'Word' files -recipients unable to open!

[moggie 939]

Hi
I wanted to attach a letter to an email I was sending to two separate companies. They came back to me to say that they could not open the file!
What I did was, in my HP printer setup I had various options, one of which is to place the letter on the scanner and copy it. It then gives me various options such as 'save to file' and 'save as MSoft Word'. I clicked the latter and after it had finished the letter appeared on my screern as Word and I saved this to my docs. Something was mentioned about a 'tiff' file when it scanned.
When I opened it, all was ok so I attached it to my emails - but as I said they could not open it! Checking the file it has the suffix .docx and I am running MSWord 2007 because I can't afford to buy the latest Word software. I sent the email to myself as a test and I was able to open it ok.
I am not really up word processing, but is the problem that I have Word 2007 and everything has changed after that and companies cannot open Word 2007?
My PC came with 'Works' installed and I assumed from what I was told that not many companies can open 'Works'
Thanks a lot
Moggie

[dzug2]

Your recipients can download a free conversion utility from the Microsoft support site that will convert the files from .docx to .doc

[dzug2]

Alternatively there may be an option in Word 2007 to 'save as' a word 97-2003 document - which is .doc

[squarebear]

You should save as .doc instead of .docx

[TTG]

You can also download a free plugin for Word 2007 allowing you to save as a pdf file (link below). Pdf files will preserve all the formatting (fonts, graphics, tables etc) without worrying if the recipient has any version of Word or the correct fonts installed. This is only effective if you are not expecting the recipient to change your emailed document!

http://wordprocessing...7/qt/microsoftpdf.htm

[VHG]

One of the option in Word (or available for free) is to convert a Word document as a PDF.

Why not do that and mail the pdf to them.

[moggie 939]

Thanks guys, this is very useful -but I still don't understand. Why are my word files .docx instead of .doc? Are you saying that .doc is the normal suffix for MS Word which anyone can open and do later versions support this? You mention 97 - 2003 Word as .doc - so why is my 2007 version different? If I send as a pdf
Thanks again file will this automatically open in the receipient's Word or will I have to tell them?
Thanks again
Moggie

[jaydah]

save it as a jpg file & send again.

[dzug2]

Microsoft updated their formats with word 2007 - that's why they are different.

If you 'save as' in word 97-2003 format (it should give you that option) it will be .doc

If you just save it will be docx

[moggie 939]

Thanks DZUG2 (and everyone) I understand now why all the companies I sent the attach. to could not open it. Seems silly to change the format to .docx for Word 2007!!

I have gone in MS Word and then 'save as' and it does indeed give me the option of saving in '97 to 2003' format, which I will do in the future.

THanks so much

Moggie

[beso]

jaydah's suggestion to save it as a jpg is not a good idea. jpg is a high compression photo format. It smudges text and line based graphics making them look aweful.

A better choice for this kind of image is a tif, png or gif. Avoid gif if photos are included as it only uses limited colour information.

However the pdf is the best solution. Nobody should send doc, let alone docx unless specifically requested.

Any program that can print can have its output converted to pdf using a program such as cutepdf. It isn't quite as good as the Word SaveAs plugin but it works on any program.

[moggie 939]

Thanks again - pdf looks a good option. However, a few years ago when I had Word 2003 installed, I had no problems with my attachments!

Was Word 2007 the only time .docx was used and has the latest Word (2010) reverted to .doc?

Moggie

[boxtops]

I have this problem Moggie - I have Word 2007 but most of my recipients are still on Word 1997-2003. When you want to save the document, click "Save As" then click on the MSWord 97-2003 option - that version can be read by most people without the need to convet.

[AlBags]

You can tell Word 2007 to save as 'default' .doc, instead of .docx.
End of problems.