfect 5.1 or had to rewrite their macros using PerfectScript.

A key distinction is that WordPerfect macros are stored separately from documents, significantly reducing the risk of macro viruses or malware compared to Microsoft Word’s embedded macro system. Despite being called "macros," the language comprises hundreds of commands and functions capable of forming complete programs executed locally. In WPDOS 6, macro source code editing occurs through the document interface itself. Macros streamline tasks such as performing calculations or managing dates while generating standard documents indistinguishable from those created manually—thereby improving productivity and enabling sophisticated content creation.

PerfectScript stands out by integrating functionality across the entire WordPerfect Office suite—including WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, and Presentations—with all available functions accessible via a macro development wizard. Its broad feature set remains unparalleled within office software markets.

Beyond core automation features, PerfectScript supports building custom dialogs and forms containing widgets like buttons, text inputs, drop-down menus, and labels to develop user-friendly bespoke office applications. For example, the Dutch housing organization VZOS utilized WordPerfect macros to manage mutation administration for thousands of apartments.

Starting with WordPerfect Office 10, Microsoft Office’s Visual Basic macro language was incorporated as an alternative option to enhance compatibility with Microsoft Office documents.

Macros also enable data-entry applications that input information directly into WordPerfect files, saving time by eliminating the need for manual retyping.

Support for European languages

WordPerfect accommodated numerous European languages through its Language Resource File (WP.LRS), which specified language-specific formatting rules for elements such as dates, sorting orders, footnotes, and tables.

To strengthen its position in European markets, WordPerfect Corporation undertook aggressive promotional efforts including a three-year sponsorship worth $16 million of the WordPerfect cycling team beginning in January 1993. Managed by Dutch cyclist Jan Raas, this sponsorship aimed at Alpine regions like France, Switzerland, and Italy—targeting young cycling enthusiasts whose profile mirrored that of WordPerfect’s American user base. After Novell acquired WordPerfect in 1995, it took over sponsorship of the cycling team.

Function keys

WordPerfect made extensive use of function keys combined with Ctrl, Alt, Shift, and even dual modifiers, surpassing early rivals like WordStar, which primarily relied on Ctrl key combinations.

Specifically, WordPerfect designated F3 for Help, F1 for Cancel, and Esc for Repeat, with subsequent editions enabling users to personalize these key assignments. This comprehensive set of shortcut keys continues to be highly regarded by dedicated WordPerfect users, particularly within legal professions such as secretaries, paralegals, and lawyers.

Printer drivers

A significant contributor to WordPerfect for DOS's popularity was its wide selection of printer drivers. It also included PTR, a printer driver editor featuring a versatile macro language that allowed technically adept users to modify or develop custom drivers.

The Type-Through capability was introduced in version 4.2 for DOS, permitting users with compatible printers to operate WordPerfect similarly to a traditional typewriter. However, this functionality was eliminated in the DOS 5.1 release.

WordPerfect Library/Office utilities

WordPerfect Corporation created several supplementary products. Launched in 1986 and later renamed WordPerfect Office (not to be confused with Corel’s Windows suite sharing the same name), this collection provided both networked and standalone DOS utilities tailored for WordPerfect users. It comprised a DOS menu shell, a file manager capable of editing binary files and macros, a calendar tool, and a flat file database useful for mail merges and managing contacts.

Following Novell’s acquisition of WordPerfect Corporation, many of these tools were incorporated into Novell GroupWise.

LetterPerfect

In 1990, WordPerfect Corporation introduced LetterPerfect, a streamlined variant of WP-DOS 5.1 intended for less powerful hardware such as early laptops and aimed at entry-level users including students and home consumers. The name originated from a Missouri-based company that had developed an early Atari 8-bit word processor. LetterPerfect did not support tables, labels, sorting functions, equation editing, or styles. Priced at approximately US$100, it failed to achieve market success and was quickly discontinued.

DataPerfect

DataPerfect for DOS, distributed by WordPerfect Corporation and later Novell, was a rapid hierarchical database management system (DBMS) requiring only 300 KB of free DOS memory. Developed by Lew Bastian, Novell released it as copyrighted freeware in December 1995, with updates continuing through at least 2008.

The software supports up to 99 data files ("panels"), each accommodating up to 16 million records and 125 fields, along with unlimited variable-length memo fields capable of storing up to 64,000 characters. Networked editions can handle up to 10,000 concurrent users.

