Converting .docx files to .doc

We have many people who come into the computer center wanting to open a file that was created by Microsoft Word 2007. The new version of Microsoft Word came with a change in extension format. Before the 2007 Word the extension ended in .doc. With Microsoft Word 2007 it now ends in .docx. This creates a problem because we still use Microsoft Word 2002 which uses the old extension. So Microsoft Word 2002 can’t open a Word 2007 file. However, there are some things which can be done to correct this or override this problem.

First, if you have any version of Microsoft Office besides 2007, there is a compatibility pack that can be downloaded to your computer which will allow you to open a .docx file in a older version of Word. The website for that compatibility pack is Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats.

There is also a website called Zamzar which can convert files to different formats. It is a fairly easy tool to use. Basically you find the file you wish to convert and choose the format in which you want it in and then enter your email address. As soon as the conversion is complete, an email will be sent to you. Sometimes this only takes a few minutes but at other times it can take hours.

There are other programs available on the Internet that can be used to convert files. Just do a Google search for “file conversion” or something similiar and you should be able to find other resources which might prove to be helpful.

Microsoft Office Alternative

When purchasing both my desktop PC and laptop, I wasn’t given many options in regards to a word processing suite. If you wanted Microsoft Office there was an additional cost to have it added to the PC. With both my computers I was given Microsoft Works, which is basically a watered-down version of the Microsoft Office suite. To be honest with you, I am not that fond of Works. First of all, it doesn’t have all the features of Microsoft Office. Second, I don’t like the interface of Works. Third, sometimes it is not compatible to other programs.

Without going into debt, there are other alternatives to Microsoft Office and Microsoft Works. There are online programs such as Google Docs that is capable of handling most formats. There is also alternate office suites which can be downloaded to your computer at a very reasonable price…free! Open Office is one such example of free word processing. The multiplatform and multilingual office suite is free to download, use and distribute. For Open Office 2 the system requirements for a Windows-based system are as follows:

• Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2 or higher), Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista (enhanced Vista integration from version 2.2)
• 128 Mbytes RAM
• At least 800 Mbytes available disk space for a default install (including a JRE) via download. After installation and deletion of temporary installation files, OpenOffice.org will use approximately 440 Mbytes disk space.
• 800 x 600 or higher resolution with at least 256 colours

Other system requirements can be found by going here.

This Microsoft Office alternative has basically the same features of Microsoft Office, just without the high price.

There are several components to Open Office. In some ways I believe that Open Office is a better program than its competition. Here are the components:

• Writer
• Calc
• Impress
• Draw
• Base
• Math

Each of these components can be examined further by visiting: http://www.openoffice.org/product/product.html.

Free Web-Based Word Processing and More

Everyone knows about Google the search engine but not everyone is aware that Google offers FREE web-based word processing and much more. It is true! Google offers a web-based alternative to Microsoft Office or other office suites. When several people start sending documents back and forth to each other over the Internet, it is easy to lose track of what version of spreadsheet or word processor you are using. Google Docs and Spreadsheets keeps documents current and lets the people you chose update files from their own computers.

You can:

1. Create basic documents and spreadsheets from scratch.
2. Upload your existing files.
3. Choose who can access your documents and spreadsheets.
4. Share instantly.
5. Edit with others in real time.
6. Organize your documents.
7. Edit from anywhere.
8. Safely store your work.
9. Easily save and export copies.
10. Publish your work as a web page.
11. Control who can see your pages.
12. Post your documents to your blog.
13. Publish within your company or group.

 Check out this link:

google-docs-spreadsheets.pdf