Microsoft Office 2007 File Formats

Microsoft's newest addition to the Office line of products incorporates new XML based file formats. Users of Office XP and Office 2003 will need to download and install the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack from Microsoft. Click here to download the Compatibility Pack from Microsoft. 

Office 2007 is fully capable of saving files in the older 97-2003 formats, however the new XML based files offer increased security, decreased size, and are easier to recover when damaged. OIT recommends that users check first with their departmental IT and or local support to see if any decision has been made on which type they should be using. Those who decide to use the new file types should be aware that they may need to inform those they share files with about the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack mentioned above. 

We suggest that anyone interested in learning more about Office 2007 and these new file formats visit Microsoft's website at: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA100069351033.aspx