Opening and using files created in Office 2007 for PC and Office 2008 for Mac
Some users (such as students) and those outside of the University are now upgrading to the new Microsoft Office 2007 for PC or 2008 for Mac software suites. In these new versions of Office, Microsoft has changed the "file format" and "extension" in which Office files are saved which may cause compatibility issues with earlier versions of Office.
The "file format" is the way a program saves a file so that the file can be correctly opened in the application that created it. To let the computer know what program created a certain file, "file extensions," which are usually three characters that are automatically added to the end of every file name are used. Sometimes these extensions are hidden from view to lessen confusion.
In Office 2003 for PC and 2004 for Mac (the versions currently used by faculty and staff computers), Word is saved in the .doc file extension format, Excel is saved in the .xls format and PowerPoint is saved in the .ppt format. In Office 2007 and 2008, the letter "x" is added to the end of the 2003/2004 file extensions. As a result, Word 2007/2008 saves in the .docx file format, Excel saves in the .xlsx format and PowerPoint saves in the .pptx format. Consequently, files created in Office 2007/2008 cannot normally be opened in Office 2003 or 2004.
However, there are a two ways to make sure that everyone is able to read, view, and work with Office 2007 and 2008 documents, presentations, and workbooks especially in Office 2003 for Windows or Office 2004 for Mac.
1. On campus, Computing and Network Services has installed the Office Compatibility Pack automatically for our Windows users on campus. Mac users will have to download the Compatibility Pack and install it separately (see the instructions below to download the software separately, which can be done with the help of C&NS). This software will allow users to open and work with Office 2007 or 2008 files.
If you have Office 2003 for Windows or Office 2004 for Mac at home, you can obtain the Office Compatibility Pack separately. Click on one of the following links to bring you to the correct Microsoft website:
2. Have Office 2007/2008 users save in the Office 2003/2004 file formats. Users can choose the "Word 97-2003 Document *.doc," "Excel 97-2003 Workbook *.xls," and "PowerPoint 97-2003 Presentation *.ppt" file types when saving a file in Office 2007 and 2008. This will allow for the best compatibility with Office 2003/2004.
For more information about how to save with Office 2007/2008 and changing the default saving options, please download the following PDF:
Using Files created in Office 2007 for PC and Office 2008 for Mac
Resources:
- For an general overview about Office compatibility, go to this article entitled: All versions of Office can play nice - Crabby shows you how. Authored by the Crabby Office Lady.
- If you are an Office 2007 user and want to make your files compatible with Office 2003, go to this article entitled: Create a document to be used by previous versions of Word.
- For information about installing the Office Compatibility Pack, go to this article entitled: Open a Word 2007 document in an earlier version of Word.
- For information on how Office 2007 users can save a document in another file format, go to this article entitled: Use Word to open or save a file in another file format.
Do not, under any circumstances, install Microsoft Office 2007 or 2008 for Mac or Windows Vista by yourself on University owned computers. The software that is available from the Library is for home use only. It is not the same software that is used by C&NS to deploy to University machines. Such an action will result in a complete erasing of your computer and the reinstallation of Windows XP/Mac OS X and Office 2003 or Office 2004 for Mac.
C&NS is currently discussing rollout plans for Office 2007 and 2008 on campus and will be setting up resource websites regarding rollout and support.
If you have any questions concerning working with Office 2007/2008 documents, please contact C&NS at ext. 4069 or send an e-mail to cns@fairfield.edu.
Thank you, and safe computing.