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Ways to open MS Office 2007 docx files for free.
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When bringing out Office 2007, for its wordprocessor documents Microsoft introduced a new '.docx' file type, replacing the familiar '.doc' files. If you've not got Office 2007, you won't be able to open them.
Yet there are now a variety of free add ons to let you do just that.
Windows PC user with an older Microsoft Office?
Get Microsoft's own compatibility pack to edit files.
Thankfully the multinational corporation didn't entirely forget about users of previous MS Office suites upon releasing 2007, and made an Office Compatibility Pack, which when installed allows them to see and edit docx documents, as well as a bunch of other previously inaccessible types.
Just click it and download it and its automatic.
Windows PC user without MS Office.
Viewing only. Online Converter.
Microsoft also released a new version of Word Viewer which supports docx files. This is fine for those that just want to be able to view & print files, or copy the text into another word processor for editing.
If for some random reason the software doesn't install, you can also convert .docx files back to simple html (for copying) using websites. Docx-Converter is a free example, and since it's web-based it'll work regardless of your operating system.
Mac OSX user with MS Office 2004.
Get Microsoft's Mac update.
Microsoft's also released an update for its first foray into Office for Mac, the 2004 edition. It's free to download from its website (scroll down the bottom right window for the download link).
Mac OSX user without MS Office.
Viewing only. Converter widget.
The Docx-Converter site above has also made a handy desktop widget for Mac users. Once downloaded, you can simply drag docx files on to the widget (press f12 while dragging) and it'll almost instantly produce a simple html version of them.
Side-step MS Office and get a free alternative office suite for PC/Mac/Linux
If you want to edit docx files easily without having to fiddle around with copying/converting them first, then consider downloading the beta (ie unfinished) version of OpenOffice 3. This open source, completely free, equivalent of Office now supports .docx files natively, adding another feather to its already attractive cap. Plus, it now also offers full support for Mac users too.
In previous incarnations, OpenOffice has received almost universal praise from the tech community, and this version's touted to be even better. In short, it's a serious contender to Microsoft's expensive offering, yet it's free. So even if you're a dedicated Office fan, it's worth trying if only to see what all the fuss is about.
One caveat though; since this is a beta version it's still being tested, so there may well be bugs that still need ironing out. Thus, it's not recommended if the work you're planning to do is particularly high profile.
Anything else?
Watch out for the completely re-researched & rewritten Free Office Software article in the next couple of weeks, including all current free software top picks.
There's also a current, stable version of openoffice.org - 2.4.1, I have been using it for ages, don't even have anything MS Office on my computer, works a treat!
There's also a current, stable version of openoffice.org - 2.4.1, I have been using it for ages, don't even have anything MS Office on my computer, works a treat!
Charlie
That doesn't natively support docx though does it?
"She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss
Open Office v2.4.1 doesn't yet support docx (I believe that's coming in v2.5) however you can install the free Office Compatibility Pack on a machine with Open Office to add support.
you seem to have missed out the option of a mac users with a 2004 version of microsoft office. What do you recommend with this configeration to open .docx files
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You can also use the free website http://www.zamzar.com/ to convert your DOCX files into other formats (and it converts any other files you have such as music, video and photos). Very easy to use!
you seem to have missed out the option of a mac users with a 2004 version of microsoft office. What do you recommend with this configeration to open .docx files
Good point! I've added Microsoft's Office 2004 update link to the top post. This purports to solve the problem, though I've not tried it, so please do feedback if you give it a go.
I've added Microsoft's Office 2004 update link to the top post. This purports to solve the problem, though I've not tried it, so please do feedback if you give it a go.
Works well for me, so thanks for the tip. You need to download both the Office 11.5.0 update and a separate Open XML converter -- about 100 MB all told -- but installation was trouble-free and I can now open and save .docx files from within Mac Word 2004.
Also you can use google docs if you have a gmail email account.
You can create upload word/excel files if you dont fancy using microsoft
Although there are both about the same size in relation to taking over the internet etc etc
Google docs doesn't appear to be relevant to the OP. I.e. it can't handle docx files. In other words (as far as I know) google docs is NOT a way to open docx files.
"She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss
Last edited by superscaper; 02-07-2008 at 2:52 PM..
Can someone help me out please. I've downloaded open office and it does serve some purposes. however, I've put my CV on it and tried to send it out as an attachment via e-mail but firms say they can't open it because its not word. All this faffing about is driving me nuts. Can't I just download Word for free from anywhere?
I'm a non techie! Have Windows xp and outdated MS Works on an old pc. Sometimes if I email documents,they cannot be opened/converted by others. Is it possible for me to get either MS Word or MS Office.If so,what advantages are there?Will it affect my stored documents on my pc? BTBW
I'm a non techie! Have Windows xp and outdated MS Works on an old pc. Sometimes if I email documents,they cannot be opened/converted by others. Is it possible for me to get either MS Word or MS Office.If so,what advantages are there?Will it affect my stored documents on my pc? BTBW
You're better off posting your own thread (not really relevant to this one). Of course it's possible to get MS Word or MS Office but up to you whether you think they're worth the money or better off getting the free Open Office. The reason others are struggling with attachments you send is because Works saves in it's own formats and either the person receiving has to also have Works or faff about trying to convert the file formats. At least Open Office can save in standard (older) MS Office formats that most people can open.
If you can afford it MS Office 2007 is far better than Open Office. If you've got anything other than Office 2003 (i.e. older or the restrictive Works etc) then change over to Open Office as it'll be superior.
"She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss
Open Office v2.4.1 doesn't yet support docx (I believe that's coming in v2.5) however you can install the free Office Compatibility Pack on a machine with Open Office to add support.
So does this definitely work with Open Office only installed to enable it to open docx files? - ie without MS Office/Word?
---I Shop Therefore I Am ---
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You're better off posting your own thread (not really relevant to this one). Of course it's possible to get MS Word or MS Office but up to you whether you think they're worth the money or better off getting the free Open Office. The reason others are struggling with attachments you send is because Works saves in it's own formats and either the person receiving has to also have Works or faff about trying to convert the file formats. At least Open Office can save in standard (older) MS Office formats that most people can open.
If you can afford it MS Office 2007 is far better than Open Office. If you've got anything other than Office 2003 (i.e. older or the restrictive Works etc) then change over to Open Office as it'll be superior.
I would like to remain application agnostic here and just point out the facts. Its not really in Microsoft's interest to make this easy for you to do or to make Office inter-operable with any other application, like OpenOffice (and why not: its their business). However with a little effort all of the above can be achieved, for free, rather than buying a commodity application for a hundred-odd quid. One application being 'better' than another is a matter of preference, but if the main criteria is cost, which I assume is why people are reading this, then OOo is by far the 'better' choice.
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Pls be nice to all MoneySavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps. Take care over copyright. Use excerpts and links rather than copying long text. This site asserts copyright on all comments posted on the board.
Pls be nice to all MoneySavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps.
Ways to open MS Office 2007 docx files for free.
re: MS OFFICE 2007
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