Office 2007 File Formats
From Provider Notes
This article discusses file format changes introduced by Microsoft Office 2007.
Contents |
Background
Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows, which was made generally available in January 2007, introduces a file format called Microsoft Office Open XML. These new XLM based file formats (Word -- .docx, Excel -- .xlsx, and PowerPoint -- .pptx) are not directly compatible with previous versions of Office, but compatibility options exist for both Windows and Mac OS Office users.
Windows Compatibility
Windows users with Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003 who keep up to date with the latest security patches offered from Windows/Office Update or Microsoft Update can install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack. Users will be able to view, edit, and re-save the file in the XML format (such as .docx). [1]
Mac OS Compatibility
According to the Microsoft Office for Mac Team Blog, a converter XML format solution for Office for Mac users is currently being developed. A beta converter for Word for Mac is available and final converters for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to be available approximately six to eight weeks after the release of the next version of Office for Mac (which itself will follow about eight months after the Windows Office 2007 version). The new version of Office for Mac (Office 2008) will natively read the new Open XML format.[2]
Recommendations & Best Practices
Since there will be a significant gap between the release of Windows Office 2007 and final converters for Office for Mac and since many Windows users may not have the compatibility pack, it is recommended that Office 2007 users, especially in a cross-platform environment, downsave to the Word/Excel/PowerPoint 97-2003 Document format for maximum compatibility--at least until the final Office for Mac converters are released. Mac OS users who need Excel 2007 conversion capability immediately can investigate using the beta version of DataViz MacLinkPlus 16
References
1. Microsoft Office Word development team. The Microsoft Office Word Team's Blog Retrieved 6 December 2006
2. Microsoft Office for Mac development team. The Office for Mac Team Blog Retrieved 6 December 2006
