"Compatibility mode"

[Kirk McElhearn]

When I open a .doc file in Word, the title bar displays "Compatibility
mode". I understand that this means that certain features of Word 2008
are not available because it is not .docx. Can anyone tell me what
features are not available?

Thanks,

Kirk

 

[John McGhie]

Because the old .doc format will not store those features.

One of the reasons Microsoft created the new formats is because the old
formats are not either strong or powerful enough to contain the objects
needed in a modern document reliably.

Cheers

When I open a .doc file in Word, the title bar displays "Compatibility
mode". I understand that this means that certain features of Word 2008
are not available because it is not .docx. Can anyone tell me what
features are not available?

Thanks,

Kirk

--

Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP, Word and Word:Mac
Nhulunbuy, NT, Australia. mailto:[email protected]

 

[Kirk McElhearn]

Because the old .doc format will not store those features.

One of the reasons Microsoft created the new formats is because the old
formats are not either strong or powerful enough to contain the objects
needed in a modern document reliably.

Yes, but what kind of features?

Kirk

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

When I open a .doc file in Word, the title bar displays "Compatibility
mode". I understand that this means that certain features of Word 2008
are not available because it is not .docx. Can anyone tell me what
features are not available?

The SmartArt, for sure. Citation Manager only works with .docx---or it
might insert into a .doc but only as plain text. You should test
everything on the Elements Gallery, some of it works and some doesn't.

You might check Help on "what's new" for other clues.

Are you asking as part of updating your Take Control book?

 

[CyberTaz]

Unfortunately there is no cut & dried "list". In fact, many of the newer
features *can* be used with the assumption being that the doc will then be
saved as a .docx - it's only when you continue to save in .doc format that
the incompatible elements are converted to a form compatible with that
format. As Daiya indicated, it revolves mainly around the enhanced graphic
objects supported "as is" in the .docx format. Office 2008 employs a new &
enhanced graphics engine not available in earlier versions.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Kirk McElhearn]

Unfortunately there is no cut & dried "list". In fact, many of the newer
features *can* be used with the assumption being that the doc will then be
saved as a .docx - it's only when you continue to save in .doc format that
the incompatible elements are converted to a form compatible with that
format. As Daiya indicated, it revolves mainly around the enhanced graphic
objects supported "as is" in the .docx format. Office 2008 employs a new &
enhanced graphics engine not available in earlier versions.

Thanks.

I'm curious why there is no "compatibility mode" for .xls and .ppt
files; why this only shows up in Word. Is it really only about
graphics, and, I assume, the publishing layout stuff?

Kirk

 

[Kirk McElhearn]

The SmartArt, for sure. Citation Manager only works with .docx---or it
might insert into a .doc but only as plain text. You should test
everything on the Elements Gallery, some of it works and some doesn't.

Will do.

You might check Help on "what's new" for other clues.

Yea, there's nothing there, at least nothing that specifically mentions
compatibility mode.

Are you asking as part of updating your Take Control book?

No, this is for a Macworld article.

Thanks,

Kirk

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Yea, there's nothing there, at least nothing that specifically
mentions compatibility mode.

No, sorry, I was thinking that "what's new" would point you at items
that you could test yourself, not that it would have a list.

No, this is for a Macworld article.

Thanks.

Daiya

 

[Kirk McElhearn]

No, sorry, I was thinking that "what's new" would point you at items
that you could test yourself, not that it would have a list.

I did try some stuff, and couldn't find much - that's why I was asking.

Kirk

 

[CyberTaz]

Thanks.

I'm curious why there is no "compatibility mode" for .xls and .ppt files;
why this only shows up in Word. Is it really only about graphics, and, I
assume, the publishing layout stuff?

Kirk

I'm honestly not sure. It could be a matter of file structure or it could
just be an omission on the part of the design team... or anywhere in
between If I come across anything definitive I'll post back.