WKF is a file extension used by WorkFlow files from various applications (common in some CAD, workflow, or backup tools). To convert WKF files, follow these steps:
wkf_binary_to_csv('input.wkf', 'output.csv', num_channels=4)
Important: You must know the byte structure, endianness, and number of channels for your specific WKF file. Without the file specification, this is guesswork. wkf file converter
import struct
import csv
import numpy as np
def wkf_binary_to_csv(input_file, output_file, num_channels=4, sample_rate=100):
"""
Convert a binary WKF file to CSV.
Adjust struct format and byte order based on your WKF specification.
"""
with open(input_file, 'rb') as f:
# Read header (first 1024 bytes) - adjust size based on your WKF type
header = f.read(1024)
# Example: Header contains metadata (sample count)
# For demo, we read remaining data as 32-bit floats (little-endian)
data = f.read()
# Unpack binary data into floats
# '<f' = little-endian, 4-byte float
fmt = '<' + str(len(data) // 4) + 'f'
floats = struct.unpack(fmt, data)
# Reshape into channels
samples_per_channel = len(floats) // num_channels
matrix = np.array(floats[:samples_per_channel * num_channels]).reshape(samples_per_channel, num_channels)
# Write to CSV
with open(output_file, 'w', newline='') as csvfile:
writer = csv.writer(csvfile)
writer.writerow([f'Channel_i+1' for i in range(num_channels)])
for row in matrix:
writer.writerow(row)
print(f"Converted input_file to output_file")
Part 10: Future-Proofing – Avoiding WKF Lock-in
If you currently generate WKF files (e.g., from a data logger), stop using proprietary formats. Implement these best practices immediately: WKF File Converter — Overview & How to
- Always export a secondary format: Every time you save a
.wkf, also export a .csv or .txt.
- Document the schema: Keep a PDF note detailing: number of channels, sample rate, byte order (endianness), and data type (float32, int16).
- Use open-source alternatives: Consider switching to MSEED (seismology) or ASDF (geophysics) which have open specifications.
Part 5: Step-by-Step Guide – Converting WKF to CSV using a Universal Converter
Assuming you have a generic WKF file and no source software, follow this practical workflow using a tool like FileMagic or CoolUtils Total CSV Converter.
8. Future Work
- Machine learning fallback: If binary parsing fails, train a model to infer match events from screen-scraped PDF reports.
- Real-time capture: Sniff USB/Bluetooth traffic between WKF scoring tablet and display screen to generate live JSON stream.
- Cloud converter API: Deploy converter as a microservice (Docker + FastAPI) for web-based drag-and-drop conversion.
Method 2: The Manual "Brute Force" Conversion (For Text-Based WKF)
Some WKF files are actually plain text with a specific delimiter. You can check this using a Hex editor or Notepad++. Important: You must know the byte structure, endianness,
How to inspect:
- Right-click the
.wkf file > Open with Notepad++.
- If you see readable numbers (e.g.,
P001 5241800.32 418200.99 150.20), you can convert manually.
- If you see
NUL or ÿØÿà symbols, the file is binary and requires Method 1.
Manual Conversion Steps (if text-based):
- Open the file in Notepad++.
- Use
Ctrl + A (Select All) > Copy.
- Paste into Microsoft Excel.
- Use
Data > Text to Columns > Delimited > Select Space or Tab.
- Save as
.xlsx or .csv.
Warning: You will lose metadata (projection settings, units, instrument height). Only use this for raw coordinate lists.
▲