Office 2007: How to save a file that will be compatible with older versions

As you may be aware, Microsoft Office 2007 files are a little bit different to their older siblings.
The easiest way to distinguish the new files are in the extensions. For example a file written in Word 2003 would look something mypaper.doc, while a file written in the Word 2007 would look like this mypaper.docx, Microsoft has added an X to the extensions.

This means, unless you the Compatibility Pack, you will not be able to open Office 2007 documents in Office 2003.

The Library now has a few computers running Office 2007, with this in mind here is a way that files can be saved that will be compatible with the older version.


1. Click on the Office button, located on the top left-hand side of the application. This is similar to the File Menu in older versions of Office.

2. Then go to Save As

3. Choose Word 97 - 2003 Document from the choices listed. This will allow you to save the document as a .doc file as opposed to a .docx file.



A document saved this way can be opened in older versions of Office without the need of any Compatibility Packs.

Printing Problems

Sometimes printing from the web can be a bit of a kerfuffle, so here are some tips to help you and in tern help others.

- Pressing the CTRL & P together will bring up the print window. Use this to print when no print button is available.

- When printing from a web page always do a Print Preview first, this will let you see what will be printed. Use this to make sure that it will not print junk and thus waste paper and print credit.

- If a patron cannot print, but has sufficient print credit, check the printer settings to see what it's printing to. All of the computers are set to print to the closest printer, but sometimes the computer goes mad and tries to print to something else.