Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
In Word 2007, I have configured my default save format to "Word 97 – 2003
Document (*.doc)” . However, I cannot get newly created documents to
'kick-in' to [Compatibility Mode] unless I save the file once.
The other Office 2007 applications (Excel & PowerPoint) automatically
kick-in to compatibility mode if you've got the default save/as set to the
97-2003 formats, and you start a new workbook or presentation.
RE: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
I tried and it seems very willing to save my documents in the format you have
stated. I assume you have set the option under the Word Options? After that
close word start again and you should be ready to go.
--
Maurice Ausum
"funnybroad" wrote:
> In Word 2007, I have configured my default save format to "Word 97 – 2003
> Document (*.doc)” . However, I cannot get newly created documents to
> 'kick-in' to [Compatibility Mode] unless I save the file once.
>
> The other Office 2007 applications (Excel & PowerPoint) automatically
> kick-in to compatibility mode if you've got the default save/as set to the
> 97-2003 formats, and you start a new workbook or presentation.
>
> Is this a bug? If so, when will it be fixed?
RE: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
Thanks for your response, but I tried that.
I think something is wrong with my installation. I can set my default save
format in Word Options to the 97-2003 format over and over, but no matter
what I do, newly created files still default to the new format. They
"switch" to compatibility mode only after I save them the first time. And
the default save format does come up as 97-2003 format.
"Maurice" wrote:
> I tried and it seems very willing to save my documents in the format you have
> stated. I assume you have set the option under the Word Options? After that
> close word start again and you should be ready to go.
>
> --
> Maurice Ausum
>
>
> "funnybroad" wrote:
>
> > In Word 2007, I have configured my default save format to "Word 97 – 2003
> > Document (*.doc)” . However, I cannot get newly created documents to
> > 'kick-in' to [Compatibility Mode] unless I save the file once.
> >
> > The other Office 2007 applications (Excel & PowerPoint) automatically
> > kick-in to compatibility mode if you've got the default save/as set to the
> > 97-2003 formats, and you start a new workbook or presentation.
> >
> > Is this a bug? If so, when will it be fixed?
RE: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
Update:
I have installed Office 2007 (purchased through my company's home purchase
program) on my home computer.
I am observing the same thing, so I don't think the problem is with our
installation at work.
According to the Office 2007 Resource Kit, if you've got your default
save/as format configured to be the 97-2003 formats, when you start a new
document, it should automatically start in Compatibility Mode.... you
shouldn't have to save it in the legacy format first.
"funnybroad" wrote:
> Thanks for your response, but I tried that.
>
> I think something is wrong with my installation. I can set my default save
> format in Word Options to the 97-2003 format over and over, but no matter
> what I do, newly created files still default to the new format. They
> "switch" to compatibility mode only after I save them the first time. And
> the default save format does come up as 97-2003 format.
>
> "Maurice" wrote:
>
> > I tried and it seems very willing to save my documents in the format you have
> > stated. I assume you have set the option under the Word Options? After that
> > close word start again and you should be ready to go.
> >
> > --
> > Maurice Ausum
> >
> >
> > "funnybroad" wrote:
> >
> > > In Word 2007, I have configured my default save format to "Word 97 – 2003
> > > Document (*.doc)” . However, I cannot get newly created documents to
> > > 'kick-in' to [Compatibility Mode] unless I save the file once.
> > >
> > > The other Office 2007 applications (Excel & PowerPoint) automatically
> > > kick-in to compatibility mode if you've got the default save/as set to the
> > > 97-2003 formats, and you start a new workbook or presentation.
> > >
> > > Is this a bug? If so, when will it be fixed?
Re: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
When you click on the SmartArt icon, do you get the new SmartArt stuff
or the old org chart thing? If you get the org chart thing, then you are
in Compatibility Mode and it just doesn't show it until you save it
once.
"funnybroad" <funnybroad@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:00CE5095-DC2C-4E9E-8EDB-2D2D0BD273AC@microsoft.com:
> In Word 2007, I have configured my default save format to "Word 97 - 2003
> Document (*.doc)" . However, I cannot get newly created documents to
> 'kick-in' to [Compatibility Mode] unless I save the file once.
