Turn Off Compatibility Mode in Word 2010

Anonymous

Original Title: Word 2010 - Compatibility Mode

Hi,

I've been reading the threads here trying to find exactly how to turn off this annoying compatibility mode in Word. I'm NOT using Outlook which seems to have been the culprit for some. These word docs are also automatically saving as Read-Only I guess, as I'm not choosing that option in the Backstage view

The file was originally a 2007 word file but I transferred it to my new/current laptop with Office 2010. I had been working with the file regularly on this system without any problems but in the last two weeks, this problem started. I didn't re-set anything or upload any new software, etc. Is it some sort of glitch from an upgrade?

I've even copied the manuscript to a new word doc and eventually it reverts to an unplanned file name (wd000006) and Read Only Compatibility mode.

I have to re-save the file each time with a new name.

Thanks in advance for you help.

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Anonymous

[Compatibility Mode] is Word's way of telling you that the document file was originally created in an earlier version. As a result, the file structure will not support some features normally available in this version of Word (so you shouldn't panic when you can't access it). Compatibility mode display has always been there when working with "old" files, you simply may not have noticed it.

One option you have is to let word "convert" to 2010 file structure. Do it this way:

Open one of these compatibility mode docs, note the displayed [compatibility mode] message
Note: in the Home tab / Font group / look at the Text Effects "A" icon, it is light grey and unavailable
Click on File tab
it should open in the Info option, if it doesn't, click on Info
Click on the Convert button
(optionally) Word displays an informational dialog box. There is a check box option to not display it, personally I prefer to let it continue display, make your own choice.
click on OK if the dialog displayed
Note that the [compatibility mode] message is gone, but the extension is still DOC
Note that the Text Effects "A" icon is light blue and available
now do a File tab / Save
Note that now after doing a SAVE, not SAVE AS!, the file extension is now DOCX

Does this solve your problem?

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Jay Freedman 208.2K Volunteer Moderator

When Word 2010 creates all new blank documents in Compatibility Mode, that means your Normal.dotm template (the one used as the base for new blank documents) is in Compatibility Mode. This is usually the result of upgrading from an earlier version as opposed to a clean install.

To fix it, you must open the Normal.dotm file itself to convert it to Word 2010 format. That means using the File > Open dialog instead of the File > New dialog. There are two things you must do in that dialog:

Make sure the file type dropdown (next to the file name box) is set to either "All Files (*.*)" or "All Word Documents (*.docx;*.docm;*.dotx;*.dotm;....)" or "All Word Templates (*.dotx;*.dotm)". Any other setting will hide the file you're looking for.
You have to locate the folder that contains Normal.dotm. In Windows 7 that's usually C:\Users<your name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates, but it's different in Windows XP, and could be different if you've used the Options >Advanced > File Locations dialog to change the User Templates location. Also, the AppData folder and everything under it is marked as Hidden by default, so you might not be able to see it if you try to navigate the folders. The quickest way to get there is to go to the address bar at the top of the Open dialog and type in %AppData%\Microsoft\Templates and press Enter.

Once you locate Normal.dotm in the Open dialog, click it and click the Open button. If the Word title bar now says "Normal.dotm [Compatibility Mode]", click File and click the Convert button. Then save and close the file. All future new blank documents should no longer be in Compatibility Mode.

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78 additional answers

Anonymous

2014-02-26T22:01:09+00:00

This was very helpful - fixed my problem!

thank you!!
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Anonymous

2014-02-11T23:40:30+00:00

Hey Warmdog:

On the internet, you can be Frank, or Surely or anyone you wish ... <grin>

Don't give up. You have taken a good first step, finding a place to ask questions.

If you are not yet familiar with Office, you should look into taking some introductory courses, say in Windows and Word. In many places you can get short night or day school classes at various computer companies or community colleges or community clubs or even sometimes libraries for $100-200 per course. Or you may be able to get the courses through an organization you belong to ie for the blind or the elderly or parkinsons. You can also find free courses online using google or bing searches (I can provide some links if you want some learning resources).

Your specific problem, potential file corruption is most likely beyond your current skills.

Is this what you see:

Word 2007 ribbon with the "Pizza Button" highlighted

Or do you see something like this:

Word 2010 Ribbon with the File Tab highlighted.

Assuming you really have Word 2007 Here is what you are looking for to get to the Options dialog

And here is the Word 2007 Options Dialog

From here you have click on the appropriate option in the left column then search for the specific option. It can be a challenge even for someone with full sight to find the options buried in the long list.
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Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2014-02-11T22:34:43+00:00

The four square boxes logo (sometimes referred to as the "Pizza Button" or the "Office Button") indicates that you are using Office 2007 and in that case, when you click that button, in the bottom border of the dialog that appears will be an item "Word Options". If you click on "Word Options" that is the same as clicking the File tab of the ribbon in Word 2010 and then on Options.

When you open this "lost, trapped. blank document" what is the filename that appears at the top of the screen?

It will be something like

filename.doc [Compatibility Mode} - Microsoft Word
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