Favorite games and familiar programs cannot be replaced with new ones. When Microsoft releases a new OS, compatibility between programs from previous ones is a feature that developers think about first.
But sometimes trying to start the old one results in an error. Are Microsoft employees really that careless about their jobs?Collapse
How to run old software on a new OS
Despite numerous changes in Windows 8.1 and 10, they support programs for XP and 7 with rare exceptions. Windows 8 compatibility problems do occur, but this is 1 case out of 100. Similar things happen with applications for XP and OSes released earlier. The problem encountered is the inability to launch an old game.
What is compatibility mode? If the software or 3D toy was made for win2000, then it probably won’t work on Vista. The point is the different OS structures. Software is created to work in a specific environment. When it gets into an unfamiliar one, it does not start or functions with errors. Windows compatibility is a way to “slip” into an application data from the old OS that is present in the new one. But sometimes the need to launch such functionality is unfounded. Software under development regularly receives new installers. There is no point in running an old antivirus on eight or ten when it has already been updated 10 times. So first check if there is a new “build”. The exception is for programs whose previous releases still contain useful features
, for some reason not implemented in updates. In order for the old application to work correctly in the new OS and without failures, it is recommended to set the compatibility mode. This is not a special program for launching old games or software: everything is implemented using standard Windows tools.
Outdated programs and games in G8 (or 8.1) How to make the game compatible with Windows 8? Do you have a retro game lying around? old program context menu. Pay attention to the “Properties” item. Launch and select the Compatibility tab.
This window provides the necessary parameters to help ensure compatibility on Windows 8 for legacy applications.Running old programs on Windows 7 will be easier if you know for sure what OS your game was released for, then for the “Run the program in compatibility mode for...” option, select this operating system. According to statistics, 90% of applications that conflict with Windows 8 and 8.1 work without problems in compatibility with XP Service Pack 2 or 3. Select the desired option, click “Apply” and “OK”. If it doesn’t start the first time, try other options, don’t forget to click on the “Apply” button.
If you are wondering how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 7, then simply follow the above steps in reverse order. But that's only basic setup. The “Compatibility” tab in the application shortcut properties also offers advanced settings:
- low color mode;
- lowering display resolution;
- Disable image scaling for modern screens.
Color reduction
Games and applications for legacy operating systems were created to run on computers whose monitors had an image resolution of 640X480 or 800X600 pixels. Modern video cards and monitors offer resolutions of up to 2000-3000 pixels. You need to configure Compatibility View settings. It is recommended to run such software in color. By activating the mode, you will run the program at the resolution for which it is intended. In the “Compatibility” tab, check the box next to the corresponding item and select the appropriate color option - 8 or 16 bits.
Using a different screen resolution
Old games were created for screens with a resolution of 640X480. This resolution is supported in modern monitor models, but is not used. Sometimes the Windows 7 compatibility problem lies precisely in the stretched image.
To run old games on the new OS, apply the “Use screen resolution 640X480” optionDisabling picture scaling
If computer program or a video game was intended to be launched on monitors 10-20 years ago, on new displays they are distorted - the image is stretched and smeared. To prevent this from happening, check the box next to “Disable image scaling...”. Now the picture looks correct.
Is it possible to be completely incompatible? Windows application 7 Not often. It is not recommended to use compatibility mode for the following applications:
- antiviruses;
- garbage cleaners;
- hard drive utilities;
- tweakers.
This is a risk of compromising the stability of the OS.
Automatically apply settings
Windows contains special software that determines the appropriate correct launch mode for outdated applications and games. This good check compatibility with Windows 7, 8 or 10. To launch, use the context menu of the installer file. At the top, click on the line “Fix compatibility problems”.
A new window will open, offering two options: using recommended parameters and diagnosticsThe first point is fine. Select: A new window will open showing suggested options for the program to start correctly. The “Test program” item will help you test the proposed parameters in action. Clicking the button will launch the application with these parameters. If OK, save the result. Now the application automatically launches as it should, with the necessary options.
The diagnostics item helps you select options for correct launch, based on problems with the application.
By editing the registry
You can enable Windows 7, 8 or 10 compatibility using the registry. This method is used in rare cases, as there are plenty of other methods. For curious users, to run the game in compatibility mode or a legacy application:
- Click on "Start".
- In the “Run” field, enter cmd and press Enter.
- In the window that opens command line type regedit and Enter.
- Right-click on the empty space on the right half of the window and select “Create”.
- Here, choose to create a “String Parameter”.
- The parameter name is the full path to the executable file of the program for which you are setting up compatibility with Windows 7, for example.
