AW File – What is .aw file and how to open it?
AW File Extension
Answer Wizard File – file format by Microsoft
AW (Answer Wizard File) is a file extension developed by Microsoft for its Answer Wizard virtual assistant. It stores information used by the assistant to provide answers to user queries.
Description and Usage:
An AW file is a data file associated with Microsoft Answer Wizard, a discontinued software program that provided online help and assistance. It contains a collection of help topics, answers, and other resources stored in a proprietary format. AW files were used by Answer Wizard to provide users with quick and easy access to relevant information while using Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Office or Windows.
Technical Details and Compatibility:
AW files are typically plain text files with the extension “.AW”. They consist of a series of questions and answers organized into a structured format. Each help topic was identified by a unique keyword or phrase, allowing users to search for and retrieve specific information quickly. AW files were only compatible with Microsoft Answer Wizard and were not supported by other applications. With the discontinuation of Answer Wizard, AW files have become obsolete and are no longer commonly used.
Overview of AW File Format
An AW file is a data dictionary file used by Microsoft Answer Wizard, a built-in help tool included in earlier versions of Microsoft Office. It contains definitions of terms and concepts related to the supported applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The data dictionary serves as a knowledge base for the help system, providing context-sensitive assistance to users.
Opening AW Files
AW files can be opened using the following methods:
- Microsoft Answer Wizard: If you have Microsoft Answer Wizard installed, you can open AW files by double-clicking on them or by selecting “Open” from the Answer Wizard menu.
- External File Editors: You can also open AW files using any text editor that supports XML, such as Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code. The AW file contains XML data, so you can view its structure and content using an XML editor.
- Online Converters: If you do not have Answer Wizard or an XML editor installed, you can use online converters to extract the data from the AW file. These converters typically allow you to download the extracted data in formats such as CSV or JSON for further analysis or processing.
Answer Wizard Files (AW)
Answer Wizard files, identified by the .AW extension, are proprietary file formats developed by Microsoft primarily associated with its Answer Wizard software, a knowledge management and retrieval system. Answer Wizard allows users to create and organize knowledge bases, which are collections of information stored in hierarchical structures. AW files serve as the underlying format for storing and sharing these knowledge bases, enabling users to preserve the organization and structure of their content.
One significant advantage of AW files is their ability to integrate various types of information, including text, images, sound files, and hyperlinks. This allows knowledge bases created using Answer Wizard to be comprehensive and interactive, providing users with a rich and engaging learning experience. Additionally, AW files support full-text search capabilities, making it easy to locate specific pieces of information within a knowledge base.