>
> The other Office 2007 applications (Excel & PowerPoint) automatically
> kick-in to compatibility mode if you've got the default save/as set to the
> 97-2003 formats, and you start a new workbook or presentation.
>
> Is this a bug? If so, when will it be fixed?
Re: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
Thanks for responding.
That is a really good question, and the technical lead on our Office 2007
Deployment Project team asked the same thing. But unfortunately, that's not
the case. I can indeed use all "new features", such as Themes, SmartArt (the
new stuff comes up), etc...
Can you do me a favor, and try it on your installation of Word 2007? I
posted this over on Tek-Tips, and someone there reported the same behavior,
although he said he didn't think it's a "bug". What's your opinion? I think
if an application doesn't behave as described in the resource kit, it's a
bug.
It may sound like I'm making a big deal over a small thing (all I have to do
is save it once... so what's the problem?)
The problem is that we've got to roll this out to 20,000+ workstations, and
due to new file format incompatibilities with some of the applications we
run, we are going to have to stay with the legacy file formats until those
applications can catch up next year. I'd rather fix this behavior with Word
2007, rather than try to get 20,000+ users to remember to always save their
newly created document before they start to edit it, so that they don't
inadvertently use a new feature that isn't 100% feature-refresh.
"Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:
> When you click on the SmartArt icon, do you get the new SmartArt stuff
> or the old org chart thing? If you get the org chart thing, then you are
> in Compatibility Mode and it just doesn't show it until you save it
> once.
>
> Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
Re: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
I can affirm that I'm seeing exactly what you see, and I agree that it's a
bug. Getting Microsoft to agree that it's a bug, however, might be a little
more difficult.
The only work-around I'm aware of is to immediately save a new document --
thereby naming it -- which then forces it into compatibility mode.
Note. There actually are TWO Word 97-2003 options, and only one of them (the
one that reads: "Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc)" actually works to give you a
compatibility mode document when saved. The 2nd one (which doesn't result in
a compatibility mode document) is "Word 97-2003 & 6.0/95 - RTF (*.doc)". The
latter document type willingly accepts SmartArt, so I'm guessing that .rtf
has been updated. Why is says "97-2003" instead of "97-2007" however, is
beyond me.
"funnybroad" <funnybroad@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:15054758-7C50-4507-A1C8-D35092855CFA@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for responding.
>
> That is a really good question, and the technical lead on our Office 2007
> Deployment Project team asked the same thing. But unfortunately, that's
> not
> the case. I can indeed use all "new features", such as Themes, SmartArt
> (the
> new stuff comes up), etc...
>
> Can you do me a favor, and try it on your installation of Word 2007? I
> posted this over on Tek-Tips, and someone there reported the same
> behavior,
> although he said he didn't think it's a "bug". What's your opinion? I
> think
> if an application doesn't behave as described in the resource kit, it's a
> bug.
>
> It may sound like I'm making a big deal over a small thing (all I have to
> do
> is save it once... so what's the problem?)
>
> The problem is that we've got to roll this out to 20,000+ workstations,
> and
> due to new file format incompatibilities with some of the applications we
> run, we are going to have to stay with the legacy file formats until those
> applications can catch up next year. I'd rather fix this behavior with
> Word
> 2007, rather than try to get 20,000+ users to remember to always save
> their
> newly created document before they start to edit it, so that they don't
> inadvertently use a new feature that isn't 100% feature-refresh.
>
> "Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> When you click on the SmartArt icon, do you get the new SmartArt stuff
>> or the old org chart thing? If you get the org chart thing, then you are
>> in Compatibility Mode and it just doesn't show it until you save it
>> once.
>>
>> Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
>
"Herb Tyson [MVP]" <herb@1x2y3z.xnw> wrote in message
news:99B52961-5255-4163-BC38-EA9D32915D1D@microsoft.com:
> I can affirm that I'm seeing exactly what you see, and I agree that it's a
> bug. Getting Microsoft to agree that it's a bug, however, might be a little
> more difficult.
>
> The only work-around I'm aware of is to immediately save a new document --
> thereby naming it -- which then forces it into compatibility mode.
