To save older documents so they can still be read by older versions? (Keep in mind that we're talking the level of difficulty for my parents, rather than me.)

I think that you can set it to automatically save documents in .doc format, as opposed to .docx.

I have already received a number of documents that I can't read. This is from both professors and authors. Both of whom I put on par with parents in terms of computer literacy.

Is it even possible to still buy older versions of office? Retail, I mean, not used.

You should be able to save files in earlier formats. Word 2007 is a bitch to work with.

You should be able to save files in earlier formats. Word 2007 is a bitch to work with.

I like to think this is why we still have Word 2003. And not because my multinational corporation is cheap or something.

Megan, there is a free program that will translate, someone here posted about it. Also, if you have a really old version of Word, for some reason it will open 2007 documents. I have an old copy of Word 2000 that I use at home (so long ago that there's no activation key), and it opens 2007 documents fine. There was no fancy formatting, so I don't know if it would transfer the formatting, but it opened just fine.

oh, and Word 2007 is confusing and annoying.

I was able to figure out how to read (and print) them eventually, but it took some poking around. I'm willing and able to do that, but others I work with won't/don't bother.

I have to reformat most things I get (see above re: computer litaracy) so I don't care so much about that.

You should be able to save files in earlier formats. Word 2007 is a bitch to work with.

Yeah, but it's like Vista. That's what they put on new computers these days.

I have seen undergraduates mystified by Word 2007 - they can't find the "Save" command. I would not recommend it for parents if it can be avoided.