MS Word compatability when sending docs

[gats15]

Hi ive upgraded my PC & now use Win 10. My old MS word will not work with win 10.

My question - Is it true that newer word versions will not open on older versions? I need to do a CV and if I'm sending it to potential employers / agencies that have the older version on win 7 or even vista / XP, they will not be able to read it?

Is it better to then get the oldest version that works with win 10 i.e MS office 2010 to avoid this from happening?

 

[BC_Programmer]

Instead of sending doc or .docx files, you can send .PDF files instead. They can be viewed for free, with a lot of different software which should all show it accurately.

[gats15]

Cheers but I would rather send a word file, its easier to edit on both sides. What advice would you give to ensure max compatability?

[Rustys]

What version of Word are you using?

My question - Is it true that newer word versions will not open on older versions?

This is false I have never had any issue opening a older version of word document in a newer version of word.

You can do a Save As and change the file version.

[Geek-9pm]

MS word gives you the option of saving the DOC as an older format.

Look here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Word
Look in the Cross-version compatibility section.

Opening a Word Document file in a version of Word other than the one with which it was created can cause incorrect display of the document. The document formats of the various versions change in subtle and not so subtle ways

Otherwise, use the RTF standard.

[Allan]

MS Word is backward compatible and will open older versions.

[soybean]

Is it better to then get the oldest version that works with win 10 i.e MS office 2010 to avoid this from happening?

I  have MS Office 2007 on my laptop which has been upgraded to Windows 10.

[camerongray]

When sending out a CV, always send it as a PDF - If I see a PDF it looks way more professional than a word document. 

The whole point of PDFs is for sending to people where you don't know what software they use.  Not everybody has Microsoft Word, most people do but not everyone - Basically everyone will have a facility to open PDFs.

The recipient shouldn't be editing your CV so editing is just for you - Save it as a .docx on your machine then export as PDF when sending it and keep the .docx for future modifications.

[Lorraine walsh]

usually what I have experienced is that they normally convert the docs. if however the issue persists, you'd have to open it in original one there's not any other way.

[grote]

If you have to use a new version of word, it will be fine. The problem is if you have to use an older version.

[plodr]

gats15, no one receiving your resume should be editing it.

Speaking as someone who receives files from a Zoning Officer, lawyers and a printing company, I appreciate it when we receive them as pdf files. We have 8 computers in the house and needless to say, we do not have Office installed on all of them. In fact, my husband prefers WordPerfect.
It is nice to have a quick look at a file without turning on a computer that can read docx or even doc files.

[soybean]

If you have to use a new version of word, it will be fine. The problem is if you have to use an older version.

No, that would not be a problem.  This has already by stated:

MS Word is backward compatible and will open older versions.

To reiterate, if he had an older version that created .doc, not docx, files, that would not be a problem since versions of Office beginning with Office 2007, when Microsoft introduced the .docx format, can still read .doc files.