DAT file convertion help

[pappajohn]

I have a problem !!!! oh:

I asked for my payslips to be sent via email as i now submit my weekly timesheet the same way so i dont need to visit our office, ever again :thumb:

now the problem.....

the office server sends email attachments as .DAT files and i cant open them :Sad:

I've asked if the wages admin can send in another file format but the answer is a definite NO....I know she can but wont mess with the format.

what i need is an easy way to convert these files to PDf or similar which i can open easily with Adobe, Excel starter 20 etc.

i tried renaming the .DAT file as a PDF which works but adobe simply displays the DAT machine code

looked online for free converters but the ones i can see are far to complicated for use just once a week.

any help appreciated :thumb:

 

[acting_strange]

try this John...
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-convert-a-dat-file-into-a-word-document/

or failing that email me the file so that I can have a go at it...

Derek

 

[motorhomer]

.dat files are normally data files, I would suggest asking what specific software is used to write these files, normally you then need the same software to read them. Its unlikely to be the mail server that created them, possibly whatever program they use for payroll??

Just on the offchance that they are just general data files you could try opening with a text editor such as Notepad. Whilst its certainly worth a try its a bit of a longshot.

Good luck!

 

[Gromett]

Isn't there a law about providing payslips in a suitable format.

I seem to remember being asked for payslips electronically and we had to meet certain requirements about human readability?

 

[acting_strange]

Isn't there a law about providing payslips in a suitable format.

I seem to remember being asked for payslips electronically and we had to meet certain requirements about human readability?

YES there is:thumb::thumb:...covered by the wages act...

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[pappajohn]

try this John...
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-convert-a-dat-file-into-a-word-document/

or failing that email me the file so that I can have a go at it...

Derek

tried the link but it still wont convert.
I already tried that one but couldnt make any sense of it until now

Adobe reader 9.1, notepad and wordpad.......no luck, still only shows code.

no offence Derek, and i appreciate the offer, but you aint seeing my payslip.

 

[pappajohn]

Isn't there a law about providing payslips in a suitable format.

I seem to remember being asked for payslips electronically and we had to meet certain requirements about human readability?

YES there is:thumb::thumb:...covered by the wages act...

but this is a courtesy service, not the norm.

we are issued with paper payslips.

just an excuse on my part not to visit the office unless i really need to. oh:

 

[SandJ]

Try the last part of this link as it may be the email

winmaildat

But you may not want to use online converter so

look at the replies and try them


http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-convert-a-dat-file-into-a-word-document/

Just a thought :thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

Try the last part of this link as it may be the email

winmaildat

Online converter


http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-convert-a-dat-file-into-a-word-document/

Just a thought :thumb:

thats the same link posted by Derek and yes i tried the last part, in fact both parts, and neither work. :Sad:

 

[SandJ]

thats the same link posted by Derek and yes i tried the last part, in fact both parts, and neither work. :Sad:

Whoops sorry

You said two but there is 3

Did you see this one?

Broken Link Removed

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[pappajohn]

Whoops sorry

You said two but there is 3

Did you see this one?

Broken Link Removed

No, that wont work either

 

[Wildman]

have you tried this one?
http://www.pdfpro10.com/o/converter/?gclid=CNST5f30lLECFRMgtAodRDqBmA

 

[pappajohn]

have you tried this one?
http://www.pdfpro10.com/o/converter/?gclid=CNST5f30lLECFRMgtAodRDqBmA

thanks for the link Roger.

unfortunately its only a 14 day free trial then to be paid for so i didn't download it.

my payslip is crap enough without paying to see it

 

[TheBig1]

quicken accounts uses the DAT file extension
Try downloading a quicken viewer
http://download.cnet.com/QIF-Viewer/3000-2064_4-10889951.html

 

[pappajohn]

quicken accounts uses the DAT file extension
Try downloading a quicken viewer
http://download.cnet.com/QIF-Viewer/3000-2064_4-10889951.html

No good...still only shows code.

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[TheHat]

dat file

try this hope it works http://www.winmail-dat.com/

 

[JeanLuc]

Are you using a Mac by any chance, or other non-Windows computer? I have this problem quite often - it is to do with the crap way in which Outlook formats messages so that only other Outlook compliant users can view them with guaranteed success. It can be overcome by getting the sender to modify their settings. It seems that there is little consistency in the problem either. I can get several e-mails with attachments from a sender without difficulty, then one appears from the same sender with the dreaded Winmail.dat.

Read this knowledge article from the Microsoft website.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278061

 

[pappajohn]

Are you using a Mac by any chance, or other non-Windows computer? I have this problem quite often - it is to do with the crap way in which Outlook formats messages so that only other Outlook compliant users can view them with guaranteed success. It can be overcome by getting the sender to modify their settings. It seems that there is little consistency in the problem either. I can get several e-mails with attachments from a sender without difficulty, then one appears from the same sender with the dreaded Winmail.dat.

Read this knowledge article from the Microsoft website.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278061

Thanks Philip...very informative and will be pointed out to Shannell in the office....along with the fact pointed out by others that to provide the service officially they are going to have to alter the file format to enable all recipients to read the file.

I'm using a windows based laptop running windows 7 premium.

 

[sedge]

This is a bit interesting to me because someone wants to send me a Windat file and I said errrr, what's that? - and he said like a zip file, just use windat like you would winzip to erm, un-dat it.

No idea what to do with it frankly.

 

[JeanLuc]

This is a bit interesting to me because someone wants to send me a Windat file and I said errrr, what's that? - and he said like a zip file, just use windat like you would winzip to erm, un-dat it.

No idea what to do with it frankly.

.dat files are NOT zip files - the dat refers to 'data' when the system has no idea what the related application should be - it is a generic file extension.

If you are referring to Winmail.dat specifically, read the link in my earlier reply to PappaJ above.
If the problem is .dat files generally, read this link:
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-open-dat-files/

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[olley]

Hi John find out what accounts program they are using, if its Sage I can send you a copy, which may allow you to read the files.

Ian

 

[Xoxoc]

John,

Assuming you are paid via bank transfer...
Assuming you are paid weekly...

Why not just ask them to keep the paper copies and you'll call in once a month for them?

You can check the right amount is paid via your bank.


As an aside...you say they are .dat files.

Are they winmail.dat or another filename?

 

[Wildman]

try this one John
http://www.eolsoft.com/freeware/winmail_opener/

 

[Reallyretired]

I just got them to post mine once a month.

 

[JeanLuc]

Attention all Mac Users

This has been a really useful thread - it prompted me to look more deeply into the dreaded 'Winmail.dat' problem.

There are two or three converters that can be installed on a Mac but I chose this free one called 'TNEF's Enough'.
http://www.joshjacob.com/mac-development/tnef.php

It installs as an application (drag and drop) then can be used either by saving a Winmail.dat attachment from a mail message, then opening it with TNEF. To make this an automatic choice, select a Winmail.dat file in the finder, click 'Command + I' for file info and change the associated application for this file type to 'TNEF's Enough' at the 'open with' drop-down. Choose 'change all' so that all versions of .dat files use TNEF's enough, then you can simply double click the Winmail.dat attachment in the mail message and it is opened and converted. At the foot of the window you will see any relevant attachments listed by name; save them (to the desktop) and open with the relevant application (Word, Excel, Acrobat, Preview etc.).

:thumb::thumb:

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