How to convert Word doc with graphics from Word 2003 back to Word.

[Guest]

Having difficulty converting a document created in Word 2003 and containing
graphics, back to Word 2000.

Would appreciate any comments.

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi =?Utf-8?B?cm9kamI=?=,

Having difficulty converting a document created in Word 2003 and containing
graphics, back to Word 2000.

Could you please describe in more detail the types of problems you're
experiencing?

The graphcis handling has been changed / expanded in every version of Word
since the mid-90's, so you could have some problems if you try to port newer
functionality backwards. For example, Word 2000 can't flow text around a
"floating" graphic positioned over a table cell.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 8 2004)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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[Guest]

Hi Cindy,
Thanks for your comments.
The documents are large documents created in Word 2003 containing graphics.
These documents have been sent to a client who has Word 2000. The client is
unable to open them using Word 2000.
If we save them in 2003 as an earlier version of word the file size
increases 10 fold.
If we take all the diagrams and graphics out of the document the client is
still unable to open the document using Word 2000.
Would appreciate your comments.
Regards,
Rod

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi =?Utf-8?B?Um9kSkI=?=,

The documents are large documents created in Word 2003 containing graphics.
These documents have been sent to a client who has Word 2000. The client is
unable to open them using Word 2000.
If we save them in 2003 as an earlier version of word the file size
increases 10 fold.

Actually, Word 97 through 2003 use the same file format. If you "save to an
earlier version", you're probably saving as RTF, which is very verbose (=
large file size).

But you don't say whether the client is able to open files saved in this
format?

If we take all the diagrams and graphics out of the document the client is
still unable to open the document using Word 2000.

Hmmm. You may need to do some testing with the client's co-operation to track
down exactly where the problem is. Here are some thoughts:

1. It could be at the client's end. If his system has a not-so-perfect
Normal.dot template, that could be interfering. Ask him to rename any and all
copies of Normal.dot on a machine, then start Word. He should save the
attached Word document to disk, and use the File/Open command in Word to
access it. Any change?

2. The documents may be damaged during transmission. You can protect Word
documents by zipping them and sending them in this compressed format. Worth a
try

3. It's possible that the document itself is damaged. Try saving as an XML
file, close, re-open, then save again as a Word document. See if the client
can open the result.

4. See if the client can open the document if you save as a web page and send
that. (The file size will grow, and the graphics (and perhaps other things)
should be exported to separate files in subfolders. You'd need to send the
entire folder grouping.)

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 8 2004)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Guest]

Thanks Cindy,
I will try your suggestions.
Regards,
Rod

 

[Guest]

Hi Cindy,
Thanks very much for your advice.
Saving to XML format then re-saving in Word format has solved the problem.
Not sure why - but it works!!
We will 'cleanse' all our templates through XML and that should solve future
problems.
Again, thanks very much for your help.
Regards,
Rod