PlanPerfect

PlanPerfect was another application distributed by WordPerfect Corporation; it served as a spreadsheet program first reviewed in InfoWorld in September 1987.

History

WordPerfect was slow to introduce a Windows-compatible version. The initial release, WordPerfect 5.1 for Windows in 1991, required installation under DOS and experienced stability issues. The first reliable version appeared with WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows in November 1992, followed by WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows in 1993. By that time, Microsoft Word for Windows version 2 had already been available for over a year with several updates.

Adapting its function-key-centric interface proved challenging within Windows’ mouse-driven environment featuring pull-down menus. Numerous standard key combinations conflicted with Windows shortcuts—for instance, Alt-F4 closed the application rather than performing text blocking functions. Moreover, the extensive collection of DOS printer drivers became obsolete due to Windows’ integrated printer driver architecture.

WordPerfect Office Suite

WordPerfect made its entry into the office suite arena in 1993 through a co-licensing agreement with Borland Software Corporation. This collaboration resulted in the Borland Office suite, which bundled Windows editions of WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Borland Paradox, along with a LAN-oriented groupware product named WordPerfect Office. Originally built upon the WordPerfect Library for DOS, the Novell/WordPerfect Office suite employed middleware to achieve integration. The primary middleware component, PerfectFit—created by WordPerfect—remains a core part of current WordPerfect Office releases. Additionally, Novell contributed middleware known as AppWare.

Novell Acquires WordPerfect Company

In 1987, Pete Peterson, an executive at WordPerfect, indicated that the company was not pursuing mergers or acquisitions. Nevertheless, the WordPerfect product line changed ownership twice: initially acquired by Novell in June 1994 for $1.4 billion, and subsequently sold to Corel in January 1996 at a substantial loss. Despite transferring ownership, Novell retained the WordPerfect Office technology and incorporated it into its GroupWise collaboration and messaging system.

Microsoft versus Novell

The debut of WordPerfect’s first 32-bit edition, WordPerfect 7, designed specifically for Windows 95, encountered significant obstacles. In the legal case 'Novell v. Microsoft', Novell alleged that Microsoft’s anti-competitive behavior was responsible for these difficulties.

While WordPerfect 7 marked an improvement over the earlier 16-bit Windows 3.1 version, it was released in May 1996—approximately nine months after both Windows 95 and Microsoft Office 95 (which included Word 95). This launch suffered from stability issues and lacked Microsoft's "Designed for Windows 95" certification—a factor that heavily influenced enterprise purchasing decisions. Furthermore, it initially did not support Windows NT, restricting its adoption within professional environments. The "NT Enabled" release (equivalent to Corel’s Service Pack 2) arrived in the first quarter of 1997—more than six months following Windows NT 4.0’s launch and well after both Office 95 and Office 97 had established compatibility with Windows NT.

Market Share

By 1993, WordPerfect Corporation confronted three major obstacles in expanding beyond its core word processing market: a reputation for arrogance, being perceived as a single-product DOS company, and chronic delays in product releases. Although WordPerfect dominated DOS word processing, Microsoft concentrated on creating a Windows version of Word. After Windows 3.0 launched, Word’s market share increased significantly. However, WordPerfect’s Windows version appeared nearly two years later and received unfavorable reviews. Moreover, Microsoft bundled Word into an integrated office suite much earlier than WordPerfect did.

In 1987, Computer Intelligence estimated that WordPerfect held an 11% share of the Fortune 1000 PC word processor market, ranking third behind Ashton-Tate (18%) and IBM/MicroPro (each at 25%). At that time, Computerworld described WordPerfect as "the leader in word processor sales," surpassing Microsoft, Lotus Development, and Ashton-Tate. By the early 1990s, WordPerfect’s market share had risen to approximately 60%; a legal industry consultant in 1990 estimated that about 70% of law firms used it, while a survey conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in the same year found that 46% of respondents utilized WordPerfect.

By 1995, WordPerfect controlled over half of the global word-processing market; however, by the year 2000 Microsoft Word dominated with up to a 95% share. Executives at WordPerfect recognized that ensuring compatibility with Microsoft Word documents was crucial for survival amid Microsoft's growing market dominance.

Middleware and application integration

Microsoft delivered a fully unified suite with Microsoft Office, whereas early Windows editions of WordPerfect Office faced criticism for functioning as distinct programs with inconsistent user interfaces. Novell’s approach centered on fostering cross-platform application connectivity by acquiring WordPerfect for Windows, Paradox, and additional tools, while advocating its middleware platform, Appware. This strategy sought to liberate software developers and users from dependence on operating system vendors such as Microsoft, representing a significant competitive challenge.

