Software Bridge. (word processing conversion package) (Evaluation)
by Barry Brenesal

Moving text between word processing packages consumes time and sometimes seems next to impossible because of embedded controls, wildly different print and layout settings, and proprietary languages. At such times, a good document converter proves vital. Perhaps the best known of such converters, Systems Compatibility's Software Bridge, now goes where no word processing conversion package has gone before, adding translation facilities for 12 spreadsheet and nine database formats (including Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, dBASE, and FoxBase).

Function keys handle the transfer of rows, columns, and isolated data. I tried Software Bridge on 13 programs that managed the change-over successfully. Note that these new conversions are strictly one-way--into word processing formats. While some other programs bidirectionally translate between a much broader range of software, they require considerably more input and knowledge from the user.

Little of this is necessary for Software Bridge, whose primary asset remains its ease of use as it hides translation complexity from the user. Identical font mapping during conversions occurs automatically where formats permit, and the program supports substitute fonts. If you want to see your files before translating them, just indicate their directory; as you scroll through the available file list on the left, they're displayed automatically in their native formats on the right. You can process one file or several, though you're limited to a single format conversion (WordPerfect 5.1 to XyWrite, for instance) per round.

If you need to perform format conversions, Systems Compatibility has a bridge for you. Supporting 60 formats in all, Software Bridge comes strongly recommended.