Converting new Excel/Powerpoint files to an older version?

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daveswoodhauler

daveswoodhauler

Minister of Fire
May 20, 2008
1,847
Massachusetts
Ok, hopefully Craig won't pound on me with all his anti PC jokes lol
Anyway, my wife does some contract work for NASA to develop teaching aids/study aids, and as part of the panel they send her Excel and Powerpoint files to review.
Problem is, we are on a version of Office via 2003, and the files she is being sent are newer.
Is there any decent free software out there that can covert the newer files to older for viewing? (Due to time issues, we can't go back to the sender to have them resave)
Always leary of downloading free software, so just looking to see if anyone has any decent software and or ideas?
Thanks Folks.
 
When they save files, if possible, have them do a "save as" and choose ".ppt" (powerpoint 97 - 2003) rather than ".pptx" (powepoint 2007).

You should also be able to download a compatibility add-on from msft so she can open edit the files.
 
If you can read them in open office, I would save them back into an MS format and make sure that your MS programs can read them before you e-mail them back (if that's what you do).
 
mayhem said:
Download the converter program from Microsoft's website. This is safe to grab and is free.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...70-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en

Do NOT ask the people she is doing contract work for to save the files in an old format...great way to risk losing her job.

You will eventually have to get a newer version of Office, but this will work for now.
Click to expand...

Thanks Folks
Ok, so I downloaded the file and installed....ok there.
Now, what do you do? Its an .exe file, the download and instructions dont indicate how to use the converter program?
 
You run it and it modifies your existing Office 2003 applications to open the newer formatted Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. After that its seamless, it converts the fiesl as you open them.,,but if the author used new features in 2007 or 2010 that did not exist in 2003, those bits will not work. Normally this isn't really an issue, but it can happen.

Openoffice might be a good solution too, forgot about that one. Its a free office suite that has word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. No e-mail but thats not important.
 
mayhem said:
You run it and it modifies your existing Office 2003 applications to open the newer formatted Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. After that its seamless, it converts the fiesl as you open them.,,but if the author used new features in 2007 or 2010 that did not exist in 2003, those bits will not work. Normally this isn't really an issue, but it can happen.

Openoffice might be a good solution too, forgot about that one. Its a free office suite that has word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. No e-mail but thats not important.
Click to expand...


It will open and save in all current Mirosoft office formats
 
Well, something is farqued up then on my computer and wifes laptop then. Installed the converter software, and all the service pak updates to vista, and when she goes to open the Powerpoint or Excel file, it just says "No text converted installed for this file type"...which is bs as I can see the dam file right here on my desk top and it is installed.
Thanks for all your helps gutys...I'll need to check out the openoffice and perhaps try that route.....after 2 hours now on freaking microsoft updates I am still back to where I began :).....is it time for a cold one yet?
 
mayhem said:
If its not violating a confidentiality agreement, you can e-mail the files to me and I'll see if I can figure it out for you.

[email protected]
Click to expand...

Wow, thats very helpful, thank you.
One is a powerpoint, and one is in excel.
I'm ready to pull my hair out, but then again I don't have any left :)
 
treehackers said:
mayhem said:
You run it and it modifies your existing Office 2003 applications to open the newer formatted Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. After that its seamless, it converts the fiesl as you open them.,,but if the author used new features in 2007 or 2010 that did not exist in 2003, those bits will not work. Normally this isn't really an issue, but it can happen.

Openoffice might be a good solution too, forgot about that one. Its a free office suite that has word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. No e-mail but thats not important.
Click to expand...


It will open and save in all current Mirosoft office formats
Click to expand...

I tested Openoffice as a potential replacement for MS Office at our office.

It made substantial changes to document formatting when it opened our documents. If you just need to open and read the content, then openoffice might be sufficient.

Microsoft's free extension for prior versions (in the link previously provided) will open the documents and preserve the formatting. It also maintains macros and OLE links if those are issues.

If you need to edit documents (particularly if you need to produce red-line copies) then there is no real alternative to upgrading to the new version of MS Office.
 
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