Microsoft Office 2007 uses a XML based format and extensions for new documents, spredsheets, workbooks and presentations created by Word 2007, Excel 2007 and Presenations 2007. These new file formats, docx, xclx, pptx. are not backawards compatibile with older versions of Office. This means that older versions of Office (Office 2003, Office XP and Office 2000) cannot open and read files using the XML format.

Office 2007 has the option of saving files in a format that will allow earlier versions of Office to open, read and edit files. To do so, a user will need to

1. Click on the Office 2007 button.
2. Select the “ Save As” option
3. Select "Word 97-2003" option. (Note-You will follow the same procedures when using Excel and Power Point).