How do I work with a document that has been created in MS Office 2007?

Office 2007 incorporates a new Open XML file format for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  Access 2007 also features a new file format.  This guide explains what users of Office 2003 and earlier Office versions need to do in order to work with files created in these new formats, and cases where this is not possible.  For students and staff using Office 2007 on their own computers, this guide also explains the option of changing the default file format to Office 2003 standards if desired.

List of New Formats

The new file formats associated with each of the principle Microsoft Office 2007 programs are listed below. 

Application File Extension File Type
Word .docx document
Excel .xlsx spreadsheet
PowerPoint .pptx presentation
Access .accdb database

 

 

 

 

Avoiding Compatibility Problems If You Have Office 2007 on Your Own Computer

Although the new formats have distinct advantages, the fact that most users currently are unable to read them means you may prefer to continue using the old formats.  This can be done on a file by file basis from File | Save As, or you can follow the steps below to change the default format used when saving all files in each application.

To configure Word 2007, Excel 2007 and PowerPoint 2007 to use the old formats:

1. In Word 2007, click on the Office Button and choose Word Options.

2. From the panel on the left, select Save.  Under the Save documents heading, open the drop down list in Save Files in This Format and select Word 97-2003 (*.doc).

3. Follow the same steps in Excel 2007 and PowerPoint 2007.

4. In Access 2007, click on the Office Button and choose Access Options.  From the panel on the left, select Popular.  In the Creating databases section, open the Default File Format drop down list and select the option required.

The steps above will ensure that files created in these programs automatically are saved with the earlier file extensions (.doc, .xls, .ppt, .mbd).  You will still be able to read and work with files sent in the new formats and, should you want to save specific files in this way, all you need do is change the file format from File | Save As. You also can change the default format back to the new standard at any time by going through the same steps above and selecting the appropriate option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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