WORD doc compatibility 04 won't open in Word in Windows Vista

[TorahTrek]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I saved my WORD doc files from my 2008 WORD IMAC 10.6 Snow Leapord, saved in 97-04 compatibility mode, to a thumb drive. Tried to open the files on WORD on Windows Vista home edition. It doesn't read the files. The files have "._" before the file names. Why is this happening? How do I save my WORD files in IMAC so that they open up in WORD on Windows Vista?

 

[CyberTaz]

Did you actually save directly to the USB stick? It's highly recommended
that you never do so. Always save to your HD, then move or copy them to the
stick using Finder. Likewise, don't attempt to open the files directly from
the stick on either computer - Move or copy the files to the system's HD &
work with those copies. IOW, the stick should be used for transporting only.

Additionally, when you save files the box should be checked for 'Append file
extension'. It would also be better to save in the default file format
rather than 97-2004. If the PC is running Office 2007 or 2010 it uses the
exact same .docx format which is *more* compatible than the older .doc
format used by earlier versions of Office. If the PC is running Office 2003
& updates have been maintained it should have no problem with .docx either.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[pjonesCET]

Your not trying to open from the thumb drive are you?
 Go back to the mac Throw away the documents on the thumb drive. Now copy fresh copies.

next go back to PC and copy the files to desktop of the PC. Then move to desired folder. now try opening Files.

Thumb Drives are meant strictly for moving items from one place to another.

 

[TorahTrek]

thanks for the replys.

I transferred the docs to the thumbdrive by way of Finder. I took your advice and transferred them to the Desktop. It doesn't help. I can try saving in docx, but that means I have to individually resave 200 files. any ideas?

 

[TorahTrek]

Problem solved. Apparently I was trying to open a shortcut or something. When I continued to scroll down, the real files appeared.

Thanks to those who tried to help me.

 

[Jim Gordon Mac MVP]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor:
Intel I saved my WORD doc files from my 2008 WORD IMAC 10.6 Snow
Leapord, saved in 97-04 compatibility mode, to a thumb drive. Tried to
open the files on WORD on Windows Vista home edition. It doesn't read
the files. The files have "._" before the file names. Why is this
happening? How do I save my WORD files in IMAC so that they open up in
WORD on Windows Vista?

Hi,

This has nothing to do with thumb drives or the way you saved your file.

There is a setting in Windows that you can change to display hidden file
names. The names that begin with an an underscore are normally hidden
from you view by Windows. The actual files are further down in the list
of files. You can't open those underscore files.

The solution is to turn off the display of hidden file names in Windows.

-Jim

 

[CyberTaz]

This will help explain;

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10329972-263.html

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac