Microsoft Office: How to Convert Older Microsoft Office Files

Even if you are using Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, or a newer version that includes Microsoft Office 365, you probably have files created in Office 2003 or earlier. When you open any of these Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files from Microsoft Office, the compatibility mode kicks in and you see [Compatibility Mode] in the title bar of the document window. Compatibility mode ensures that your files can still be edited by other people who are using earlier versions of Microsoft Office, although you may no longer need this ability backwards. What are your options for working with these “older” but important files in a newer version of Microsoft Office?

Options for working with Office 2003 files

1. Without changes. When you edit a file originally created in an Office 2003 program, you can continue working in compatibility mode and save the file as usual without changing the file format. In other words, keep working with him and saving as before; the file will not be automatically downgraded to a new version. These Office 2003 files can still be opened from Office 2010 or any earlier version.
2. Save as in the latest version. You can save any file from Office 2003 or earlier as Office 2007 or a newer version. Tea Save as The option is in the Backstage View / File tab (Office 2010 and later versions) or the Office Button (Office 2007). The downside is that unless you specify a different location or delete the old file, both files will remain in the same location but with different file extensions.
3. Convert to the latest version. To take advantage of all the latest features in your current version of Microsoft Office, you can convert a file to the appropriate Office 2010/2007 file format. For example, the Convert command in Microsoft Word converts and replaces a document in the .doc format and updates the file to the .docx format. The Convert option is recommended instead of Save As.

How to convert a file to a newer Microsoft Office file format

Converting your file gives you access to new and improved features in Office 2016, 2013, 2010, or 2007, such as tables, expanded worksheets, and pivot tables in Excel, SmartArt and picture styles in Word, and new charts and functions transition in PowerPoint.

To convert a file:

1. From one of your Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint), open any file created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office.

2. In Office 2010 and later versions: Select the Backstage view (File tab) and choose the Turn into on the Information tab. In Office 2007: Click the Office button in the upper left corner and choose Turn into from the menu.

3. You will then see a specific message from the program about the conversion action. Browse your options.

4. If the program does not close and reopen automatically, close the file and reopen it to continue using it with all the features available in your current Office program. The converted file will open with the appropriate file extension. For example, when you save an Excel 2003 file that contains macros, it will typically be converted as a macro-enabled Excel workbook (extension .xlsm).

The converted files are replaced with the updated file and file format. The Convert command is not available when a file is already saved in an Office 2010/2007 file format. Note: Before proceeding with the conversion process, consider whether you want to back up your files first.