File sharing

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Guest

Can problems occur with documents when they are shared over a network and
opened on computers that have different versions of Word? What types of
problems can occur?

Thank you.
 
Hi Pam

Word has used the same file structure since Word 97. So Word 97, 2000, 2002
and 2003 can all read and use the same documents. Word 95 and earlier
versions can't read documents created in Word 97 or later.

Problems will occur if the documents use functionality that didn't exist in
an older version of Word. For example, newer versions can use nested tables.
Word 97 can still read the file, but it won't be able to nest the tables.
You can avoid problems at Tools > Options > Save. Tick the box labelled
"Disable features introduced after" and choose the appropriate version of
Word. If there are "new" features in the document, you will get a warning
when you save.

I routinely send documents back and forth between Word 2003 and 2000 with no
significant problems. The only real problems I've had is with complex table
layouts, rotating text and complex backgrounds. But most documents survive
without any difficulty.

My experience is not, however, with Macs. So I'm cross-posting this message
to the Mac word group to see if the Mac people have additional information
for you.

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word
 
And again, same thing applies equally Mac versions Word 98, Word 2001, Word
2004. And Word X, which came between 2001 and 2004 and I forgot to mention
in the previous post.

This is probably the issue people complain about most.
 
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