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Department of Education

Information Collection Clearance Division

Viewing Microsoft Word Documents
Microsoft Word, widely known for its extension .DOC, was revised in 2007 as .DOCX causing a variety of
compatibility issues for Word users and non-users alike. This document addresses the steps to gap the
difference between two MS Word versions: MS Word 2003 (.DOC) and MS Word 2007 (.DOCX).

Viewing Word files withouth the MS Word Application
If your workstation does not have the MS Word Application, you can download and install a free
alternative application The application can only view/print the document:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3657ce88-7cfa-457a-9aecf4f827f20cac&displaylang=en
NOTE: The free application can only view .DOC files. In order to view the Word 2007 (.DOCX)
documents a patch must be applied (see below).
Reference: How to view Word 2007 and Excel 2007 files by using Word Viewer 2003 and Excel Viewer
2003. 31 October 2008. .

Vieweing Word 2007 files using MS Word 2003 or other applications
If your MS Word application version is 2003 or earlier, you will need a patch in order to open the Word
2007 (.DOCX) files:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en
NOTE: The patch only allows a limited access to the document. For Word 2003, you will not be able to
edit any of the features that was added with Word 2007. For Word Viewer 2003, you will not be able to
edit the file.
Reference: Open a Word 2007 document in an earlier version of Word.

Changing the MS Word Application to save files in .DOCX as default
If you have the MS Word 2007 application installed on your PC and your frequently download files with
the MS Word file format, default the desired file format by confirguring the MS Word application. The
following steps offer a thorough process to assigning Word 2007 documents to MS Word 2007 or older
MS Word applications with the compatibility patch installed:
1. For MS Word 2007 users only: Open MS Word 2007 and click the Microsoft Office Button
and then click Word Options, which you'll find at the bottom of the menu.

Last Revised 3.11.2010

Troubleshooting Microsoft Word Documents

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Department of Education

Information Collection Clearance Division

2. In the dialog box that opens, click the Save tab.

3. Select the file type Word Document (*.docx) or the format you want to use as a default from
the list labeled Save files in this format.
4. Restart the workstation if necessary.

Last Revised 3.11.2010

Troubleshooting Microsoft Word Documents

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