Microsoft Office 2003/2007 FAQs
Information Technology has decided on a major change in software for new Windows computers purchased this summer, as well as cluster and classroom Windows computers. We have decided to install the newest version of Microsoft Office, Office 2007, which saves files in a different file format than earlier versions of Office. Most incoming students will have this software installed on their personal computers, as will most returning students, and some colleagues from other institutions and organizations with whom you may trade files. This means that the new version of Office affects all of us, not just those in line for new Windows computers this year. Please accept our apologies if this message is a little long, but here we will try to answer some common questions and try to alleviate some confusion.
How will I know if a file is saved in the new format?
How will the new file format affect me if I'm using an older version of Office on a Windows computer?
How will the new version of Office affect me if I am getting a new Windows computer?
What if I would like Office 2007 installed on my existing Windows computer?
How will the new file format affect me if I use a Mac?
How will this change affect me if I use Office in the technology classrooms to teach my class?
How will I know if a file is saved in the new format?
Files saved in the new format for Office will usually have an “x” at the end of the file extension. This means that if you receive a file with a .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx extension, it was created in Word 2007, Excel 2007, or PowerPoint 2007, respectively. If you receive an Access file with a file extension of .accdb, .accda, or .accde, then the file was created in Access 2007. If you receive an Office file and cannot see the file extension, but try to open it and get an error message like “This file was created by a newer version of Microsoft Word. (Excel, Access, PowerPoint) Do you want to download a compatibility pack so that you can work with this file?” then the file was saved in the new format.
How will the new file format affect me if I'm using an older version of Office on a Windows computer?
Microsoft has released a file converter that you can install on your Windows computer that will allow older versions of Office to read and edit files created in the new file format. Instructions on how to download and install the file converter for your office computer can be found at the following webpage: http://www.saintmarys.edu/~jsvete/office/ .
How will the new version of Office affect me if I am getting a new Windows computer?
When you receive your new computer, Office 2007 will be installed, but the software will be configured to save files in the old format by default. This means that if you open a new file, and then save it without changing the file type, the file will be able to be read and edited by computers that have an older version of Office installed. If you create a new file, you will also be able to save the file in the new file format if you wish. You will also be able to open and edit files created in older versions of Office, and you can continue to save those files in the older file format, or choose to save the files in the new file format. We do not recommend, however, to change a file from the new format and back again several times since file corruption would then be more likely to occur; choose which format works best for the file based on who needs to use it and which versions of Office will be accessing it, and stick to that format. We also recommend that faculty who are using the new Office to please save files that will be used with Blackboard in the older, three-letter extension file format for the time being.
What if I would like Office 2007 installed on my existing Windows computer?
Since there is a substantial increase in computer memory requirements between the new version of Office and older versions, we recommend against upgrading older, existing computers to Office 2007. If it is absolutely necessary that your computer be upgraded to Office 2007, you will need to have the memory upgraded on your older computer (MPC or Omnitech), and be prepared to pay for that memory upgrade out of your department's budget. Please contact the Information Technology Help Desk if you need more information.
How will the new file format affect me if I use a Mac?
Currently Microsoft is working on a converter for Office for the Mac, but that converter has not been released yet and will most likely not be released until toward the end of 2007. There are some options for Mac users to be able to read Word documents saved in the .docx format, but for other Office file types you will need to ask the sender to save the file in the older format and re-send the file. If you are a Mac user and need to read or edit a file created in Office 2007 for Windows, please contact the Information Technology Help Desk to discuss your options.
How will this change affect me if I use Office in the technology classrooms to teach my class?
If you are using Office in one of the technology classrooms, your files should open with no problems but be prepared for a different look to the software. We recommend that if you are planning on using a technology classroom to teach, please visit your classroom beforehand to familiarize yourself with the new software or to make sure your files work correctly. Then if you have any problems or questions, please contact the Help Desk for assistance.
Please feel free to contact the Information Technology Help Desk at x4715 or helpdesk@saintmarys.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
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