The X-files: How not to get tangled up by the new versions of PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.

Microsoft released new versions of its Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) that use a new file format. The new versions have an "x" at the end of the file name (e.g., myslides.pptx) compared to the older versions (myslides.ppt). There are some advantages to using the new Office 2007 versions, but at least one really big disadvantage: older versions of the software cannot open the new files with the "x" at the end.

Notably, Fletcher Allen computers, such as the ones in the CCTS Education suite on the 4th floor of the Given Courtyard, including the computer in FRED (S461), have the older Office 2003 software and may not be able to read your files. So, if you plan to bring files from another computer with the new versions of the software, save your work as a "97-2003" file. (You can read these back into the newer software for later editing as needed.)

I will also try to get converter programs loaded onto the computers.

UVM students, staff and faculty can get the new Office 2007 software for $10 at the Computer Depot in the Davis Student Center. Bring your CatCard ID.