- Now right-click on the parameter name and open “Edit”.
- In the “Value” line, enter one of the proposed options:
- WIN7RTM - to install compatibility with the “seven”;
- VISTARTM - for Vista;
- VISTASP1 - Vista with Service Pack 1;
- VISTASP2 - Vistas with Service Pack 2;
- WINXPSP2 - for "expi" with service pack 2;
- WINXPSP3 - "ex pi" with service pack 3;
- WIN2000 - for Windows 2000;
- NT4SP5 - for Windows NT version 4;
- WIN98 - for Windows 98;
- WIN95 - Windows 95.
- Do you intend to open the program in compatibility mode with administrator rights? After the selection above, add the word RUNASADMIN (separated by a space).
- Now find the branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers.
- Repeat steps 5 - 10 for this branch.
- Save and restart your computer.
Now you know how to enable compatibility mode on Windows 7, 8 10.
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If the computer is used by two or three or another number of users under separate accounts, it is recommended to apply program compatibility settings for “accounts”. Otherwise, if you boot under a different login, you will have to configure it from scratch. To do this, log into the OS as administrator account. Applying compatibility mode using the first method (in the shortcut menu), apply the “Change settings for all users” item. Now the program runs with the same characteristics on all accounts.
Users are faced with cases when outdated software does not start after the manipulations have been done and no program for game compatibility on Windows 7 helps. But this does not mean that there are no chances to use a “prehistoric” program or play a retro game. What to do? Answer - ! This is a program that creates an environment for running an OS within an OS. On Windows 10, you can run Windows 2000 or XP and install the application or toy of interest in a virtual machine in its native environment. Example virtual machine- Virtualbox program. This method is reliable and guarantees full compatibility. For trouble-free operation of the virtual machine, you need a PC with advanced technical characteristics.
If you decide to find out how to enable or disable compatibility mode in the Windows operating system, then you have definitely come to the right place. But first, let's answer this question: what is compatibility mode? What might it be needed for?
So, compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10 is a special feature that allows you to run an application designed for previous versions operating system. Perhaps this description turned out to be quite complex for you, so let's look at this in more detail using a specific example.
So, a certain developer (let's call him Valery) created the VolterSide program (the name of the program was taken arbitrarily) and released this product for the Windows XP operating system. For users of this software everything was fine until it was time to update your computer or laptop to a more advanced version of the OS under named Windows 7 (or 10). As it turned out, VolterSide does not open in installed system. Users involuntarily begin to wonder: why the application does not work on the new modern system when the old one opens everything perfectly?
The fact is that Valery did not release an update for his product that would introduce support for new operating systems. His program remained to live in the past. But what should those people do who need modernity in terms of the operating system? They won’t use Windows XP, for example, because VolterSide only works in this version Windows systems. This is where compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10 can come to your rescue.
But it is also worth paying attention to the fact that this function will help not only in the operation of applications, but also drivers. That is, if you have speakers (keyboard, monitor - whatever), and for some reason they stopped working after updating the OS, then you can try to launch and install their drivers in compatibility mode.
How to enable compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10?
Troubleshooting
Well, we have reached the main issue of today's discussion. Let’s not delay for too long and move straight to your actions:
- We find a shortcut (or original file) for launching a program or driver that you could not launch.
- Right-click on it and go to “Troubleshoot compatibility issues.”
- Now you need to carefully read what the help windows offer. First, we select the operating mode of our assistant: program diagnostics. Click “Next”.
- A window asks you what problems you noticed during startup. In our case, the first option about running the application in previous versions of Windows is suitable.
- Next, we select the same version of the operating system in which everything was great for you. For example, it was Windows Vista. So we click on it, and then click “Next”. If you are not sure which version was suitable for the software (for example, when downloading the application to your computer for the first time), then you will have to try each one.
- Now the troubleshooting window will show a small report about what we have selected. If everything is correct, then click on the “Launch program” button.
- After successfully launching the application, be sure to save these settings for the program. Otherwise, try other solutions or send a report to Microsoft. Unfortunately, the chance that they will answer you is very small. But if there are enough such letters to them, they can fix the problem in future updates.
Changing settings manually. We enable or disable the mode ourselves
The previous method, of course, has not been canceled, but it takes some time. If you do not need the system to analyze and test the program itself, then you can configure the parameters yourself manually. The method is practically no different from the previous one in terms of how to set compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10. You can also not only enable it, but also safely disable it. So, let's begin:
- As in the previous instructions, right-click on the shortcut or the original program. But now you will need to select the last item “Properties”.
