Why can't others open my documents?

[irchamandy]

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

I always save in "Word 97-2004" format. When I send Word documents to people with Windows computers, they can't open them. I get emails from them saying "I can't open this. Please send in Word format." Why can't they open my documents?

 

[CyberTaz]

If your email software is properly set for encoding attachments the problem
is on the other end - their email server is not properly configured. About
all you can do is:

1- Check your email program's Preferences to make sure it's configured to
send "Windows Friendly" attachments or MIME/Base64 encoding, and

2- Zip the files & send the zipped versions as attachments.

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

 

[irchamandy]

Thanks for your reply.

I use Gmail. My two sending choices are:

- Use default text encoding for outgoing messages
- Use Unicode (UTF-8) encoding for outgoing messages

The first one is chosen. Should I use Unicode instead?

If the problem is at the other end, why do I only have this problem with 2008? I constantly have it with 2008 and never had it with 2004.

 

[Phillip Jones]

Try one of two options:

when you have a file look and see if the hide extension check box has
been checked. If it has uncheck it. Will automatically attach the .doc
extension on to your file. Try send a test document to a will guinea pig.

Next if that doesn't do it from finder locate command to create zip
archive from file. save a s .zip file and send to you buddy.
One or the other should do just fine.

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

I always save in "Word 97-2004" format. When I send Word documents to people with Windows computers, they can't open them. I get emails from them saying "I can't open this. Please send in Word format." Why can't they open my documents?

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[CyberTaz]

The settings you've found pertain to the message content, not to
attachments. With web mail services you don't usually have much choice if
any... And with gmail, none at all.

Do as Phillip & I suggested:

Make sure you save new documents with the extension added -- there's a
simple checkbox in the Save As dialog labeled "Append file extension". For
an existing file you can select it in a Finder window then use Command+G
(Get Info) to be certain the is no check in the Hide Extension checkbox. If
necessary edit the file name to add the extension.

Secondly, Zip the files before attaching.

If you continue to have problems you can report the issue to Google:

<https://mail.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=gtag_headers&ct
x=gtag_headers&bug_topic=Outgoing+Attachment+Issue>

Good Luck |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac