How to Use the Chinese Code Converter

Last reviewed: June 20, 1997
Article ID: Q166428

The information in this article applies to:

Pan Chinese Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SUMMARY

The Chinese Code Converter is a tool used to convert Chinese plain text to different code pages. However, the file must be in .txt format; other document formats are not supported.

Code page types include:

Unicode, CNS11643, IBM PS/55
GB, TCA, TELEgraph
BIG5, ETEN, and WANG

Text files can be switched between these coding types. The converter recognizes a source file as either a Unicode or non-Unicode file as it is being opened. If it is a Unicode based file, the code page will select Unicode; otherwise, it will select the current locale code page. For example, Chinese (PRC or Hong Kong) locale will set the default to GB code page, and Chinese (Taiwan) locale will set the default to BIG5 code page.

CNS11643, IBM PS/55, TCA, TELEgraph, ETEN, and WNAG code page selections are only available in Chinese (Taiwan) locale. Unicode, GB, and BIG5 code pages are available in all three Chinese locales.

This tool also translates Traditional Chinese Characters to Simplified Chinese characters. The reverse is true, as well.

MORE INFORMATION

To convert a .txt file code page:

Click the Start button, point to Program, point to Accessories, and then click Chinese Code Converter. -or- Type Chnuconv.exe at the Command Line.
On the Source tab, click Open to access the source file.
Select the corresponding code page for the source file, if it is not Unicode or not the same as the current locale code page.
Click the Destination tab, and then click the output code page.
To convert characters between Simplified and Traditional Chinese, click the Option tab and then select the appropriate option:
```
    - Do Not Convert
    - From Traditional to Simplified
    - From Simplified to Traditional
```
Click Convert Now, and then click Save As.
Assign a file name to the converted file with an extension that designates the format.

The following tables show the valid combinations for the Chinese Code Converter selections:

Text File Contains Only BIG5 Chinese Characters

Option / Destination code page | To BIG5  | To GB   | To Unicode

From Simplified to Traditional |   N/A    |   N/A   |   N/A

From Traditional to Simplified |   N/A    |   T     |   T

Do not convert                 |   N/A    |   T     |   T

Text File Contains Only GB/GBK Chinese Characters

Option / Destination code page | To BIG5  | To GB   | To Unicode

From Simplified to Traditional |  M, S    |  M, S   |  M, S

From Traditional to Simplified |  N/A     |  M, T   |  M, T

Do not convert                 |  T       |  N/A    |  M

Text File Contains Only Unicode Chinese Characters

Option / Destination code page | To BIG5  | To GB   | To Unicode

From Simplified to Traditional |  M, S    |  M, S   |  M, S

From Traditional to Simplified |  N/A     |  M, T   |  M, T

Do not convert                 |  T       | M, S, T |  N/A

T: Document contains Traditional Chinese characters S: Document contains Simplified Chinese characters M: Document Mixed with Traditional and Simplified Chinese characters N/A: Not a valid selection

Keywords : kbnetwork NTWkst
Version : 4.0
Platform : WinNT
Issue type : kbhowto

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: June 20, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.