Tech tips: How to open document create by old word version in Word 2013
When you open a document in Microsoft Word 2013 that was created in an earlier version of Word, Compatibility Mode is turned on, and you see Compatibility Mode in the title bar of the document window.
Compatibility Mode makes sure that no new or enhanced features in Word 2013 are available while you work with a document, so that people using earlier versions of Word will have full editing capabilities. Compatibility Mode also preserves the layout of the document.
Document modes and compatibility
When you open a document in Word 2013, it’s in one of these modes:
- Word 2013
- Word 2010 Compatibility Mode
- Word 2007 Compatibility Mode
- Word 97-2003 Compatibility Mode
To determine which mode the document is in, check the document title bar. If [Compatibility Mode] appears after the file name, the document is in Word 2007 Compatibility Mode, Word 2010 Compatibility Mode, or Word 97-2003 Compatibility Mode. To determine which, do the following:
- Click File.
- Click Info.
- In the Inspect Document section, click Check for Issues, and then click Check Compatibility.
- Click Select versions to show.
A check mark appears next to the name of the mode that the document is in.
If the title bar does not display [Compatibility Mode], you’re in Word 2013 mode and all features are available.
Feature availability in each mode
| FEATURE | 97-2003 | 2007 | 2010 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps for Office | ||||
| Web video | ||||
| New numbering formats | ||||
| New shapes and text boxes | ||||
| Text effects | ||||
| Alternative text on tables | ||||
| OpenType features | ||||
| Blocking authors | ||||
| New WordArt effects | ||||
| New content controls | ||||
| Word 2007 Content controls | ||||
| Themes | ||||
| Major/minor fonts | ||||
| Tracked moves | ||||
| Margin tabs | ||||
| SmartArt graphics | ||||
| Office 2007 charts | ||||
| Open XML Embedded objects | ||||
| Building blocks | ||||
| Bibliography and citations | ||||
| Equations | ||||
| Relative text boxes | ||||
| Custom XML | ||||
| Previous-version WordArt | ||||
| Previous-version diagrams | ||||
| Previous-version charts |
Convert a document to the Word 2013 mode
You can work in Compatibility Mode or you can convert your document to the Word 2013 file format. The Word Convert command clears the compatibility options so that the document layout appears as it would if it had been created in Word 2013. If the file is in .doc format, the Convert command also upgrades the file to the .docx format.
Converting your document lets you access the new and enhanced features in Word 2013. However, people who are using earlier versions of Word might be prevented from or have difficulty editing certain portions of the document that were created by using new or enhanced features in Word 2013.
1. Click the File tab.
2. Do one of the following:
- To convert the document without saving a copy, click Info, and then click Convert.
- To create a new copy of the document in Word 2013 mode, click Save As and then choose the location and the folder where you want to save the new copy. Type a new name for the document in the File name box, and click Word Document in the Save as type list. Make sure the checkbox next to Maintain compatibility with previous versions of Word is unchecked.
