Word

Open XML Format

When you create a document or template in Word,
Word automatically saves the document or template
in the Open XML Format. This file format differs from
the format used by Word 2004 for Mac or earlier and
Word 2003 for Windows or earlier. The sections
below describe the file formats that you can use to
share a Word document or template with people who
use other versions of Word.
IMPORTANT: Some items that were created using new features in Office for Mac 2011 might behave differently
when the document is saved in the file format used by Office 2004 for Mac or earlier. Use the Compatibility
Report to avoid using new Office features that might behave differently with earlier versions of Office.

Document

You can share a Word document with people who

use other versions of Word as follows.
TIPS:

To find out which version of Word you are using, on the Word menu, click About Word.
If you work with any version of Word 2000 through Word 2003 for Windows and Word for Mac 2011, you can
download the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats from
the Microsoft Download Center area on the Microsoft Web site (https://www.microsoft.com/download).
Passwords in Excel for Mac and Word for Mac have a 15-character limit. You cannot open a workbook or
document that has been password protected in the Windows-based version of Excel or Word if the password is
longer than fifteen characters. If you want to open the file in Office for Mac, ask the Windows-based author to
adjust the password length.
To share a document with Operating Save file in this
someone using system format
Microsoft Word 2004 for Mac Mac OS Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Microsoft Word X Mac OS Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Microsoft Word 2001 Mac OS Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Microsoft Word 98 Mac OS Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Versions of Word earlier than Mac OS Rich Text Form
Word 98 (.rtf)
Microsoft Office Word 2007 Windows Word Docume
(.docx)
Microsoft Office Word 2003 Windows Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Microsoft Office Word 2002 Windows Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Microsoft Office Word 2000 Windows Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Microsoft Office Word 97 Windows Word 97-2004
Document (.do
Versions of Word earlier than Windows Rich Text Form
Microsoft Office Word 97 (.rtf)
 Template

You can share a Word template with people who use

other versions of Word as follows.
TIPS:

To find out which version of Word you are using, on the Word menu, click About Word.
Passwords in Excel for Mac and Word for Mac have a 15-character limit. You cannot open a workbook or
document that has been password protected in the Windows-based version of Excel or Word if the password is
longer than fifteen characters. If you want to open the file in Office for Mac, ask the Windows-based author to
adjust the password length.

T o share a template with Operating Save file in this

someone using system format
Word 2004 for Mac Mac OS Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
Word X Mac OS Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
Word 2001 Mac OS Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
Word 98 Mac OS Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
Word 2007 Windows Word Template
(.dotx)
Word 2003 Windows Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
Word 2002 Windows Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
T o share a template with Operating Save file in this
someone using system format
Word 2000 Windows Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)
Word 97 Windows Word 97-2004
Template (.dot)