(Fortunately, the compatibility issue doesnât go both ways: Word 2007 can open old. To download the free compatibility pack, go to and type office 2007 compatibility into the search box at the top of the page.Īlso, if youâre preparing a Word document for someone whoâs using an older Word version, then you have to save it in a compatible format, as described in the tip in Section 1.2.2. Even then, you may not be able to use or edit parts of the file that use new Word features (like themes, equations, and content controls). This software fix gives pre-2007 versions of Word the power to open documents in the new formats. To open Word 2007 files with an older version (even Word 2003), you need to install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack. The downside of the new file formats is that older versions of Word donât know how to open these. When opening one of these files, play it safe: If you donât know who created the. docm format indicates that a document contains macros or other bits of programming code. docx format, the new standard for Word files, doesnât permit macros, making it safe from those threats. Malicious programmers were using Officeâs macros to do nasty things to unsuspecting computers. With Office 2007, Microsoft took the drastic step of changing its file formats in hopes of improving your computerâs security. POWER USERSâ CLINIC: Wordâs New File Formats. (Still, itâs best to save it with a new descriptive name right away.) This way, when you save the file, you donât overwrite the original document. Once open, the fileâs name is something like Document2.docx instead of the original name. Instead of the usual Open button at the bottom of the box, the button in the New from Existing Document box reads Create Newâyour clue that this box behaves differently in one important respect: Instead of opening an existing file, youâre making a copy of an existing file. This trick works in all Open File boxes.) (Alternatively, just double-click the fileâs icon to open it. Double-click folder icons in the large window to open them and see their contents.Ĭlick to select the file, and then click Create New (in the lower-right corner). Word starts you in your My Documents folder, but you can switch to your desktop or your My Computer icon by clicking the icons on the left. You can use the bar on the left to change the folder view. On your computer, find the existing document youâre using for a model. It lets you navigate to a specific folder and open a file. This box looksâand worksâlike a standard Windows Open File box. And sure enough, when you click âNew from existingâ¦â, it opens another box, appropriately titled New from Existing Document ( Figure 1-4). The three dots at the end of the buttonâs title tell you that thereâs another dialog box to come. Then click âNew from existingâ¦â (it sits directly below the âBlank documentâ button). All you do is fill in your text.Ĭhoose Office button â New (Alt+F, N) to open the New Document window.

Templates are a lot like formsâthe margins, formatting, and graphics are already in place. Use a template when you need a professional design for a complex document, like a newsletter, a contract, or meeting minutes. When you have a letter format that you like, you can use it over and over by editing the contents.Ĭreating a document from a template ( Section 1.2.3). For letters, resumes, and other documents that require more formatting, why reinvent the wheel? You can save time by using an existing document as a starting point ( Section 1.2.2). Or, when youâre just brainstorming and youâre not sure what you want the final document to look like, you probably want to start with a blank slate or use one of Wordâs templates (more on that in a moment) to provide structure for your text.Ĭreating a document from an existing document. When youâre preparing a simple documentâlike a two-page essay, a note for the babysitter, or a press releaseâa plain, unadorned page is fine.

Opening a new document