How do I determine if I should use ASCII, Binary, or Auto Detect for transfers?

Files can be transferred in ASCII, binary, or "Auto" mode.

A file that is text, HTML, postscript, other ASCII format (.txt, .html, .htm, .cgi), or EBCDIC should be transferred in ASCII mode .

Note: Transferring a binary file in ASCII format can damage the file.

A file that is a bitmap, an executable, or compressed (.bmp, .jpg, .exe, .zip) should be transferred in binary mode . (Binary mode should also be used if there is no file extension or the file extension is not registered.)

If you select Auto mode, WS_FTP checks to see if the file has an extension that is listed on the ASCII Filenames dialog. If so, ASCII mode is used; if not, binary mode is used.

Selecting the Transfer Mode

You can set the startup transfer mode for a site, folder, or the application. Or you can select the transfer mode for a particular transfer as follows:

  1. Select the file(s) you want to transfer.
  2. Select the transfer mode.

Click the Upload or Download arrow.