Knowledge Base

How to Use the Chinese Code Converter

Article ID: 166428

Article Last Modified on 2/26/2007

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q166428

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:
  1. Click the Start button, point to Program, point to Accessories, and then click Chinese Code Converter.

    -or-

    Type Chnuconv.exe at the Command Line.
  2. On the Source tab, click Open to access the source file.
  3. Select the corresponding code page for the source file, if it is not Unicode or not the same as the current locale code page.
  4. Click the Destination tab, and then click the output code page.
  5. 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
  6. Click Convert Now, and then click Save As.
  7. 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: kbhowto kbnetwork KB166428


Send feedback to Microsoft

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.