MS Word for Mac Compatability 6.0./95

[arussell00]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

Facts: I'm running OS X 10.5.2 Leopard and MS Word for Mac 2008 (with the latest software updates installed).

Problem: When I create a document in Word, I know I have to save it as a .doc file in order for it to be readable on a pc (correct?); however, every time I do this, as I go to save the file, the compatability report shows that there is an issue: Word 6.0/95 compatability options are set. In order to remedy the problem just as the report instructs me, I go to Word - Preferences - Compatability - and under recommended options, I choose Microsoft Word 2000-2004 and X (as recommended), and then I click ok. But when I run the compatability report again, it STILL says the options are set at Word 6.0/95 when clearly I just changed them? Can anyone help? I've noticed several other people have had this EXACT same problem.

Also, in the process of trying to fix this, under Preferences - Compatability - I chose Microsoft 2000-2004 and X to be the default settings. What are the original default settings, and how do I get back to them / do I even need to?

(reasons for the needed compatability: I'm a student typing notes on a mac, and have free printing from the library pc's - they have Windows XP on them, and I have no idea what version of Word they're running).

Thanks!

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, your first assumption is incorrect - There's no need to save in .doc
format for the sake of PC users (or at least there *shouldn't* be). Anyone
using Word 2000, 2002 or 2003 should be able to use the file if they've kept
there software updated - the filters for handling .docx have been freely
supplied via the updates. And .docx is the native format for Word 2007.

To help insure that the files arrive OK tick the checkbox for Append File
Extension in Save As & leave it that way. Also, zip any files before sending
as attachments & make sure your email program is set to encode attachments
properly [either "Windows Friendly" or MIME/Base 64 depending on program].

One serious consideration, though, since you mention "notes": I would avoid
using Word 2008's Notebook Layout View - or at least experiment with it to
determine its portability to any Windows version of Word. I haven't had an
opportunity to really test it as yet, but *none* of the Win versions support
that feature & the document structure will most definitely be effected.
You'll have to make your own determination as to whether the result is
acceptable.

As for the Compatibility Check message, this is a "bug" we've been harping
about since 2008 was released for exactly the reason you've posted - it
gives the wrong impression. You'll get the same message when you check
compatibility on *any* file in the .doc format.

The default (original) Save format is Word Document (.docx). I'd suggest you
set the Save Preference to that & set the Compatibility Preference to Word
2007-2008 - If you have a specific need to save a copy of a file in a
different format use the File Types: list in the Save As dialog at the time
you first save it.

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