Microsoft Office Compatibility

Vista at Haverford
MS Compatibility Pack for Windows
Change Office 2007's default format

Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows and Office 2008 for Macintosh introduce compatibility issues between Office versions

In January 2007 Microsoft released a new version of Office for Windows computers, Office 2007. In January 2008, Microsoft released Office 2008 for the Macintosh. Office 2007 and 2008 use the same default file format, but this format cannot be opened by older versions of Microsoft Office--unless you take the steps outlined below.

Please read the instructions for your version of Office to ensure you can share documents with others.

• Windows Office 2007
• Macintosh Office 2008
• Windows Office XP, 2002, and 2003
• Macintosh Office X and 2004
• Additional information

Windows Office 2007 Users

Office 2007 users should save files in the Office 97 - 2003 format when working with people whose systems cannot read the new XML format. The instructions below are for Word, but similar options exist in Excel and PowerPoint. These formats also work with Office 2004.

The instructions below are for Word, but similar options exist in Excel and PowerPoint.

1. From the round Office icon, select the Save As option.

2. Select the Word 97-2003 Document format.

Note: It is possible to change the defaults in Office 2007 programs. See our web page Change Office 2007's default file format to the Office 97 - 2003 format for details.

Macintosh Office 2008 Users

Office 2008 users should save files in the Office 97 - 2004 format when working with people whose systems cannot read the new XML format. The instructions below are for Word, but similar options exist in Excel and PowerPoint.

1. From the File menu, select the Save As option.
2. Select the Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) format.
3. Click the Save button.

Windows Office XP, 2002, and 2003 Users

Microsoft provides a "compatibility pack" which allows you to open and save files in Microsoft's new formats. We strongly recommend that all Windows users with Office XP, Office 2002, or Office 2003 install this compatibility pack from Microsoft's web site.

Macintosh Office X and 2004 Users (OS X 10.4.9 or newer):

Microsoft released an "Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0" on July 3, 2008. Macintosh users with Mac OS X version 10.4.9 (Tiger) or a later version of Mac OS can now convert files that were created in default file formats of Office 2008 for Mac or Office 2007 for Windows.

If you are unsure what operating system your Macintosh uses see About This Macintosh. If your Macintosh is running Office 2004 or Office X, and has Mac OS X version 10.4.9 (Tiger), follow the steps below.

1. Download and install the "Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0"
2. Office 2004 users: For best results, install the "Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.0 Update"
   

Macintosh Office X and 2004 Users (OS X 10.3):

The converter will not install on Macintosh system running Mac OS X 10.3 or older operating systems.

If you are unsure what operating system your Macintosh uses see About This Macintosh. If your Macintosh is running Office 2004 or Office X, and has Mac OS X version 10.3, take one or more of the actions below:

• Contact the sender and request the document in an Office 97-2004 format. You may give the sender the 2007 or 2008 instructions above.
• Open the document from a computer that has Office 2007, Office 2008, or the compatibility pack installed. All computers in our public labs can open files in the Office 2007/2008 formats.
• Send your file to the Help Desk and we will convert it for you.
• Haverford faculty members may ask the Administrative Assistant in their building to convert the document to a readable format. All of the Provost Office Administrative Assistants have been provided with conversion software.
• Consider upgrading to a newer operating system. Those with computers owned by the college should contact their computing liaison for more information.

Additional Information:

You can find additional information about XML and conversion issues on Microsoft's web site.

• How to use earlier versions of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word to open and save files from 2007 Office programs

• Information about how to work with Open XML Format files in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac