File extensions like .doc (for Word), .xls (for Excel) and .ppt (for Powerpoint) were used in earlier versions of Microsoft Office (Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003). But Microsoft Office 2007 comes with new file extensions like .docx (for Word), .xlsx (for Excel) and .pptx (for Powerpoint). By default these file extensions are not backward compatible with earlier Office versions.
Moving forward you are more likely to get Office files in the new format as they offer higher degree of formatting and options. For example, Excel 2007 can store upto 1 million rows and 16 thousand columns in a spreadsheet and Office also supports 16 million colors now.
With Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack, you can can view, edit and save files in these new Office formats in earlier Microsoft Office versions (Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003).
Download Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
Note: This compatibility pack is installed as a separate program so that it can be uninstalled alone at any point of time. In case you are planning to install Office 2007 at a later point of time, make sure you uninstall ‘Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office System‘ from the system through ‘Add or Remove Programs‘ before installing Office 2007.
The Microsoft Compatibility pack rocks. It allows to take advantage of the pros of Office 2007, while still being able to use the easier-to-use and straightforward Office 2003 applications.
It is a great tool man . Have been using it for a month now .
Hi,
Can we install Microsoft compatibility checker on a machine which has office 2003 to check compatibility issues with earlier versions such as 2002 or 2000 excel 97?
Please do reply.
Thanks,
Ravi Kiran.D