Conversely, beginning with WordPerfect Office 9, Corel managed to achieve almost seamless integration among its components through the use of PerfectScript and the middleware PerfectFit. Incorporating applications like CorelDraw and Ventura desktop publishing further enriched the document format’s capabilities.

Dedicated user base

WordPerfect maintained a loyal following within law firms and government agencies, appreciated for features such as macros, reveal codes, and direct formatting access via keyboard shortcuts—offering clear benefits over Microsoft Word’s reliance on mouse-driven interaction. Users were able to assign keys to frequently used phrases or macros. The consistent interface from WPWin 6 through WP X5 (2010), combined with stable file formats, minimized compatibility challenges and reduced the necessity to retain outdated software or hardware.

Corel focused its efforts on these markets, securing significant contracts including the 2005 sale to the United States Department of Justice. Historically, WordPerfect Corporation tailored its product closely to legal professionals’ requirements by embedding specialized functions accessible through keyboard commands. This emphasis helped sustain WordPerfect’s relevance into the 2020s. Likewise, as of 2024, the French judiciary continues employing WordPerfect and provides corresponding training initiatives.

Novell versus Microsoft antitrust litigation

In November 2004, Novell initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, accusing it of anti-competitive conduct such as bundling Word with Windows and discontinuing support for certain APIs, which Novell argued led to a decline in WordPerfect’s market share. After numerous postponements, the case was dismissed in July 2012. Novell appealed in November 2012; however, the Tenth Circuit Court upheld the dismissal. Subsequently, Novell petitioned the US Supreme Court for review, but in 2014 the Court declined to hear the appeal, bringing nearly ten years of litigation to a close.

Acquisition of WordPerfect by Corel

In November 1995, Novell announced plans to divest its personal productivity software products. By January 1996, it agreed to sell WordPerfect and Quattro Pro to Corel for $186 million—a substantial loss relative to its initial purchase price. Novell retained certain assets, notably the GroupWise collaboration software.

The transaction with Corel, headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, was completed in March 1996. Corel’s CEO, Michael Cowpland, initially expressed confidence that WordPerfect could successfully compete with Microsoft Word in corporate environments, comparing it to a classic Coke versus Pepsi rivalry. Nevertheless, Microsoft Office’s pre-installation on new PCs resulted in Corel incurring losses exceeding $230 million during 1997.

In 1998, Corel shut down the WordPerfect development center in Orem, Utah—impacting over 500 employees—and centralized software engineering operations in Ottawa.

Corel WordPerfect

Following its acquisition, the Windows version of WordPerfect was renamed Corel WordPerfect. On January 17, 2006, Corel introduced WordPerfect X3. As an early participant in the OASIS Technical Committee for the OpenDocument Format, Corel played a role in advancing open standards through contributions by senior developer Paul Langille.

WordPerfect X3 (internally recognized as version 13) brought new capabilities such as PDF importing, tools for metadata removal, integrated search functions, and access to online resources. It earned favorable critiques; for instance, CNET described it as a "feature-packed productivity suite" that was "more innovative than industry-goliath Microsoft Office 2003," particularly appealing to its longstanding user base.

While the initial release of X3 did not support OOXML or OpenDocument formats, a subsequent beta version introduced compatibility with both.

In early 2006, assertions that Apple's iWork had overtaken WordPerfect as the leading alternative to Microsoft Office were refuted by analyst Joe Wilcox. Data from JupiterResearch indicated that WordPerfect maintained approximately a 15% share across consumer, SMB, and enterprise markets.

Corel unveiled WordPerfect Office X4 in April 2008, enhancing PDF editing features and adding support for OpenDocument and OOXML formats. Nevertheless, it lacked the ability to edit PDFs containing JPEG2000 images utilized by Adobe Acrobat 9.

The March 2010 release of WordPerfect Office X5 further improved PDF functionality and compatibility with Microsoft Office 2007 file formats. It also incorporated integration with Microsoft SharePoint and web services aimed at government and corporate users.

In April 2012, WordPerfect Office X6 introduced support for multiple documents and monitors, new macro capabilities, compatibility with the Windows 8 preview, and an eBook publishing feature.

