2003 Compatibility Issues

[LD]

Can 2007 read and save to Visio 2003 format files?

Can Visio 2003 read and save to Visio 2007 Format files?
I have noticed compatibility problems between the previous versions, while
you answer maybe a "Yes", if this is so then,

What is the process and requirements in 2007 to make the conversion?

What is the process and requirements in 2003 to make the conversion?

If I have some software budget today, do I buy 2003 or wait and get 2007 and
hope it works with all the 2003 systems out there?

Thanks

 

[Al Edlund]

as observations :

a: I just opened and saved a v2003 file using v2007(rtm). No problems. Like
v2003 it has a save as v2002 option. Visio has consistently read down level
versions and provided the ability to save as at least one version previous.

b: opening and saving between versions for basic functions is pretty
straight forward, the addins are not. It is probably not valid to assume
that v2003 will understand data-graphics and data-recordsets (advanced data
functionality in v2007). I haven't tested compatibility for things like
org-charts, flow-charts, floor plans or any of the others.

c: regarding v2003 or v2007, if they are priced the same this should be a
no-brainer. If not, you have to decide what you are going to use it for and
whether the pricier version has what you need.

al

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Just to follow up on Al's comments:

Visio 2007 uses the same file format as Visio 2003. Documents created in
Visio 2007 open fine in Visio 2003. Both versions have the same backward
compatibility support for older Visio files and can save back to the Visio
2000 / 2002 file format.

Visio 2007's new features let you do many new things with drawings. You
won't have these features available when the drawings are opened in Visio
2003, but you still get their results. For example, once you apply one of
the new Themes in Visio 2007, you see it in Visio 2003. In many cases, you
can modify drawings in Visio 2003 and then reopen them in Visio 2007 to
continue working with the new features.

You can find more information about Visio 2007 here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/FX100487861033.aspx
Some of the new features are described here (read from the bottom):
http://blogs.msdn.com/eric_rockey/

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.