When saving a document in a Microsoft office 2007 application such as MS Word or PowerPoint, earlier operating system versions of Windows will not allow you to open your document for editing unless the Save Option is changed. Follow these instructions in order to make your document viewable and editable in previous windows operating system versions (97, XP, 2003...).

1. Click on the Office button in the document
    window located in the upper left hand side of     the screen.

3. In the Word Options window:

a. click on the Save tab.

b. In the Save files in this format drop down     menu choose Word 97-2003 Documents     (*.doc)

c. Click on the OK button to accept the     changes.

Once these changes have been made, everytime    a document is saved, it will save in the Word    97-2003 document format. This will allow you    to view and edit your document in both Vista    and earlier window operating systems.

* These changes must be made to all     applications individually.