In May 2021, Corel launched WordPerfect Office 2021, replacing versions x7 through x9 as well as the 2020 edition. Notable enhancements included the ability to create fillable PDFs, built-in Bates numbering, saving options for OpenDocument and ePub formats, and improved support for Microsoft Office openXML files.

PC Magazine commended WordPerfect Office as "the one and only Windows office application suite that isn't a workalike for Microsoft Office," emphasizing its sophisticated legal formatting tools and document management system popular within legal sectors. However, the review pointed out its outdated user interface, absence of real-time collaboration features, and limitation to Windows platforms without availability on Macintosh or mobile devices.

WordPerfect Suite and WordPerfect Office

WordPerfect Suite and WordPerfect Office is an office suite developed by Corel Corporation. Its origins trace back to Borland Software Corporation's Borland Office, launched in 1993 to rival Microsoft Office and AppleWorks. This suite combined WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, and Paradox. In 1994, Borland sold the suite to Novell, which expanded it by adding Novell Presentations along with the now-discontinued InfoCentral. Corel acquired the product line in 1996.

Corel WordPerfect Suite 7 and Office 7 Professional

The Corel WordPerfect Suite 7 package comprised WordPerfect version 7, Quattro Pro, and Presentations, while the Office 7 Professional edition additionally included Paradox. Both suites contained CorelFLOW 3, Sidekick, Dashboard, and Envoy 7. These Windows-based suites were introduced to the retail market in 1996.

Corel WordPerfect Office 2000

Corel WordPerfect Office 2000 incorporated version 9 of WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Presentations, Paradox, and CorelCentral. Every edition featured Trellix 2 along with Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications. It was initially released as a preview for Windows in November 1998, followed by a retail launch in May 1999. The Home and Student edition and Family Pack did not include Presentations or Paradox; the Small Business edition, released in January 2000, excluded Paradox.

The lineup also offered a budget-friendly Family Pack (versions 2 and 3), limited strictly to non-commercial usage. Three voice recognition variants were available: the North American Voice Powered Edition utilizing Dragon Naturally Speaking 3; an international edition with Philips FreeSpeech; and WordPerfect Law Office 2000 (December 1999), which combined NaturallySpeaking Standard 4 with legal-specific applications. A Linux version debuted in March 2000, primarily aimed at Corel Linux but compatible with multiple distributions, offering free upgrades for bundled WordPerfect word processors.

Latest version

The most recent iteration is WordPerfect Office 2021, released in May 2021. This suite is offered in three editions: Home and Student, Standard, and Professional, with Paradox accessible only within the Professional edition.

Quattro Pro

Quattro Pro serves as Corel’s spreadsheet application, competing against Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets, and Apple Numbers. It is exclusively available on the Windows platform.

Presentations

Corel’s presentation software, Presentations, rivals Microsoft PowerPoint, LibreOffice Impress, Google Slides, and Apple Keynote.

WordPerfect Lightning

WordPerfect Lightning is a note-taking application positioned against competitors such as Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Google Keep, and Apple Notes.

Other desktop applications

Paradox functions as a relational database manager for Windows users and competes with Microsoft Access and LibreOffice Base.

"Classic Mode"

Introduced in WordPerfect 11, "Classic Mode" recreates the traditional cyan Courier text on a blue background aesthetic but does not fully replicate the DOS experience. It utilizes WPDOS 5.1 keyboard layouts while maintaining the WPWin macro system and menus, which restricts complete backward compatibility.

Summary

Since version 9, WordPerfect has been distributed solely within the WordPerfect Office Suite.

Operating system		Latest stable version	Support status
Microsoft Windows	7, 8, 10 (32/64-bit), 11	2021	Supported from 2018 to present
	XP SP3 / 2003 SP2, Vista	X7	Supported between 2001 and 2015
	2000 / 98 SE / Me	X3	Supported from 1998 to 2008
	NT 4	12	Supported during 1996–2006
	95 OSR2	10	Supported between 1995 and 2003
	3.1x	7	Supported from 1991 to 1997

Other platforms		Latest stable version	Support status
Via CorelWine	9.0	Supported until 2000
8.1	Supported between 1996 and 1999
Versions starting at 3.1+	6.2	Supported from 1982 through 1997
From System 7 up to Mac OS 9	3.5e	Supported between 1988 and 1997
Multiple ports (~30 versions)	8.0	Supported during the period of 1988–1998
	"Beta"	Released in 1997 only
	"5.2"	Support lasted from 1989 to 1993
	"1.0.1"	Released in 1991 alone
	"7.1"	Released starting in1987; end date unknown

Additional WordPerfect versions existed for Apricot Computers, Tandy 2000, TI Professional, Victor 9000, Zenith Z-100, IBM System/370 (version 4.2 released in 1988), and DEC Rainbow (release date November 1983; version unspecified).

