Error message when you try to open or to save a 2007 Office document by using an earlier version of an Office program: "This file was created by a newer version of Microsoft <program>"

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.
You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

You try to open or to save a 2007 Microsoft Office document by using an earlier version of a Microsoft Office program, such as Microsoft Office Word 2003 or Microsoft Excel 2002. When you do this, you may receive one of the following error messages:

Method 1: Install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats when you are prompted

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open or save the 2007 Office document.
2. When you are prompted to download the Compatibility Pack, click Yes.
3. After the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats Web page opens, click Download.
4. Click Run.
   
   
   If the computer is running Windows Vista, you may be prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation. Type the password, or click Continue.
5. Click Run when you are prompted to run the software.
6. Click to select the Click here to accept the Microsoft Software License Terms check box, and then click Continue.
7. Click OK.
   
   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
8. When the Compatibility Pack is installed, click OK.

Method 2: Download and then install the Compatibility Pack

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466
2. After the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats Web page opens, click Download.
3. Click Run.
   
   
   If the computer is running Windows Vista, you may be prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation. Type the password, or click Continue.
4. Click Run when you are prompted to run the software.
5. Click to select the Click here to accept the Microsoft Software License Terms check box, and then click Continue.
6. Click OK.
   
   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
7. When the Compatibility Pack is installed, click OK.