How do I convert MS Word 97 to MS Word 2010

[pepsi]

I've found some old files from MS Word 97 (see attachment) and I want to convert them to ms10. Can someone walk me through the procedure?

 

[Irene]

Shouldn't be a problem, just follow the steps in the link below:
Use Word 2010 to open documents created in earlier versions of Word - Word - Office.com

 

[pepsi]

Shouldn't be a problem, just follow the steps in the link below:
Use Word 2010 to open documents created in earlier versions of Word - Word - Office.com

Didn't work. In my first post I included an attachment of the ite. It's in some type of code. I think I need to change that first. Can you suggest how that's done?

 

[GEWB]

The file may be corrupted. I would install LibreOffice and try opening in Writer.

Home » LibreOffice

If it opens, you may need to run some "fixes" if the original is corrupt - most common problems are with the TOC (delete it) or page numbers in footers.

If it "works" then SAVE AS the new Word version.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[pepsi]

The file may be corrupted. I would install LibreOffice and try opening in Writer.

I've downloaded both the main installer and the libre office built in help but I can't figure out how to open it in writer. Can you walk me through it?

 

[Irene]

If the document is corrupt, you could try 'Open and Repair':

The fix is really easy and quick...

1. Just Open Word, click on File > Open.
2. In Open dialogue box, select the document you want to repair, now click on a small arrow on the side of the Open button.
3. It will show a drop down menu, click on Open and Repair.

 

[GEWB]

Irene's method is the "default" way but may not always work which is why I have been using LibreOffice (OpenOffice) for years - I just find it matches my workflow with less frustration.

Should you want/need to use LibreOffice, it is used much like MS Word. You asked how to open a file in Writer (I assume you mean after installing LibreOffice)...


Click the Windows Start icon in the lower left of your task bar to open the Windows menu. The first level menu opens.



Click on All Programs and the second level Windows menu opens. Scroll down the program list and click on the LibreOffice folder to expand the list. Select (click on) LibreOffice Writer.



Note: if the default LibreOffice suite launch menu is open, select the type of file you wish to work with:

Text Document
Spreadsheet
Presentation
Drawing
Database
Formula
Templates
Open... (opens a generic navigation window to select a file)
​

LibreOffice Writer opens to a blank page.



On the menu bar, click on File then click on Open...



Navigate to the desired file. Select the file and click the Open button.



Your file will open in Writer (if it is not too badly corrupt).



Fix any problem areas such as the Word TOC, page numbering, etc.

Once corrected, you can save the file in Word DOCX format from LibreOffice.

On the menu bar click File then Save As...



At the far right of the Save as type box, click the down arrow - the type drop list opens.



Scroll down and select (click on) Microsoft Word 2007/2010 XML (.docx) (*.docx).
The file name and type will populate the File name text box (you can change the name if you wish).


Click the Save button.

Done!

Regards,
GEWB

 

[pepsi]

GEWB,
I followed your directions and I've enclosed the results. I've also enclosed the ASCI Filter Options.
I also followed Irene's directions and that didn't work

 

[GEWB]

Hello pepsi -

Not sure I can help from here.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[Irene]

Have you actually checked which mode the document is in?

If not, here is how to do it:

Document modes and compatibility

When you open a document in Word 2010, it is in one of three modes:

• Word 2010
• Word 2007 Compatibility Mode
• Word 97-2003 Compatibility Mode

To determine which mode the document is in, check the document's title bar. If (Compatibility Mode) appears after the file name, the document is in either Word 2007 Compatibility Mode or Word 97-2003 Compatibility Mode. To determine which, do the following:

1. Click the File tab.

1. Click Info.
2. In the Prepare for Sharing section, click Check for Issues, and then click Check Compatibility.
3. Click Select versions to show.

A check mark appears next to the name of the mode that the document is in.

Also, what is the .extension showing on the filename?

Another possibility:
Try the steps mentioned below:

1. Right click the Word file.
2. Select Open With from the pop-up menu
3. Click Choose Program.
4. Select Word 2010 in the Programs box
5. Check Always use the selected program to open this kind of file
6. Click OK.
Try opening the word file and see if it helps.

 

[pepsi]

Thanks for the help. I finally decided that if the file was that old and I didn't miss it, it couldn't be that important.

 

[GEWB]

Thanks for the help. I finally decided that if the file was that old and I didn't miss it, it couldn't be that important.

Smart, very smart!

Regards,
GEWB