>
> Note. There actually are TWO Word 97-2003 options, and only one of them (the
> one that reads: "Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc)" actually works to give you a
> compatibility mode document when saved. The 2nd one (which doesn't result in
> a compatibility mode document) is "Word 97-2003 & 6.0/95 - RTF (*.doc)". The
> latter document type willingly accepts SmartArt, so I'm guessing that .rtf
> has been updated. Why is says "97-2003" instead of "97-2007" however, is
> beyond me.
>
> --
> Herb Tyson MS MVP
> Author of the Word 2007 Bible
> Blog: http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
> Web: http://www.herbtyson.com
>
>
> "funnybroad" <funnybroad@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:15054758-7C50-4507-A1C8-D35092855CFA@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks for responding.
> >
> > That is a really good question, and the technical lead on our Office 2007
> > Deployment Project team asked the same thing. But unfortunately, that's
> > not
> > the case. I can indeed use all "new features", such as Themes, SmartArt
> > (the
> > new stuff comes up), etc...
> >
> > Can you do me a favor, and try it on your installation of Word 2007? I
> > posted this over on Tek-Tips, and someone there reported the same
> > behavior,
> > although he said he didn't think it's a "bug". What's your opinion? I
> > think
> > if an application doesn't behave as described in the resource kit, it's a
> > bug.
> >
> > It may sound like I'm making a big deal over a small thing (all I have to
> > do
> > is save it once... so what's the problem?)
> >
> > The problem is that we've got to roll this out to 20,000+ workstations,
> > and
> > due to new file format incompatibilities with some of the applications we
> > run, we are going to have to stay with the legacy file formats until those
> > applications can catch up next year. I'd rather fix this behavior with
> > Word
> > 2007, rather than try to get 20,000+ users to remember to always save
> > their
> > newly created document before they start to edit it, so that they don't
> > inadvertently use a new feature that isn't 100% feature-refresh.
> >
> > "Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> When you click on the SmartArt icon, do you get the new SmartArt stuff
> >> or the old org chart thing? If you get the org chart thing, then you are
> >> in Compatibility Mode and it just doesn't show it until you save it
> >> once.
> >>
> >> Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
> >
Re: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
Thanks very VERY much for trying that out for me. Believe it or not, you
just made my job a lot easier!
"Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:
> I gave it a try here too, and I see the same behavior. It does look like
> a bug.
>
> Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
> --------------
> http://pschmid.net
> ***
> Outlook 2007 Performance Update: http://pschmid.net/blog/2007/04/13/105
> Office 2007 RTM Issues: http://pschmid.net/blog/2006/11/13/80
> ***
> Customize Office 2007: http://pschmid.net/office2007/customize
> RibbonCustomizer Add-In: http://ribboncustomizer.com
> OneNote 2007: http://pschmid.net/office2007/onenote
> ***
> Subscribe to my Office 2007 blog: http://pschmid.net/blog/feed
>
>
>
>
> "Herb Tyson [MVP]" <herb@1x2y3z.xnw> wrote in message
> news:99B52961-5255-4163-BC38-EA9D32915D1D@microsoft.com:
>
> > I can affirm that I'm seeing exactly what you see, and I agree that it's a
> > bug. Getting Microsoft to agree that it's a bug, however, might be a little
> > more difficult.
> >
> > The only work-around I'm aware of is to immediately save a new document --
> > thereby naming it -- which then forces it into compatibility mode.
> >
> > Note. There actually are TWO Word 97-2003 options, and only one of them (the
> > one that reads: "Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc)" actually works to give you a
> > compatibility mode document when saved. The 2nd one (which doesn't result in
> > a compatibility mode document) is "Word 97-2003 & 6.0/95 - RTF (*.doc)". The
> > latter document type willingly accepts SmartArt, so I'm guessing that .rtf
> > has been updated. Why is says "97-2003" instead of "97-2007" however, is
> > beyond me.
> >
> > --
> > Herb Tyson MS MVP
> > Author of the Word 2007 Bible
> > Blog: http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
> > Web: http://www.herbtyson.com
> >
> >
> > "funnybroad" <funnybroad@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:15054758-7C50-4507-A1C8-D35092855CFA@microsoft.com...
> > > Thanks for responding.
> > >
> > > That is a really good question, and the technical lead on our Office 2007
> > > Deployment Project team asked the same thing. But unfortunately, that's
> > > not
> > > the case. I can indeed use all "new features", such as Themes, SmartArt
> > > (the
> > > new stuff comes up), etc...
