Office 2007 file formats and compatibility with older versions
If you frequently receive files created in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you should be aware that by default Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows creates files in a new "OpenXML" format which is not compatible with earlier versions of Office. In particular, note that many new and returning students will be coming to campus with new computers, and new Windows-based PCs often come with Office 2007. This page explains how to work with Office 2007 files so that people using different versions of Office will be able to read them.
Can I use a pre-2007 version of Office to read a file created in Office 2007?
Not necessarily. It is possible for people with Office 2007 to use the Save As feature to save documents in the older "97-2003" format, and you could ask your correspondents to do that. Conversely, if you use Office 2007 you should consider saving documents you send to others in the older format to ensure that they will be readable.
Compatibility Pack for Windows: If you use a pre-2007 version of Office on a Windows-based PC, you will probably also want to download and install Microsoft's free Office Compatibility Pack for Windows which allows earlier Windows-based versions of Office to read files created in the new formats.
The Compatibility Pack must be installed by someone with Administrator privileges. If your PC is administered by someone else, you should consult with your system administrator regarding the best solution.
What about Macintosh users?
Office 2008 for the Macintosh can read the new file formats, but earlier versins cannot.
If you use a Macintosh, you will be able to read files created in Windows Office 2007 format most easily if you are using Office 2008, which came out in January 2008.
Earlier versions of Office for the Macintosh cannot read the new file formats. Microsoft released beta version 0.2.1 of a free converter for Macintosh (for Word and PowerPoint only, not Excel) in December 2007. This converter is less than perfect. You will get better results either using Office 2008 or asking associates who use Office 2007 to save their files in the "97-2003" format.
Apple offers another solution, saying that their new iWork product
is
compatible with the new Office 2007 formats (Word, PowerPoint, and
Excel). You can download a free 30-day
trial.
Return to the IT Help Center's Office 2007 page