Unix

WordPerfect was once compatible with approximately 30 different Unix systems, including AT&T, NCR, SCO Xenix, SCO OpenServer, UnixWare, Microport Unix, DEC Ultrix, Pyramid Tech Unix, Tru64, IBM AIX, Motorola System V/88, HP-UX, SGI IRIX, and Solaris.

In July 2022, Tavis Ormandy successfully adapted WordPerfect for Unix 7 to run on contemporary Linux platforms, distributing it as a fully operational deb package. This version includes support for printing through CUPS printers utilizing Ghostscript.

Macintosh

The development timeline of WordPerfect for Macintosh trailed behind other operating systems and featured version numbers that did not correspond with DOS or Windows editions.

Originally planned for release in early 1987, the first version experienced such delays that it earned a reputation as vaporware. By early 1988, a beta edition was sold for $99, accompanied by a guarantee of a complimentary $395 final release slated for spring 1988. Version 1.0 eventually launched in April 1988, followed by three quick successive bug-fix updates; it became a top seller by the end of that year. Version 2 represented a full rewrite to conform to Apple's user interface standards, while version 3 incorporated System 7 features, preserving performance even on older Macintosh hardware. Corel issued versions 3.5 in 1996 and 3.5e in 1997 but ceased further development afterward. As of 2004, Corel confirmed no intention to create a native Mac OS X edition.

For several years, Corel offered free downloads of version 3.5e; some Macintosh users still operate this release through the Mac IO group. Running WordPerfect necessitates the Classic environment on PowerPC Macs; however, Intel-based Macs lack Classic support but can run emulators such as SheepShaver, Basilisk II, or vMac. Present WordPerfect editions for Mac users typically operate via Windows installations through Boot Camp or virtualization tools and can function with varying effectiveness using Darwine or CrossOver Mac.

Atari ST

WordPerfect's development for the Atari ST did not coincide directly with DOS versions, although the Atari ST release number matched those of its DOS counterparts. In 1987, WordPerfect Corp. launched version 4.1—the sole Atari iteration ever released. Multiple patches were distributed to ensure compatibility across Atari ST, Atari STe, TT, and Falcon machines.

Distinct from its DOS equivalent, WordPerfect ST excelled in speed and window management capabilities. Users could open up to four windows simultaneously (compared to two on DOS), and the program ran three to five times faster due to optimization for the Motorola 68000 CPU and Atari's GEM (Graphics Environment Manager) operating system.

Priced at US$395 retail, WordPerfect ST was considerably more expensive than other word processors available on Atari systems. Registered Atari user groups were offered the software at $155, with a student edition priced at $99. In contrast, Atari marketed Microsoft Write for US$129.95—a price around 75% lower—posing a significant challenge to WordPerfect’s dominance in the Atari word processing sector.

Similar to other platforms, WordPerfect ST lacked copy protection. Despite concerns over piracy—copies surfaced on pirate bulletin board systems in 1988—the strong backing from the Atari community persuaded WordPerfect to continue support, although only one developer was assigned for maintenance and bug fixes.

Ian Chadwick of ST-Log highlighted WordPerfect’s dedication despite piracy issues, noting that the company remained committed provided users respected licensing agreements.

Robust sales figures, especially across Europe, helped mitigate piracy worries. According to reports from Atari ST User, WordPerfect’s sales performance justified ongoing support and potential upgrades beyond version 4.1, which was functionally comparable to MS-DOS version 4.2.

From 1987 through 1991, WordPerfect continued supporting version 4.1 via patches, bug fixes, and system compatibility improvements across all Atari ST models, backed by reputable customer service.

A planned release of WordPerfect 5.1 for the Atari ST was eventually cancelled.

Amiga

Although rumors suggested otherwise, WordPerfect was adapted for the Amiga 1000 in 1987 and continued to receive updates up to version 4.1 on the Amiga system. Despite this, it faced commercial challenges due to limited backing from the Amiga user base. The software retained its text-focused design with a DOS-style command interface, which drew criticism for not providing a graphical user interface on a platform known for its graphical capabilities.