- In the window that appears, open the “Compatibility” tab and click the checkbox next to the item about running the program in compatibility mode.
- In the field located just below, you need to select the operating system version.
- You can set some parameters as needed (Use 256 colors, special screen resolution, and others). This may also play a role when running in compatibility mode.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK”. Now you can try to run the program or driver.
- To disable this function, you just need to uncheck the box that you checked in the second step.
Does not help? No problem!
In fact, this mode helps in isolated cases. Because well-known manufacturers and developers immediately prepare almost all of their programs to work with new operating systems. Otherwise, it may happen that the problems are not at all due to the fact that the software is intended for other versions of the OS. Then you can try to carry out diagnostics (first instructions, second point). Only this time we choose not the first option, but put a tick in front of the others. So, by the method of elimination, you can identify the real problem.
Results
To summarize today's discussion of how to enable or disable compatibility mode in Windows 10 or 7, we can say the following: the function is really useful and necessary. It can help when other means are either unavailable or powerless. Therefore, do not underestimate the built-in capabilities of the operating room Microsoft systems and put a cross on them. Share in the comments: were you able to run the program or driver in compatibility mode? If not, which method helped you?
After installation new version Excel, you can find out how you can continue to work with workbooks created in an earlier version of Excel, how you can keep these workbooks accessible to users who do not have the current version installed Excel application, and how the difference in versions will affect the work.
To ensure backward compatibility with earlier versions of Excel, such as Excel 97 through 2003, use one of the methods described below to workbook between different versions.
Working in compatibility mode. Workbooks created in earlier versions of Excel can be opened in compatibility mode. In this case, the file format is preserved, and you can work with the document again in previous version applications. Compatibility mode is not available for Excel 2007 workbooks.
Checking the book for compatibility. If you need to share a workbook with people using earlier versions of Excel while maintaining the current file format, you can check whether the data is compatible with previous versions of the application. Depending on the results, you can make any necessary changes to the document to avoid losing information and ensure that the information is accurate when you open the file in older versions of Excel.
In compatibility mode
In Excel 2010 and later, when you open a workbook created in Excel 97–2003, it automatically opens in compatibility mode and Compatibility Mode appears in square brackets next to the file name in the Excel window title bar.
File format when running in compatibility mode
Any new or improved Excel features are not available in Compatibility Mode, which prevents loss of data and accuracy when you open a workbook in an earlier version of Excel. Additionally, instead of using the current file format (.xlsx, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xltx, xltm;), the workbook is stored in Excel file 97-2003 (.xls), a file format that is supported in earlier versions of Excel.
Automatically enable compatibility mode
Unlike other Office programs such as Word, you can't manually turn on Compatibility Mode in Excel and don't have the option to turn on all the new features when you work in a workbook opened in Compatibility Mode.
Exiting compatibility mode
Open a new Excel workbook using file converters in earlier versions of Excel
Certain updates and converters are available on Office.com that will help you open an Excel workbook in an earlier version of Excel (Excel 97 - 2003). If you have not yet installed updates and converters, when you try to open an Excel workbook, you may be prompted to do so.
Once you install the updates and converters so you can edit and save them without having to upgrade to a version of Excel, you can open the workbook. New version-specific and formatting capabilities may not appear in earlier versions of Excel, but they are still available when you save the workbook and reopen it in a newer version. Additional information about features and formatting that is not shown in the article.
Downloading and using file converters
If you have an earlier version of Excel installed on your computer, download the Compatibility Pack Microsoft Office from the Microsoft Office Downloads website and install the updates and converters needed to open Excel workbooks.
Open the workbook in earlier versions of Excel (Excel 97 - 2003).
New features not supported in earlier versions of Excel
Not all new features are supported in earlier versions of Excel. If you are working in compatibility mode or need to save in Excel 97 - 2003 (.xls) aworkbook format, the Compatibility Checker can help identify issues that may cause a significant loss of functionality or a minor loss of accuracy in earlier versions of Excel. To avoid data loss or functionality in an earlier version of Excel, you can then make the necessary changes in the current workbook.
The Compatibility Checker runs automatically when you save a workbook in Excel 97–2003 format. However, to ensure that your workbook is compatible with the current version of Excel, you must run a manual compatibility check the first time you save the workbook. You can then specify that the Compatibility Checker runs automatically every time the workbook is saved. Learn more about how to run a compatibility check: .
The Compatibility Checker displays detected issues, many of which have buttons available Find And Reference. Once problems are identified, you can find all their manifestations and learn how to fix them. When it runs automatically, the tool also indicates which version of Excel is likely to have compatibility issues.
