27. A method usable in a word processing system for handling text stored in a first file that is encoded using a foreign code page, which is different than a native code page, so that any character in the text for which there is no native code page encoded equivalent character is not lost or changed when said first file is opened by the word processing system for display in a document and then said document is saved to a second file, comprising the steps of: (a) opening said first file containing the text encoded in the foreign code page for entry of at least a portion of the text into the document; (b) determining if a default code page of the text selected to be displayed is identical to the native code page; (c) identifying any exceptions records for characters in the text selected for display; (d) where native code page encoded characters exist that correspond to characters of the text encoded with the foreign code page, translating said characters encoded with the foreign code page to corresponding native code page encoded characters and temporarily storing the native code page characters in a display buffer, and if no corresponding native code page characters exist, temporarily storing native code page characters that comprise a best possible match in the display buffer; (e) displaying the native code page characters temporarily stored in the display buffer on a display screen; and (f) storing the document in said second file so that the text in the document that was encoded using the foreign code page is still encoded using the foreign code page and so that in said second file, no characters encoded in the foreign code page are changed or lost as a result of being stored in the second file, when the document is thus saved.
27. A method usable in a word processing system for handling text stored in a first file that is encoded using a foreign code page, which is different than a native code page, so that any character in the text for which there is no native code page encoded equivalent character is not lost or changed when said first file is opened by the word processing system for display in a document and then said document is saved to a second file, comprising the steps of: (a) opening said first file containing the text encoded in the foreign code page for entry of at least a portion of the text into the document; (b) determining if a default code page of the text selected to be displayed is identical to the native code page; (c) identifying any exceptions records for characters in the text selected for display; (d) where native code page encoded characters exist that correspond to characters of the text encoded with the foreign code page, translating said characters encoded with the foreign code page to corresponding native code page encoded characters and temporarily storing the native code page characters in a display buffer, and if no corresponding native code page characters exist, temporarily storing native code page characters that comprise a best possible match in the display buffer; (e) displaying the native code page characters temporarily stored in the display buffer on a display screen; and (f) storing the document in said second file so that the text in the document that was encoded using the foreign code page is still encoded using the foreign code page and so that in said second file, no characters encoded in the foreign code page are changed or lost as a result of being stored in the second file, when the document is thus saved. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein only characters of the text from the first file encoded using the foreign code page that are displayed are translated to the native code page.