I have Word 2002 and 2013 installed. My client has Word 2013. I work exclusively in 2002 because it's a better program.

The file is originally in 2002. I need for my client to be able to view it in 2002 so that he can use Track Changes in 2002.



He can open the document in 2013, but the editing and comments don't display properly. I want to work with him in 2002 because it's a simpler program.

How can he view the document in 2002? Does he need to install a Compatibility Pack?

I am guessing here but, I believe the Word 2013 user would have to save the file as a "Word 97-2003 Document (*doc)" in order for the 2002 user to access the 2002 track changes.

Of course, other posters may have a different/better solution.

Word 2013 can quite happily word with documents created in Word 2002. There is nothing to install; neither is there any need to change the save format in Word 2013.

Whatever issues you're having vis-à-vis the Track Changes display has to do with how the app is configured. That's because how tracked changes are displayed depends not on how they appeared on your system when creating them but on how the person viewing them has their system configured. The same issues can arise even between different installations of Word 2002.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Thank you, Paul. Neither I nor my client can get the balloons to display in the margin. How do we do that?

Also, does he need to have 2002 installed in order to view the document in 2002?

To display the balloons in the margin, simply set the property (in Word 2010 it's via Review>Show Markup>Balloons>Show Revisions in Balloons. You'll need to combine that setting the display options on the Review tab to Original:Show Markup.

Your fixation with being able "to view the document in 2002" is entirely misplaced. All installing that antiquated version would achieve is corruption of the client's Office 2013 installation. As I said in my first reply (and as detailed above), the display of tracked changes is a configuration issue - not a version issue.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

HA! That's a cheeky reply. First, you misunderstood my question. I want to display the COMMENTS in the balloons, not the revisions.

Second, professionals who work with documents around the clock are the people who are best placed to say what features they NEED and WANT in a word processor. The fact that Microsoft owns the word-processing world and dictates what we get, doesn't mean that I have a fixation on an antiquated product. It means I reject a new product that made my work much more difficult.

Since the display is the issue, go ahead and tell me how to display the comment balloons in the margin.

That is not what you have previously said. Kindly read you first post. It says quite unambiguously: which is just plain nonsense. Every Word version can work with and display Track Changes. You continued with:
which says nothing about balloons.

In your next post, you said:
and I told you how to do that - a process that will enable the display of both tracked changes and comments in the balloons. So don't go accusing me of not understanding what you have posted.

Indeed, had you taken a few nanoseconds to look at the other options on these same dropdowns you'd see:
Review>Show Markup>Comments
and:
Review>Show Markup>Balloons>Show only Comments and Formatting in Balloons

As for:
all it really means is that you're unwilling to learn how to use the newer products that are, in some respects, considerably easier to use. They are also far more capable than Word 2002 ever was. Unlike you, I can say this from the position of someone whose extensive use of multiple versions allows them to switch seamlessly between, say, Word 2003 and Word 2010.

And, because you're unwilling to keep up-to-date you find yourself in forums like this one asking others to tell you how to do things someone with Word clients should already know. One might even argue that your failure to keep abreast of the changes risks denying your clients the full benefits of the tools they're using.
I suggest you take a little more care with how you post. The attitude that comes across here is more likely to alienate people than anything else.

FWIW, Office 2002 was not one of Microsoft's better products and is one MS would probably prefer to not be reminded of. Both Office 2000 and 2003 were more stable and the latter was a much more capable product.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Alright, you're an abusive idiot. Please just avoid my posts in future.

Paul is one of the most patient and knowledgeable people you will find -- especially when you are seeking free professional-level advice. You have just cut off your hope of help here and most places. Good luck.

I did absolutely nothing to invite his acerbic reply. His knowledge or status here doesn't given him license to be rude, nor should it prevent other forum members from holding him (and everyone) to a standard of politeness. Are you saying that because his professional advice is free I should be grateful for it no matter how it is delivered? I think not, although if he had actually solved my problem I would be grateful.

He answered your question, politely and thoroughly. He answered both your original question and your modified question. He became acerbic when you said his reply was "cheeky." He pointed out that these are things that someone who is giving paid professional advice to others about Word should know. That is a cogent observation.

Really? So what do you call:
when the real issue is that you couldn't be bothered framing your question properly. And what do you call:
As for:
You seem determined to be offensive. Kindly do it somewhere else. Better still, learn some manners real quick. Otherwise you'll find yourself being banned here - and possibly from any other boards you subscribe to - reputations spread quickly in this environment...

Indeed. Thread closed.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]