Is there some Word 2007 or Word 2010 settings that a user can adjust so that when you are creating a template or document you are only allowed to use Word 97 - 2003 features? When I create a template or document using what I think are the same features found in Word 2003 I sometimes get the warning message that saving in 97 - 2003 format will remove some features but it dosn't inform me of what features.

Hi Jim,

Are you working in Word's 97-2003 compatability mode? Also, if you do a compatibility check, you should be able to find out what the issues are.

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

I wasn't aware that there is a compatability mode, how do you select that mode? While in mode does that mean you can only make use use of 2003 features in your document? Where is the compatiability check located that you mention?

Thank you for the help.

Hi Jim,

The compatability mode is set via Word Options|Save, where you can choose the default save format. choosing the 'Word 97-2003 document (.doc)' format puts Word 2007 & later into the compatability mode.

In Word 2010, you can check for compatability issues via File|Info|Prepare for Sharing.

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

Thanks. So I open a blank document, first save it as a doc and then actually add content and I will only to add content(including styles, etc) that are allow in the 97 - 2003 formats? So if I derive a blank document from a dot then the compatiabilty mode would be on?

I dopn't think anyone wants to write a document than at save have to made changes so only 97 - 2003 features are in document. In Visual Studio 2010 you can set a project so it is based on a .Net version and that version features is all you will have access to.

Hi Jim,

No, you don't have to do that. Simply checking the option as described means Word will default to the .doc format for all new documents.

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

That option under Word Options|Save is for setting the default save format. My question is when working in the document is there a setting that tells the Word app that I only want to be able to use (97 - 2003) features that can be saved in the old formats like doc.

For example, I set the saving format for Word to be doc (97 - 2003 format) but I can still insert Smart Art into that document but I can't save that in the old formats and am warn that I can't. There are a lot of 2007 features and styles one might use but not be aware these cannot be saved in the old format therefore a lot of work and time is lost to figure out what 2007 features, styles were used that you now have to remove. There is a requirement of saving in the old format but the only machines that can be used are ones with Office 2007 on them. The same exists with Excel and PowerPoint. I am thinking there is not a setting to control the features available to be only 97 - 2003.

Hi Jim,

There's nothing to prevent you from adding a Word 2007+ feature to a Word 97-2003 .doc file, but doing so is futile if the .doc format doesn't support it. Content controls, for example, will be converted to plain text upon saving in the .doc format. Aside from things like that, there are relatively few Word 2007+ features that Word 2000-2003 users wouldn't be able to edit/update.

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