Converting Word 2003 PC documents to Word 2008 Mac documents

[Quizz-Kid]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I have several documents created in Word 2003 for PC that I would like to convert to Word 2008 for Mac. After several attempts, I have not been able to do this. How can I convert the Word 2003 for PC documents to Word 2008 for Mac?

 

[CyberTaz]

There's no 'conversion' necessary. How are you 'attempting' to convert them?

Open the files with Word 2008 just like you'd open them with Word 2003:
File> Open. They should open normally except that the term "Compatibility
Mode" will be displayed in the document title bar. If you want to create a
copy of the file in the OXML (.docx) format use File> Save As & select that
from the Format: list.

If this is what your "attempts" have been but it isn't working as advertised
you'll need to be far more explicit about the origin of the files, what the
nature of their content is [other than text], where they are stored &
exactly what does happen when you try to open them.

Also, confirm that your installation of Office is fully updated (12.2.4) &
that OS X is at 10.6.2 -- there was a bug at one time but updates fixed it.

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

 

[IanD]

I have just transferred files from a G4 Power PC to a new Mac mini and installed a new Office2008 for Mac (H&S ed). I can open some old files OK but not others. They open but do not display text. The blocks are there and red and green underlines show in places, but that is all. Office and OSX software updates are fully up to date at time of writing.

Comparing "get info" for two docs of similar size, one that opens OK and one that doesn't, shows no perceptible difference. Both are MS Word 97 - 2004.

The problem in CyberTaz's response lies in the "should open normally". They don't, although 'compatibility mode' is displayed. So I too would like to "convert" them so they do open properly!

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Ian;

It still isn't a matter of conversion ‹ at least not as far as the files
themselves or the file format is concerned. Conversion is only required for
older versions of the Office apps to be able to open OXML files created by
the Office 2007/2008 versions of the Office apps. There are other probable
causes of why those files are unreadable.

One such possibility is that the files are corrupted or may be damaged in
some way. Apparently Word 2008 is able to open the file but not able to
effectively display the content.

More likely is the fonts used when the files were created. Since you refer
to them as "old" & based on your use of the term "blocks" [which I take to
mean hollow squares appearing in place of alpha characters] I'm guessing
that the necessary fonts are not installed on your current system. Either
Word is unable to recognize what font/characters should be displayed or
can't identify a suitable substitute it displays the squares instead.

Open one of the files, then use the Compatibility Report (View menu or from
the Toolbox). It will most likely tell you what the problems are. You may
simply be able to go to Word> Preferences - Compatibility, click the Font
Substitution button & select a font that will work. You may have to do some
reformatting dependent on the metrics of the original font used.

If that alone doesn't provide a complete solution you also may have been
bitten by one of the Snow Leopard font conflicts. Come back for further
suggestions on how to resolve if necessary... But please do so in a NEW
message stating all particulars relevant to your Office & OS X update levels
rather than in a REPLY to another issue. It gets quite confusing &
misleading when different situations are being addressed in the same thread.

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

 

[IanD]

FYI, in the absence of a reply here (my files were not created on a PC but a Mac, but this was the nearest related thread I could find at the time) I have moved to a thread on "invisible text" relating to Font Book, and in my case Arial in particular.

 

[Rob Schneider]

There have been three replies. Look again.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[IanD]

Bob

Thanks. Been away and should have clicked refresh first! So posted last note before reading your response. My apologies. It does look like a font problem and will follow up elsewhere. Now in a forum with John McGhie but I'll start a new one if that doesn't get anywhere.

I am glad you get confused because I certainly do - the search mechanisms rarely throw up correctly related threads and I am personally reluctant to start a new one on the grounds that there is probably a solution already out there.