word files pc to mac

[1Dave]

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

I have a lot of old files and folders created in Word 2000 on my PC, which just crashed. I have backup on an external hard drive, on another old PC with Word 2000, and online (Carbonite). I am switching to a Mac with Word 2008. I'm worried about compatibility issues in moving files (in either direction but especially onto the Mac). Any info would be much appreiciated.

 

[Bates]

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

I have a lot of old files and folders created in Word 2000 on my PC, which just crashed. I have backup on an external hard drive, on another old PC with Word 2000, and online (Carbonite). I am switching to a Mac with Word 2008. I'm worried about compatibility issues in moving files (in either direction but especially onto the Mac). Any info would be much appreiciated.

Hi There,

No worries. Word 2000 will import just fine into either Word 2004 or
Word 2008 on the Mac. As for going the other way if you have Word
2004 no worries again. If you have Word 2008 - you can transfer the
files from your Mac to a PC as long as the PC has Word 2007. If you
want to ensure compatibility, Word 2008 has the option of saving in
the older Word format that will work on any version from 98-2008 I
belive.

Neil

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Dave -

All versions of Word 97-2004 - PC & Mac - use the same file format which is
supported in 2007/08. The 2007/08 versions not only can open the previous
format (in what is called [Compatibility Mode]) but also can write back to
those files & create new files in that format. So - in general - you should
have no problem accessing the Word 2000 files.

That doesn't mean there aren't some potential considerations, especially
with regard to fonts that may have been used in the older docs, as well as
other variables. For example, differences in printers may also be a factor
and if any of those files contain macros they will not be useable in 2008.
Except for the lack of support for VBA, however, it shouldn't be more of a
problem than having to adjust the formatting in some of the older docs.

The down side of continuing to use the older files in Compatibility Mode is
that there are certain features of 2007/08 which can't be used because .doc
format doesn't support them. However, the older files can be resaved in
..docx format in order to use those features in the new copies of the files.
Additionally, updates to Office 2000-2004 have provided those versions with
converters which enable them to read the 2007/08 .docx files.

It's not pragmatic to suggest any iron-clad guarantees but as noted above
the bumps should be minimal & reconcilable. If you have any specific issues
you should be able to get them resolved with few exceptions & there are a
number of users in the news group willing to provide help if you need it.

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