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Office 2007 programs - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - typically save files in a format that is not compatible with the older versions of Office; however, users can take steps to avoid problems when sharing files with others.

While you continue to use earlier versions of the Office suite, the following information will provide solutions for many compatibility issues with files created/saved in Office 2007 programs:

• To save an Office 2007 file in Office 97-2003 format
• To change Office 2007 settings so files are automatically saved in 97-2003 format
• Installing the Compatibility Pack for Office 2000, 2002 or 2003 for Windows
• To determine a file's format
• To display file extensions (Windows XP/2000)

To save an Office 2007 file in Office 97-2003 format

Office 2007 does allow users to save files in Office 97-2003 format, so they can be opened in earlier versions of Office, including Office for the Macintosh.

1. Open the Office 2007 file to be converted.
2. Click on the Office button (the large, round button in the top-left corner of the window).
3. Highlight Prepare, then click "Run Compatibility Checker" to check for features used in the document that may not be available in the earlier format.
4. Click OK to close the Compatibility Checker.
5. Click the Office button again.
6. Highlight "Save As," then click the ... 97-2003 ... option (Word 97-2003 Document, Excel 97-2003 Workbook, etc.).
7. Name the file, then click the Save button.

To change Office 2007 settings so files are automatically saved in 97-2003 format

1. Open the Office 2007 program (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
2. Click on the Office button.
3. Click the ... Options button (Word Options, Excel Options, etc.) at the bottom of the dialog box.
4. On the left side of the Options dialog box, click the Save category.
5. In the "Save Documents" area, select the appropriate 97-2003 format from the drop-down list next to "Save files in this format:"
6. Click OK.

Installing the Compatibility Pack for Office 2000, 2002 or 2003 for Windows

The Office Compatibility Pack will allow you to open, edit and save files in the Office 2007 format using your older versions of Office (Windows Only).

The free Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack is available from:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101686761033.aspx?pid=CL100796341033

It is important that you have installed all of the appropriate update patches first - be sure to read the information listed on this site carefully before installing the Compatibility Pack.

To determine a file's format

1. If the extension (e.g., .doc, .pptx) is not visible at the end of the filename, see the instructions below.
2. If the extension at the end of the filename ends with an x (e.g., .docx, .xlsx, .pptx) the file was created/saved in the Office 2007 format and it cannot be opened in Office 97, 2000, 2002 or 2003 unless the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack is installed. See instructions on installing the compatibility pack above.
3. Office 2007 files cannot currently be opened in any version of Office for the Macintosh without the installation of an additional file (beta version available - see Office 2007 and Macintosh Computers).
4. If the file extension does NOT end with an x character (.doc, .xls, .ppt) it was saved with the older Office 97-2003 formats which can be opened in ANY version of Office, including Office for the Macintosh.

To display file extensions (Windows XP/2000)

File extensions are normally hidden by default in all versions of Windows. To change this, follow these steps:

1. Open a My Computer or Windows Explorer window.
2. On the Menu Bar, click Tools, then click Folder Options (Windows 2000 - Options).
3. Click the View tab at the top of the Folder Options dialog box.
4. Remove the check mark from "Hide extensions for known file types".
5. Click OK.