Word 2007 Document Format

[neil154]

I am using Word 2007 and received a file in the word 2003-2007 format and it
was 2.4 meg. I opened the file and saved it in 2007 format (.docx) and the
file size shrunk to 240k. I then opened the .docx file and saved it again in
..docx format but maintained 2003-2007 compatibility. This new file was again
2.4 meg.

What is the difference between the .doc file (2003 -2007 format) and the
..docx format with 2003-2007 compatibility? Also, am I losing anything by
storing in .docx format - the difference in file size is so large that it
brings that question to mind.

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject

 

[grammatim]

..docx is a kind of zip file. Neat, eh?

 

[neil154]

Okay, so what is the difference between the normal .docx format and the .docx
format with compatibility with 2003 - 2007. Is the compatible format the
exact same as .doc but with a .docx extention?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I think you're confused. The .docx extension is used for the Word 2007 file
format. If you save in Word 97-2003 format, the document will have a .doc
extension.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[neil154]

The .docx extention is for Word 2007 but when you save in this format there
is a check box if you want to "maintain cpmpatibility with Word 2003 -2007".
If you check the box it save in a .docx format NOT .doc format.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I don't see any such check box. Where are you seeing it? And is this on an
initial save (Save As) or when you are using Save As for an existing
document or what?

What I do see is Office Button | Save As | Word 97-2003 Document, which
states: "Save a copy of the document that is fully compatible with Word
97-2003." If I just click Save a document (even in Compatibility Mode), I
don't get any prompts about format.

Or perhaps you are opening a Word 2007 document in Word 2003?

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[neil154]

If open a .doc file and then "save as" "word document" you will see the
compatibility check box.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Ah, right you are. I have no idea what sort of document this is, though.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org