If the DAT file you're trying to open is text, you can convert the file into text in the Microsoft Excel program by first saving it as a CSV file.

How to Automatically Convert an Excel File to Text Using Visual Basic. Microsoft's ubiquitous spreadsheet application, Excel, is a useful tool for small and large businesses alike.

The Text Recovery converter is a rather obscure feature in Word, and one that most people have never heard of, much less know how to use.

Open the file with the Text Recovery converter. (C:\\Users\…\SPLITTING NAILS.docx)” I have tried all these suggestions but they didn’t help. Thanks ahead of time. – Norma M.

How to open other text formats in Word Notice how many file formats Word can open with its (hidden) built-in conversion utility.