Open a document in an earlier version of Word

If you are using Microsoft Office Word 2007 or Word 2010, you can open .docx or .docm files that were created in Word 2016 and 2013. However, a few newer features may not be supported in older versions or they may not be editable. For example, equations in later files are converted to images in earlier versions of Word, which can't be edited.

2010 2007

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Here's a list of document elements in files created in Word 2013 and 2016 that work differently when they're opened in Word 2010:

• Apps for Office: The app doesn't run, but it will be available if the document is upgraded to Word 2013 or 2016.

• Web Video: The video is permanently converted to a picture with a hyperlink to the web video.

• Comment replies and comments marked "done": Comment replies become top-level individual comments, and all comments marked "done" appear as regular comments. If the comments are not changed, the original state will be restored if the document is upgraded in Word 2016 or 2013.

• Headings that are collapsed by default: Headings are expanded by default; the property is permanently removed.

• Content controls: Repeating section content controls are converted to static text; XML mappings on rich text content controls are permanently removed.

Documents created in Word 2010

Here's a list of document elements in files created in Word 2010 that work differently when they're opened in Word 2007:

• New numbering formats: Converted to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, ...).

• New shapes and text boxes: Converted to the effects available in Word 2007.

• Text effects: Permanently removed unless the effects are applied by using a custom style. If they are applied by using the style, the text effects with shapes and text boxes are converted to effects available in Word 2007.

  Effects will appear again if the document is reopened in Word 2010.

• Alternative text in tables: Removed.

• OpenType features: Removed.

• Blocking authors: Blocks applied to regions of the document are removed.

• WordArt effects: Removed.

• Content controls: Converted to static content.

Documents created in Word 2013, 2016

Here's a list of document elements in files created in Word 2013 and 2016 that work differently when they're opened in Word 2007:

Word 2016 or 2013 document elements	When opened in Word 2007
Apps for Office	The app doesn't run, but it will be available when the document's upgraded in Word 2016 or 2013.
Web Video	The video is permanently converted to a picture with a hyperlink to the web video.
Comment replies and comments marked "done"	Comment replies become top-level individual comments, and all comments marked "done" will appear as regular comments. If the comments are not changed, the original state will be restored when the document is upgraded in Word 2016 or 2013.
Headings that are collapsed by default	Headings will be expanded by default; the property is permanently removed.
New numbering formats: Uppercase Turkish (Latin) {A, B, C, Ç, D, …} Lowercase Turkish (Latin) {a, b, c, ç, d, …} Uppercase Bulgarian (Cyrillic) {А,Б,В,Г,Д, …} Lowercase Bulgarian (Cyrillic) {а, б, в, г, д, …} Uppercase Greek {Α, Β, Γ, Δ, Ε, …} Lowercase Greek {α, β, γ, δ, ε,…} 3-digit fixed format {001…NNN} 4-digit fixed format {0001…NNNN} 5-digit fixed format {00001…NNNNN}	Lists using the new numbering formats are converted to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, ...).
New shape and text box effects (most of the effects in the Format Shape pane)	Shapes and text boxes are converted to effects available in this format. If the shape isn't changed, it will be restored when the document is upgraded in Word 2016 or 2013.
Text effects like shadow, reflection, glow, and 3-D	Effects on text are permanently removed unless the effects are applied by using a custom style. If they are applied by using the style, the text effects will appear again when the document is reopened in Word 2016 or 2013.
Alternative text on tables	Removed.
OpenType features such as ligatures, number forms, stylistic sets, and contextual alternates	Removed.
Blocking authors	Blocks applied to regions of the document are removed.
WordArt effects like Text Outline and Text Shadow	Removed.
Content controls	Repeating section content controls and check box content controls are converted to static text; XML mappings on rich text content controls are permanently removed.