Word .docx compatibility with .doc

[ChrisL]

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

I save documents in the new .docx format, but every time I send one to a PC owner running Word I inevitably get a response telling me that he/she cannot open my attachment. I wind-up having to re-save the document in .doc format. This, of course, is really annoying and wastes time. Any suggestions (besides: "Stop using your new Word format.")?

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

I save documents in the new .docx format, but every time I send one to a
PC owner running Word I inevitably get a response telling me that he/she
cannot open my attachment.

They need to update their copy of Office for Windows.
MS released patches allowing older versions of Office to open the new
format. I'm not sure how far back it goes, but I know for sure that
Office 2003 is covered.

Corentin

 

[ChrisL]

Thanks for the reply. I have sent the information to just about everyone on my mail list -- particularly, those who have complained that they cannot open Word attachments save as .docx files.

 

[MacAttorney]

Thanks for the reply. I have sent the information to just about everyone on my mail list -- particularly, those who have complained that they cannotopen Word attachments save as .docx files.

Asking all of your associates to upgrade their copy of Office/Word is
unrealistic.

Word 2008 can easily save documents in the older .doc format, and you
should send them files in that format for compatibility. You can even
set that file format as the default.

Assuming that you have a good reason for not wanting to do that, what
your associates then need is a translator to turn those .docx files
into the older .doc format that their version of Word can handle.
Here is a free one your associates can download from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-df10-4bdd-bbdf-605441dce97b&DisplayLang=en

Panergy offers a translator for $20:

docXConverter ($20)
http://www.panergy-software.com

 

[MacAttorney]

Thanks for the reply. I have sent the information to just about everyone on my mail list -- particularly, those who have complained that they cannotopen Word attachments save as .docx files.

Thanks for the reply. I have sent the information to just about everyone on my mail list -- particularly, those who have complained that they cannotopen Word attachments save as .docx files.

Word 2008 can easily save documents in the older .doc format, and you
should send your associates files in that format for compatibility.
You can even
set that file format as the default.

Assuming that you have a good reason for not wanting to do that, what
your associates then need is a translator to turn those .docx files
into the older .doc format that their version of Word can handle.
Here is a free one your associates can download from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262c0fad-df1...

Panergy offers a translator for $20:

docXConverter ($20)
http://www.panergy-software.com

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Chris:

If it's *ALL* your Windows associates, just ensure that you are emailing the
thing in MIME format. Windows email can't read Apple formats unless it's
properly set up, and it never is

Almost ALL Windows Users should be able to read .dotx format, so there's no
excuse.

Sometimes, you have to be a little assertive. Next time they say "I can't
open it!!" respond "That's a pity." Or: "Call the Help Desk." People are
lazy beasts -- they will make this your problem if you allow them to

I certainly wouldn't downgrade your local files: you will lose data and the
old format is anything up to four times the size; not a good candidate for
emailing

Cheers

Thanks for the reply. I have sent the information to just about everyone on my
mail list -- particularly, those who have complained that they cannot open
Word attachments save as .docx files.

--
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
Sydney, Australia. mailto:[email protected]

 

[yarlq]

Word's handling of .doc-uments is as stupid as anything MS does.

Yeah - it can open them. Then it goes stupid.

No edit, no function, no ----!

$400 worth of crap. Open Office works, it translates .docs and IT DOESN'T
LOCK UP.

Windows: 30 years and still going wrong. Also Woid.

 

[yarlq]

Word 2008 can easily save documents in the older .doc format, and you
should send your associates files in that format for compatibility.

Word has trouble saving for a rainy day let alone a file.

It can open a .doc and then it goes stupid.

$400 for a useless ribbon designed by idiots.

Windows: 30 years and still going wrong.

Linux: Coming on strong ... with NO crashes. And Open Office is FREE.