Each new version of Word brings us new features that were not available in older versions. Starting from office 2007, files are saved in docx format, older versions of Word (before 2007 release) cannot work with this format. But what if you need to give this file to someone using an older version of Office?

Save file in new version of Word in old doc format

Open the document you want to convert to the new format and from the top left side click on “File”.

On the left side, click on “Save As” and select the location where you want to save the file. You can choose either “recent folders”, that is, the location where your documents have been saved recently, or you can click on the “Browse” button and select a new location on your computer to store the file.

Select a storage location => in the “file type” field – select “Word 97-2003 Document”. You can change the file name (if desired) => click on “Save”.

In the “Microsoft Word Compatibility Checker” click on “Continue”.

If you do not want this window to be displayed every time you save in the old format, uncheck the “Check compatibility when saving documents” checkbox.

The resulting document with the doc extension can also be opened in older versions of Office.

If they sent you a file in docx format and remake it according to the instructions above, they do not have time, but you have Word 2003 and when you open this format, it writes an error:

1. Open the link on the Microsoft site => select your language and click on “Download”.

2. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install it.

By this action, you have installed the compatibility pack for older versions of Word, now even if you have Word 2003 – you can open files of newer offices with the docx extension.

That’s all for today, if you know other ways – write in the comments! Good luck ?