Use a third-party converter to import and export files

You can use form template importers to import files from other programs, and then use those files as Microsoft Office InfoPath form templates. You can use form template exporters to export InfoPath form templates for use in other programs.

This article explains how to locate importers and exporters from third-party companies and individuals. It also describes how to use those importers and exporters in InfoPath.

What do you want to do?

Use a third-party importer to import a form into InfoPath

Use a third-party exporter to export a form from InfoPath

Use a third-party importer to import a form into InfoPath

Form template importers make it possible for you to create an InfoPath form template from a document or form in another format. InfoPath includes two form template importers, which enable you to convert an existing Microsoft Office Excel workbook or Microsoft Office Word document into an InfoPath form template.

Note: To complete this procedure, you must have already installed a third-party importer.

1. On the File menu, click Import Form.

2. In the Select the import method to use list on the first page of the Import Wizard, click a previously installed importer, and then click Next.

3. Follow the instructions in the Import Wizard to finish importing the file.

Note: The functionality of the resulting form template depends on the particular importer. In some cases, after the form template has been imported, you may need to manually create the data source for the new form template, and then bind the controls on the form template to fields or groups in the data source.

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Use a third-party exporter to export a form from InfoPath

Form template exporters let you create forms and documents in other formats from a form template that is open in InfoPath design mode.

Note:  To complete this procedure, you must have already installed a third-party exporter.

1. In design mode, open the form template that you want to export.

2. On the File menu, click Export Form.

3. In the Select the export method to use list on the first page of the Export Wizard, click a previously installed exporter, and then click Next.

4. Follow the instructions in the Export Wizard to finish exporting the form template.

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