Can't open Office 2007 and 2010 documents?

**Catty1** · 06-28-2011, 12:48 PM

A friend of mine works in a large oil and gas company downtown. I sent her Word document from my Office 2007, and she couldn't open it as her work computer had an older version of Office.

Microsoft has a free converter to work around that, which you can download here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en...aylang=en&id=3

**Karen** · 06-28-2011, 12:56 PM

You, the sender, should always "save down" to be compatible with older versions, it's the polite thing to do, unless you are sure of the receiver's capabilities.

**Catty1** · 06-28-2011, 06:02 PM

I understand, Karen - but I thought that oil and gas companies, which are THE moneymakers in Alberta, would have updated software for their employees! Guess not...

**mrspunkysmom** · 06-28-2011, 09:38 PM

Our school system has the same problem. They ordered 2007 for the office staff and the like yet the teachers had 2003. Still do.

The secretaries would send stuff out in 2007 format and treat us like we were crazy when we asked them to send it in 2003 format.

Document convertor is great.

**smokey the elder** · 06-29-2011, 07:34 AM

You can always save a .docx (2007) as a .doc (2003 and older.)

**mrspunkysmom** · 06-29-2011, 08:18 AM

I know that. I have 2007 at home now and I usually work in 2003-2007 format. Sadly, other people don't consider what versions others may have.

**Puckstop31** · 06-29-2011, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Karen

You, the sender, should always "save down" to be compatible with older versions, it's the polite thing to do, unless you are sure of the receiver's capabilities.

Just remember that some functions (noteably, Excel calculation scripts) often do not 'save down' correctly. Be sure to let the recipient of the 'down' version know that, if its a Excel sheet with calculations.... Or a Power Point file with Flash content embedded.... or a Access database.... Or if you intend to use any content with a SharePoint site.