Hints for saving Microsoft Office 2007 files (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Most of our staff does not have access to Microsoft Office as the district has decided that we would use Star Office as our free word processing/slide presentation/spreadsheet program. This has created some issues with opening files from other programs but most have been workable.
However, since Microsoft has launched Office 2007, I have only been able to open those files with an updated 2003 version of Office. Many teachers do not have access to this as well as many other people don’t know about the change in the saving of files.
I am recommending to all users of Office 2007 to be aware of how they are saving the files, looking for the file extensions. Word documents end in .docx, Power Point Presentation end as .pptx, and Excel spreadsheets end with .xlsx, the “x” at the end being the hint that it is from an Office 2007 program. The average user does not see this as they work in Office 2007 but it cam be seen in your email when you attach it to be sent.
There is a way to adjust for this, especially for your student’s work to be saved for school or sending information to others in the world that may not have Office 2007. When you save your file, regardless of the Office program, change the type of file the 97-2003 version of the program. These choices are available by left-clicking on the blue down arrow at “save as type.”
Excel
Word 
PowerPoint 
I hope these instructions will help make the use of your programs more compatible with the programs of other. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Karen Swanson, Librarian
Wester Middle School 817-453-7200 x249