How do I open documents saved in MS Word 2003?

[JimSFSU]

My version of MS Office 2007 does not open documents saved in MS Word 2003.
Is thius a problem for Vista generally, or is there a setting I'm missing?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Word 2007 should be able to open Word 2003 documents. We can't see your
screen from here, so you'll have to tell us what happens when you try to
do it. If you get an error message, quote it exactly and completely.

 

[Eric A.]

Sorry for jumping in Garfield-n-odie...

I have been seeing issues from time to time with the file associations for
older formats not working.

I may be way off base here... but does it seem like the problem is that when
you double click on .doc files they don't open in word, but if you were to
open word and then goto file, open and browse to the file it opens correctly?
If this is the case then there is a file association problem.

To fix... right click on a .doc file, goto open with, select word and make
sure that "always use the selected program to open this kind of file" is
checked. Hit ok.

 

[iogt007]

Download the compatability pack from Microsoft

 

[iogt007]

Compatability pack dowbload is available at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD100602081033.aspx

 

[Gordon]

Download the compatability pack from Microsoft

the compatibility pack is so that Office 2003 can open the new default
document types created by Office 2007 - the OP's problem seems to be the
other way round...

 

[Monica]

I'm having the same problem.

Eric. A, you have helped me at least open the files I have saved in 2003
office, however the later part of your message didnt work, it seems to have
changed all the word and publisher files into a doc file but the excel files
have not been altered.

 

[Eric Ashton]

Office 2007 should have no problem opening Office 2003 files. You may want to
uninstall Office 2007 and reinstall it.

 

[Eric Ashton]

Office 2007 can open Office 2003 documents by default without any user
invention. You may want to uninstall and reinstall Office 2007 as it sounds
broke.

 

[KA]

Hi. I have Vista with Microsoft 2003. I am trying to download the
Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, Powerpoint File Formats. When I hit the
'Download' tab, I get the message the my "current security settings do not
allow this file to be downloaded". I have tried lowering the security
(Internet Options) - but it still does not allow it. Any ideas? KA