File Formats in Word 2007
Microsoft Word 2007 is capable of working with documents in three file formats. The native format uses the file extension ".docx". Files saved in this format can use the full range of features found in Word 2007, with the exception of macros. Any Word 2007 document which contains macros must be saved in a separate file format using the file extension ".docm".
In addition to these two native formats, Word 2007 is also capable of both opening and creating documents using the ".doc" file extension, the file extension found in previous versions of Word. Word 2007 files saved with this file extension will not have access to the full range of features found with in Word 2007. Features which have been introduced in 2007, such as Themes, will not be available in documents saved with the file extension ".doc".
When you save a Word 2007 document for the first-time, these three options are available in a drop-down menu labelled "Save As Type". Unless you specify otherwise, the new file will be saved with the file extension ".docx". However, if you find yourself exchanging documents with a person using an older version of Word, you can save the document using the file extension ".doc", which is backward compatible.
what about the ".docm" format? Well, when you open a document containing a macro, by default, Word displays a security warning notifying you that macros have been disabled. If you want to, you can then click on Options and enable the content.
Whenever you open a file created in a previous version of Microsoft Word, Word 2007 doesn't automatically convert the file to its new format. For convenience, it leaves it in the ".doc" format and goes into a special working mode called "Compatibility Mode". (It even displays the words "Compatibility Mode" in brackets next to the document title.)
While the file is in compatibility mode, you can still continue working on it. You can make changes to the document and you can save those changes. The file will remain in the old format and remain in compatibility mode. However, certain features, such as Themes, will not be available when working in compatibility mode. If you position the mouse over the Themes area of the Page Layout Tab, a tool tip appears saying "This document has been opened in compatibility mode. To use this feature convert your document to a new file format. Click on the Office button and then click convert." If you follow this advice "Compatibility Mode" disappears from the title bar and when we save the file Word changes the file extension and the document will then have been fully converted to the Word 2007 format.
If you find yourself in an environment where both Word 2007 and older versions are in use, Microsoft has provided another solution. It is possible to install an update called the Office Compatibility Pack. This makes it possible for older versions of all the Microsoft Office packages to open the new file formats.
In addition to these two native formats, Word 2007 is also capable of both opening and creating documents using the ".doc" file extension, the file extension found in previous versions of Word. Word 2007 files saved with this file extension will not have access to the full range of features found with in Word 2007. Features which have been introduced in 2007, such as Themes, will not be available in documents saved with the file extension ".doc".
When you save a Word 2007 document for the first-time, these three options are available in a drop-down menu labelled "Save As Type". Unless you specify otherwise, the new file will be saved with the file extension ".docx". However, if you find yourself exchanging documents with a person using an older version of Word, you can save the document using the file extension ".doc", which is backward compatible.
what about the ".docm" format? Well, when you open a document containing a macro, by default, Word displays a security warning notifying you that macros have been disabled. If you want to, you can then click on Options and enable the content.
Whenever you open a file created in a previous version of Microsoft Word, Word 2007 doesn't automatically convert the file to its new format. For convenience, it leaves it in the ".doc" format and goes into a special working mode called "Compatibility Mode". (It even displays the words "Compatibility Mode" in brackets next to the document title.)
While the file is in compatibility mode, you can still continue working on it. You can make changes to the document and you can save those changes. The file will remain in the old format and remain in compatibility mode. However, certain features, such as Themes, will not be available when working in compatibility mode. If you position the mouse over the Themes area of the Page Layout Tab, a tool tip appears saying "This document has been opened in compatibility mode. To use this feature convert your document to a new file format. Click on the Office button and then click convert." If you follow this advice "Compatibility Mode" disappears from the title bar and when we save the file Word changes the file extension and the document will then have been fully converted to the Word 2007 format.
If you find yourself in an environment where both Word 2007 and older versions are in use, Microsoft has provided another solution. It is possible to install an update called the Office Compatibility Pack. This makes it possible for older versions of all the Microsoft Office packages to open the new file formats.
About the Author:
The The writer of this article is a trainer and developer with OnSiteTrainingCourses.Coms, an independent computer training company offering Microsoft Word Classes in London and throughout the UK.