Help me select new Word programs

[cranheim]

I have an older Dell Pc running Windows XP Home edition. I also use Word
2002 w/SP3 and Works 6.0. I want to purchase a new PC, and need to know what
Office Product I would have order to get compatible software that would
allow me to use my .doc Word files, and my Works Spreadsheet .xlr files.
When I purchased my Dell, it came with Word2002 along with the Works
program. The Word and works files are both intermixed in my Documents
folder. It is my understanding the new Word file types are .docx (I think).
If this is true, does the new Word program allow reading the old .doc files?
Please advise me what new Office type software would be best to allow me to
continue having a good word program along with a spreadsheet program. I plan
on getting a PC using MS Vista operating software. Your help would be
greatly appreciated. Charles Ranheim

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Any version of Word will read your .doc files. Excel may be able to open the
..xlr files.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[CyberTaz]

Have a read here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/271080

You should be OK

 

[cranheim]

Bob Jones,

There is a lot of reference of what files certain levels of Works can
open. There is still some confusion in my mind. Is there any one program
offering that will allow creating and viewing both Word 7 files and Works
files. I want to be able to create these files as well as just view them. Is
there an office suite that covers what I am looking for, or would I have to
install something like Word 7 and some level of works to get the spreadsheet
functions. Charles Ranheim

 

[CyberTaz]

I can't give you a straight, cut & dried answer to your question because I
do not use Works at all. My experience has shown that trying to work between
the two is quite frustrating & problematic regardless of version. All I have
ever seen is that anyone is better making decision as to whether they need
the professional features of Office or whether the Works suite will satisfy
their needs. IMHO, it's always better to aim high & work backward if/when
necessary. Perhaps this additional KB will help you decide:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884182

I'm also not sure that Works is ever going to be continued beyond its most
current release, so that may be worth factoring into your decision.

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

 

[Rich/rerat]

cranheim,
If you purchase a brand new PC, it will probably have Vista installed on it.
It might also include a copy of MS Works 9.0 w/o MS Word in the cost.

You will either need to a stand alone copy of MS Word 2003 or MS Word 2007,
or purchase a copy of MS Office 2003 or MS Office 2007. Some PC
manufacturers are offering MS Office 2007 Student which will include MS
Word, but will not include MS Outlook 2007. If considering buying Office
2003, make sure that it is from a reputable dealer, and that it includes the
Product Key, especially for Student versions.

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I have an older Dell Pc running Windows XP Home edition. I also use Word
2002 w/SP3 and Works 6.0. I want to purchase a new PC, and need to know what
Office Product I would have order to get compatible software that would
allow me to use my .doc Word files, and my Works Spreadsheet .xlr files.
When I purchased my Dell, it came with Word2002 along with the Works
program. The Word and works files are both intermixed in my Documents
folder. It is my understanding the new Word file types are .docx (I think).
If this is true, does the new Word program allow reading the old .doc files?
Please advise me what new Office type software would be best to allow me to
continue having a good word program along with a spreadsheet program. I plan
on getting a PC using MS Vista operating software. Your help would be
greatly appreciated. Charles Ranheim

 

[cranheim]

I was looking at the MS Office Home and Student 2007 as a possibility. This
includes Word 2007 which I hope is compatible with my Word 2002, so I can
read and update my .doc files. I have no idea if the Excel 2007 is in any
way compatible with the spread sheets I have created using Works 6.0. I have
never used Excel. If will not be able to process my existing spreadsheet
files (.xlr), I may be able to buy MS Works 9 for that problem. Again, I
just want to continue being able to use and update my existing Word 2002
(.doc) files, and my existing Works Spreadsheet (.xlr) files. I have heard
Word 2007 now uses .docx file types. Will this present a problem? Thanks
again for your interest and help. Charles Ranheim

 

[Rich/rerat]

cranheim,
Excel 2007, will open MS Works (*.XLR) files, with no problems. Remember MS
Works uses & saves a single spreadsheet. Where Excel you can have several
individual spreadsheets, in a single Workbook (*.XLS) file.

Word 2007 will open older Word97-2003 (*.DOC) files, also when you save the
document, you will be given the option to save the document in Word97-2003
(*.DOC) file format. So they will work with older versions of MS Word, with
no or very little format changes.

Dell offers the following packages when buying a new PC.
1. MS Works2008 Plus for $ 79.00 more than the base price.
MS Works 9.0 (free) + MS Word 2003 (adds $ 79.00 to the basic price).

**I would suggest the MS Works 2008 Plus package for you, based on your
previous experience with MS Works. And the file formats that you are already
using. Especially since there will be a learning curve with using MS Office
2007 applications, based on the new User Interface. The "Ribbon" feature
comes to mind. Where MS Works 9.0 & Word 2003, are almost the same as
earlier versions of MS Works & MS Word.**

2. MS Office2007 Home & Student, for $149.00 when buying a new PC.
MS Excel, MS Word, etc..., No MS Outlook 2007

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I was looking at the MS Office Home and Student 2007 as a possibility. This
includes Word 2007 which I hope is compatible with my Word 2002, so I can
read and update my .doc files. I have no idea if the Excel 2007 is in any
way compatible with the spread sheets I have created using Works 6.0. I have
never used Excel. If will not be able to process my existing spreadsheet
files (.xlr), I may be able to buy MS Works 9 for that problem. Again, I
just want to continue being able to use and update my existing Word 2002
(.doc) files, and my existing Works Spreadsheet (.xlr) files. I have heard
Word 2007 now uses .docx file types. Will this present a problem? Thanks
again for your interest and help. Charles Ranheim

 

[cranheim]

If Excel 2007 will open MS Works (.XLR) files, would I be able to modify the
file and save it again as a (.XLR) file using Excel?
My reason for going with Word 2007 is that it will handle the new .docx as
well as the .doc files. The MS Works 9 + MS Word 2003 may not have this
capability. I thoughts were to go as high a level of software as possible
and still have compatibility (Word 2003 vs Word 2007) Charles Ranheim