By 1989, WordPerfect Corporation halted all development for the Amiga after incurring losses amounting to $800,000 and citing insufficient funds to support Amiga-specific enhancements. Although development briefly resumed in response to customer demand for a word processor resembling DOS, the project was ultimately discontinued in 1992.

Linux

In 1995, WordPerfect 6.0 was introduced for Linux as part of Caldera's Internet office suite. A subsequent version was released in 1997 but required a purchase to activate its full features.

Corel launched WordPerfect 8.0 for Linux in 1998, available as both a comprehensive paid edition and a limited free download. To better access the growing commercial Linux market, Corel created its own Linux distribution that included WordPerfect 8.1 for Linux. While the distribution itself was well-received, WordPerfect's acceptance among Linux users was mixed.

The arrival of OpenOffice.org in 1999 diminished interest in proprietary applications such as WordPerfect. WordPerfect 9.0, bundled within WordPerfect Office 2000 for Linux, was not a native Linux application but ran through Corel’s customized Wine layer, resulting in suboptimal performance.

Unable to secure a significant foothold, Corel discontinued WordPerfect for Linux and sold its Linux distribution to Xandros. In 2004, Corel issued an updated version of WordPerfect 8.1 as a market experiment; however, by 2011 it was no longer commercially available.

As of 2023, WordPerfect for Linux (xwp) remains compatible with current distributions. Moreover, Linux programs utilize the libwpd library to convert WordPerfect files, enabling interoperability with office suites like LibreOffice and OpenOffice.org.

iOS

The 2014 release of WordPerfect X7 for iOS functioned as remote desktop software that connected users to a Corel-hosted WordPerfect for Windows session. Marketed under the label "Limited Free Trial," this app was eventually withdrawn by Corel.

Unicode and Asian language editing

Native Unicode support is absent from WordPerfect, restricting its usability beyond North American and Western European markets. Despite user demands, this capability has yet to be implemented, limiting effective handling of complex scripts such as those used in Asian languages. Nevertheless, recent editions have enhanced interface standards compliance, improved file compatibility, and offer an emulation mode mimicking Microsoft Word’s interface.

WordPerfect X4 allows importing IPA characters through copy-paste using Paste Special > Unicode. Its PDF export feature embeds WP-phonetic and Unicode-compatible fonts.

Reception

In March 1983, PC Magazine commended WordPerfect as a feature-rich tool offering mail merge, footnotes, macros, find-and-replace functions, and automatic paragraph reflow—features surpassing rivals like WordStar. In 1984, Byte praised its print buffering capabilities, text formatting options, and mathematical functions despite minor shortcomings in spell checking and tab settings.

The Orlando Sentinel in 1985 described WordPerfect as a "moderately priced winner," highlighting its speed, ease of use, autosave feature, modest hardware requirements, and competitive pricing around $219 via mail order. The publication noted the absence of split-screen and undo features as areas for improvement. Also in 1985, Compute! lauded its straightforward interface and rapid spell checker. By 1988, Antic recognized WordPerfect as the most powerful word processor available for the Atari ST platform despite some complexity issues.

See also

• Ability Office – marketed by Corel as Corel Home Office and Corel Office Suite, utilizing Ability and Microsoft file formats rather than those from WordPerfect Office
• Comparison of office suites
• Comparison of word processors
• List of office suites
• List of word processors
• Office Open XML software
• OpenDocument software

Further reading

• Foster, Ed (December 28, 2007). "What Led to WordPerfect's Decline?" Infoworld.
• Karsmakers, Richard (February 16, 1988). "Word Perfect. Word Perfect?" st-news.com.
• Peterson, W. E. "Pete" (2012). Almost perfect: how a bunch of regular guys built WordPerfect Corporation. Must Read Summaries. ISBN 9782806235107.

External links

• Official site for WordPerfect
• Corel WordPerfect Office media kits: Small Business Edition, X3, X4, X5, X6
• Corel WordPerfect Office X6 – Standard Edition
• Collection of older WordPerfect manuals predating Borland and Corel ownership
• Guide to running WordPerfect on Linux – 2022

Download sites

• Updated WordPerfect for DOS — includes printer drivers, patches, and enhancements compatible with WordPerfect for DOS versions 5.1 and 6.x, as well as Mac and Linux support.
• Out-of-print resource on WP macros and templates (free legal download)
• Downloads for WordPerfect Shell versions 3.1 and 4.0
• Download for WordPerfect Editor