File Extension Database

Open CWK File

File extension CWK is most commonly associated with a ClarisWorks document. Claris, the company behind ClarisWorks, was bought by Apple in 1998 and rebranded the suite as AppleWorks, which also used the CWK file format.

ClarisWorks is an integrated suite of office applications which was developed for use on the Macintosh and Windows platforms. ClarisWorks 1.0 first appeared on the Macintosh in 1991, with a Windows version released in 1993, and offered word processing, drawing, image editing, spreadsheet, database and terminal communication functionality. ClarisWorks used the CWK file extension, which could denote a document produced using any of these components.

Unlike other office suites, ClarisWorks was designed to integrate seamlessly, allowing the embedding of frames within other documents. This meant that drawings, spreadsheets or images could be embedded within a word processed document, for example. Claris, the company behind ClarisWorks, became part of Apple following release of version 5, and the software was subsequently rebranded as AppleWorks 5. Both AppleWorks 5 and AppleWorks 6, the last version to be released, maintained the proprietary CWK file format, though were able to export documents in other formats which were more widely supported, such as Microsoft's DOC or XLS formats. AppleWorks 6 also included support for presentations at the expense of the terminal communications functionality.

CWK files may contain anything from a word processed document or spreadsheet to a database or vector drawing. As CWK is a proprietary binary format, they cannot be inspected using a text editor and as such the only way to determine the contents of a file is to open it using ClarisWorks or AppleWorks depending on the version of the software it was originally created in.

CWK files can be properly opened using an appropriate version of either ClarisWorks or AppleWorks on either the Windows or Macintosh platform. However, AppleWorks was discontinued in 2007 and will no longer be sold or developed, rendering CWK as a legacy file format. CWK files can be opened using AppleWorks successor, iWork, though support is limited and formatting or embedded object data may be lost in the conversion process.

How Can I Open CWK File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open CWK file is to find a CWK file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a CWK file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open CWK file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as CWK file opener then try to search online for "CWK viewer", "application to open CWK file" or "open CWK file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open CWK file

How Can I Open CWK File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a CWK file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a CWK file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with CWK file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as CWK file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open CWK file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open CWK file then try to search for "CWK viewer", "application to open CWK file" or "read CWK file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read CWK file

How Can I Open CWK File on Android

If you downloaded a CWK file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded CWK file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "CWK".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "CWK viewer", "CWK file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open CWK File on iPhone or iPad

To open CWK File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the CWK file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "CWK". This way you can find apps which can open CWK files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "CWK viewer" or "CWK file" online in your favorite search engine.