Office 2007 Compatiblity Issues

Microsoft Office 2007 introduces new file formats for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. These new formats are incompatible with all previous versions of these applications.

In order to share files with older Office versions, Office 2007 users must save their files in a format that is backwards compatible with the earlier versions. Instructions on how to save Office 2007 and pre-Office 2007 files in a compatible format can be found below.

Office 2007 Windows users

To make Office 2007 files compatible with previous Office versions, users can change the default option to save files in Compatibility mode.

The instructions for Word, Excel and PowerPoint are similar and as follows:

1. Click on the Office button found at the top left of the screen.
2. In the drop-down menu, at the bottom right, select the application options button (Word / Excel / PowerPoint Presentations).
3. Click on Save.
4. On the Options screen, from the pull-down menu next to Save files in this format, select the appropriate application (Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc), Excel 97-2003 Workbook (*.xls), PowerPoint Presentations 97-2003).

Your Office 2007 files will now be saved in Compatibility mode making them compatible with previous versions.

Pre-Office 2007 Windows users

Users of pre-Office 2007 Word, Excel and PowerPoint can download Microsoft Compatibility Pack which will allow them to open, edit and save files using the new 2007 file formats for Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

This helps ensure that users of Office 2007 can continue to work with third-party solutions based on earlier versions, and users of earlier versions of Office can work with their colleagues who have upgraded.

Support for Windows Vista and Office 2007

Planning for support of Office 2007 and Windows Vista is underway. The Information Systems Department continues to test and evaluate these programs for compatibility with the college's central applications and systems. Pending this extensive testing, we expect to begin providing support for the following versions and products:

• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Office 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook only)

(Please note there will be no support for other versions of Vista due to the unique and varied differences in each version.)

Because of possible major compatibility issues with critical core applications, campus-wide support of Windows Vista on faculty/staff computers has been deferred to January, 2009.

While we are testing (Vista Testing, Office 2007 Testing) and evaluating these products, our recommendation continues to be that no one installs them unless there is a pressing business or academic need to do so.

Rhodes State IS Vista Planning Team

• 4/12/2007 - Vista and Office 2007 being piloted in select computer labs
• 4/12/2007 - Because of major compatibility issues with mission-critical central and core applications, campus-wide support of Windows Vista on faculty/staff computers has been deferred to January 1, 2009.

What has been tested with Office 2007?

Important Note: For the time being, Information Systems is recommending that users not install Office 2007 on any individual office PC’s.

Testing results listed on this page are for Windows XP ONLY.

If your software is not on this list, please e-mail helpdesk@rhodesstate.edu.

Is training available?

Support and end-user training are being developed. Please return to this site for updates.

Not sure where to start?

• Office 2007 /Vista Software Testing Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make Office 2000/XP/2003 file formats compatible with Office 2007?

Microsoft offers the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats, which enables Microsoft Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003, users to able open, edit, and save files using the file formats new to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.

What software and systems have been tested with Windows Vista?

Important Note: For the time being, Information Systems is recommending that users not install Windows Vista on any individual office PC’s.

The table below shows the status of various applications and systems that have been tested with Windows Vista. Please click here for testing results on Office 2007.

If your software or system is not on this list, please e-mail helpdesk@rhodesstate.edu.

NOTE: Office 2003 has NOT been tested on Windows Vista.