> > >
> > > Can you do me a favor, and try it on your installation of Word 2007? I
> > > posted this over on Tek-Tips, and someone there reported the same
> > > behavior,
> > > although he said he didn't think it's a "bug". What's your opinion? I
> > > think
> > > if an application doesn't behave as described in the resource kit, it's a
> > > bug.
> > >
> > > It may sound like I'm making a big deal over a small thing (all I have to
> > > do
> > > is save it once... so what's the problem?)
> > >
> > > The problem is that we've got to roll this out to 20,000+ workstations,
> > > and
> > > due to new file format incompatibilities with some of the applications we
> > > run, we are going to have to stay with the legacy file formats until those
> > > applications can catch up next year. I'd rather fix this behavior with
> > > Word
> > > 2007, rather than try to get 20,000+ users to remember to always save
> > > their
> > > newly created document before they start to edit it, so that they don't
> > > inadvertently use a new feature that isn't 100% feature-refresh.
> > >
> > > "Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:
> > >
> > >> When you click on the SmartArt icon, do you get the new SmartArt stuff
> > >> or the old org chart thing? If you get the org chart thing, then you are
> > >> in Compatibility Mode and it just doesn't show it until you save it
> > >> once.
> > >>
> > >> Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
> > >
>
>
Re: Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs
Thanks Herb! Not only did you confirm it for me (thank you very much), but
you agreed it was a bug. Yea! Just for that, I'm picking up your book
tomorrow at Barnes & Noble...
I'll be sure to let you know if/when I hear back from anyone in the
highly-fortified and guarded Office 2007 Team bunker.
I'm not holding my breath, though.
"Herb Tyson [MVP]" wrote:
> I can affirm that I'm seeing exactly what you see, and I agree that it's a
> bug. Getting Microsoft to agree that it's a bug, however, might be a little
> more difficult.
>
> The only work-around I'm aware of is to immediately save a new document --
> thereby naming it -- which then forces it into compatibility mode.
>
> Note. There actually are TWO Word 97-2003 options, and only one of them (the
> one that reads: "Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc)" actually works to give you a
> compatibility mode document when saved. The 2nd one (which doesn't result in
> a compatibility mode document) is "Word 97-2003 & 6.0/95 - RTF (*.doc)". The
> latter document type willingly accepts SmartArt, so I'm guessing that .rtf
> has been updated. Why is says "97-2003" instead of "97-2007" however, is
> beyond me.
>
> --
> Herb Tyson MS MVP
> Author of the Word 2007 Bible
> Blog: http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
> Web: http://www.herbtyson.com
>
>
> "funnybroad" <funnybroad@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:15054758-7C50-4507-A1C8-D35092855CFA@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks for responding.
> >
> > That is a really good question, and the technical lead on our Office 2007
> > Deployment Project team asked the same thing. But unfortunately, that's
> > not
> > the case. I can indeed use all "new features", such as Themes, SmartArt
> > (the
> > new stuff comes up), etc...
> >
> > Can you do me a favor, and try it on your installation of Word 2007? I
> > posted this over on Tek-Tips, and someone there reported the same
> > behavior,
> > although he said he didn't think it's a "bug". What's your opinion? I
> > think
> > if an application doesn't behave as described in the resource kit, it's a
> > bug.
> >
> > It may sound like I'm making a big deal over a small thing (all I have to
> > do
> > is save it once... so what's the problem?)
> >
> > The problem is that we've got to roll this out to 20,000+ workstations,
> > and
> > due to new file format incompatibilities with some of the applications we
> > run, we are going to have to stay with the legacy file formats until those
> > applications can catch up next year. I'd rather fix this behavior with
> > Word
> > 2007, rather than try to get 20,000+ users to remember to always save
> > their
> > newly created document before they start to edit it, so that they don't
> > inadvertently use a new feature that isn't 100% feature-refresh.
> >
> > "Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> When you click on the SmartArt icon, do you get the new SmartArt stuff
> >> or the old org chart thing? If you get the org chart thing, then you are
> >> in Compatibility Mode and it just doesn't show it until you save it
> >> once.
> >>
> >> Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
> >
>
Word 2007: How to Force Compatibility Mode for New Docs 
Linear Mode
