Converting documents to a newer format

When you're using a version of Word that's newer than the version used to create your document, you typically see Compatibility Mode in the title bar. Compatibility Mode temporarily disables new or enhanced Word features so that the document can still be edited by people using the earlier version of Word. Compatibility Mode also preserves the layout of the document.

Converting the document to the newer format lets you use newer features, but conversion might create difficulties for people who are using earlier versions of Word to edit the document. If you convert the document, they might not be able to work with certain portions of the document that were created in the newer versions of Word.

Newer versions Office 2010

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Find which Compatibility Mode you are in

When you open a document in Word 2016 or Word 2013 that was created in Word 2007 or Word 2010, you see Compatibility Mode in the title bar of the document window. If you open a Word 2013 document in Word 2016, you don't see Compatibility Mode because Word 2013 and Word 2016 are already compatible.

When you open a document in Word 2016 or Word 2013, it's in one of these modes:

• Word 2013-2016 mode

• Word 2013 mode

• Word 2010 Compatibility Mode

• Word 2007 Compatibility Mode

If you see Compatibility Mode in the title bar, here's how you can find out which mode you're in:

1. Select File > Info.

2. In the Inspect Document section, select Check for Issues > Check Compatibility.

3. Click Select versions to show. A check mark that appears next to the name of the mode that the document is in.

Convert a document to the Word 2016 or Word 2013 mode

You can either work in Compatibility Mode or you can convert your document to the Word 2016 or Word 2013 file format. The Word Convert command clears the compatibility options so that the document layout appears as it would if it had been created in Word 2016 or Word 2013.

1. Click the File tab.

2. Do one of the following:

   • To convert the document without saving a copy, click Info, and then click Convert.

   • To create a new copy of the document in Word 2016 or Word 2013 mode, click Save As, and then choose the location and the folder where you want to save the new copy. Type a new name for the document in the File name box, and then click Word Document in the Save as type list. Make sure the box next to Maintain compatibility with previous versions of Word is cleared.

Support for Office 2010 ended on October 13, 2020

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About Compatibility Modes

When you open a document in Word 2010, it is in one of two modes:

• Word 2010

• Word 2007 Compatibility Mode

If you are in Word 2007 Compatibility Mode, the words (Compatibility Mode) appear in the document's title bar, after the file name.

If the title bar does not display (Compatibility Mode), you are in Word 2010 mode and all features are available.

Note: If you are using Microsoft Word Starter 2010, be aware that not all the features listed for Word 2010 are supported in Word Starter. For more information about the features available in Word Starter, see Word Starter feature support.

Convert a document to Word 2010 mode

You can either work in Compatibility Mode or you can convert your document to the Word 2010 file format. The Word Convert command clears the compatibility options so that the document layout appears as it would if it had been created in Word 2010.

Converting your document lets you access the new and enhanced features in Word 2010.

1. Click the File tab.

2. Do one of the following:

   • To convert the document without saving a copy, click Info, and then click Convert.

   • To create a new copy of the document in Word 2010 mode, click Save As, and then choose the location and the folder where you want to save the new copy. Type a new name for the document in the File name box, and click Word Document in the Save as type list.