Is the file with the ".dat" extension perhaps "Winmail.dat"?
If so;
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;278061

Also, a "Google" on "winmail.dat" and you'll get tons of hits.

--
Regards;
Rob
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"amber" wrote in message
...
My friend emailed me a Word file (*.doc file) to me, but the file Ive saved
from the attachment in Outlook Express has a .dat extension. I cant seem to
open it in wordpad. notepad or Work's wordprocessor, or even with Wordperfect
Office 12 (I dont have Word). Is my friend wrong about what he has sent?