Microsoft Open XML File Converter for Mac

 

Microsoft's newest version of Office, Office 2007, uses a new file system called Office Open XML.  By default, Office 2007 saves Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents in this new format and older versions of Office can't open them.

Microsoft has released a beta version file converter for use with Office 2004.  (A "beta" is simply a version of an unreleased software product made available to the public for testing purposes.)  This file converter allows Office 2004 users to open Word and PowerPoint files created in Office 2007's Open XML file format.

However, there are still some issues with this converter and Computer Services does not recommend its use on campus just yet.  Some of these issues include:

• As a beta, the software is unfinished.  It may harbor bugs or other unseen flaws.
• The converter will not allow Office 2004 users to Open Excel 2007 files.
• The converter is not automatic.  The user is required to manually run it each time he or she wishes to convert a file.
• It only runs on Mac OS 10.4.8 or higher.

If you are a campus Mac user and feel you need to have the Open XML File Converter installed on your Mac, please contact the Computer Services Help Desk at (205) 665-6520 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday) or send an email to helpdesk@montevallo.edu.

 

August 2007