For a non technical user, saving files is like “File -> Save” and frankly that’s the way it should be.
Since MS office was launched, there was not much of a format change in the way how office used to save data, resulting a default file format compatibility between all versions of Office (98 / 2000 / XP / 2003).
The default extension for saving a file in MS office (98 / 2k / XP / 2k3) is like,
- .doc for office word
- .xls for office excel
- .ppt for office power point
However, since Office 2007 (and for Office 2010 also) is introduced, a new file format has followed it.
- .docx for office word (2007 / 2010)
- .xlsx for office excel (2007 / 2010)
- .pptx for office power point (2007 / 2010)
In Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010, the default save format is the new, above mentioned file extensions.
Off late, lot of business and home users are facing a common problem. Their contact and business associate may be using a PC running and new version of MS Office (2007 or 2010) where as they are still with the older generation.
So how do you open a file (.docx / .xlsx / .pptx) saved in Microsoft Office (Word / Excel / Power Point) 2010 or 2007 in older version of MS Office (2000 / XP / 2003) ?
To solve this incompatibility issue, Microsoft is offering a free compatibility pack for Microsoft Office 2000, XP and 2003.
One may download the Office 2010 / 2007 compatibility pack for free and install in a PC running any of these following version of Microsoft Office.
- Microsoft Office 2000
- Microsoft Office XP
- Microsoft Office 2003
Download the Compatibility Pack
It is also advisable that one should install the latest updates for the office suite they have.
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