If you turn off Word 2007 features at the time a document is initially
created by saving the document as a Word 97-2003 (.doc) you shouldn't have
too many problems.
But if you save it as a .docx or .docm, then open and edit it using the
compatibility pack in Word 2003 and finally open and edit it again in 2007,
you're going to have a lot of rude surprises; the following list re what
happens to 2007 elements when opened in prior versions is from Microsoft
(most are related to XML capabilities added to 2007 that are not supported in
earlier versions):
Equations Become graphics and cannot be changed.
Themes Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in
Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using themes.
Theme colors Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in
Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using theme
colors.
Theme fonts Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in
Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using theme
fonts.
Theme effects Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened
in Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using theme
effects.
Content controls Permanently converted to static text.
Tracked moves Permanently converted to insertions and deletions.
Heading and body fonts Permanently converted to static formatting. If the
file is later opened in Office Word 2007, heading and body fonts won't
automatically change if you use a different style.
Relative text boxes Permanently converted to absolute positioning.
Margins Permanently converted to absolute positioning. If the file is later
opened in Office Word 2007, the margins won't automatically change if you use
a different style.
Bibliography Permanently converted to static text.
Citations Permanently converted to static text.
Placeholder text in citations Permanently converted to static text.
Placeholder text in content controls Permanently converted to static text.
Office Art Only a small subset of illustrations are available.
Charts and diagrams Some charts and diagrams will be converted to images
that cannot be changed.
Custom XML (Extensible Markup Language (XML): A condensed form of Standard
Generalized Markup Language (SGML) that enables developers to create
customized tags that offer flexibility in organizing and presenting
information.) Not supported.
Macros and macro signatures will be removed.
Mail merge data will be lost and you will not be able to connect to data
sources.
You will not be able to open password-protected files, even if you know the
password