Lack of support for some worksheet features may result in the following compatibility issues, as well as significant loss of functionality or minor loss of data accuracy.
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This workbook contains data in cells outside the row and column range of the selected file format. Data types longer than 65,536 rows high by 256 columns (IV) will not be saved. Data reference formulas in this area will return #REF! Error. |
What does this mean. Starting with Excel 2007, the worksheet size is 1,048,576 by 16 rows high, by 384 columns, but Excel 97 – 2003 is only 65,536 rows high, by 256 columns wide. In Excel 97 - 2003, data in cells outside the range of these rows and columns will be lost. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Search To detect out-of-limits cells and ranges, select them and then place them in a valid range of columns and rows or on another sheet using the commands Cut And Insert.
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What does this mean. The script on the worksheet refers to a cell outside the row and column limit in Excel 97–2003 (65,536 rows by 256 columns) and is no longer available when resaving a workbook in an earlier version of Excel format. What needs to be done. In Script Manager, find a script that contains a reference that is outside the row and column range of the previous version of Excel, and then change it so that it is within the range. On the tab Data in Group Working with data select items "What if" analysis And Script Manager. In field Scenarios Find the script that is causing the compatibility issue and change the link. |
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What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you can create a custom calendar in international formats such as Hebrew Lunar, Japanese Lunar, Chinese Lunar, Saka, Zodiac Chinese, Korean Zodiac, Rokuyou Lunar, and Korean Lunar. However, Excel 97–2003 does not support the following calendar formats. What needs to be done. |
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The book contains dates in a calendar format that is not supported by the selected file format. These dates should be changed as Gregorian calendar dates. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you can use non-Western calendars, such as Thai (Buddhist) or Arabic (Hijri). In Excel 97–2003, these calendar types can only be changed to Gregorian. What needs to be done. To avoid loss of functionality, you must change the calendar format to match the language (or locale) supported in Excel 97-2003. |
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The number of data cells in the workbook exceeds that supported in earlier versions of Excel. You will not be able to open this workbook in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, the total number of available cell blocks (cluster) is limited by the amount of available random access memory. In Excel 97–2003, the total number of available clusters is limited to 64,000 clusters per instance of Excel. A block of cells includes 16 rows of a sheet. If all the rows of a worksheet contain data, there will be 4096 blocks of cells in that worksheet, and you can only have 16 of these sheets in a single instance of Excel (regardless of the number of open workbooks in Excel). What needs to be done. To ensure that the workbook does not exceed the 64000 distribution limit and can be opened in Excel 97–2003, you must run in compatibility mode after you save the workbook in Excel 97–2003 format. In compatibility mode, Excel saves information about the cluster of the active workbook. |
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One or more workbook cells contain infocurves. Datacurves will not be saved. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97–2007, sparklines that show trends in value series do not appear on the worksheet. However, all infocurves remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2010 or later. What needs to be done. Find to find cells with infocurves and make the necessary changes. For example, you can apply conditional formatting instead of infocurves or in addition to infocurves that would not appear in previous versions of Excel. |
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Earlier versions of Excel do not support color formatting for text in headers and footers. The text in the header and footer will appear as normal text. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you can apply formatting to text, header, and footer colors. You cannot use formatting color in headers and footers in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click To correct, if you want to remove color formatting.
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The workbook contains sheets that define headers and footers for the first or even-numbered pages, which will not appear in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you have the option to display different headers and footers on even-numbered pages or on the first page. In Excel 97–2003, you cannot display the even page or first headers and footers, but they remain available to display when you open the workbook again in Excel 2007 and later versions. What needs to be done. If you frequently save workbooks in Excel 97–2003 file format, it is best not to set headers and footers for even-numbered pages or the first page. |
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Some cells or styles contain formatting that is not supported by the selected file format. These formats will be converted to the closest format available. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, various cell formatting and styling options are available, such as special effects and shadows. These options are not available in Excel 97-2003. What needs to be done. When you save a workbook, Excel uses the closest format available, which may end up being the same format as some other object. To avoid duplicate formats, you can change or remove unsupported cell formats and styles before saving your workbook in Excel 97-2003 file format. |
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The number of unique cell formats in this workbook exceeds that allowed by the selected file format. Some cell formats will not be saved. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you can use 64,000 unique cell formats, up from a maximum of 4,000 in Excel 97–2003. Unique cell formats include any combination of formatting options applied in the workbook. What needs to be done. To avoid losing certain cell formats in Excel 97-2003, you can remove some of the least important ones. |
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The number of unique font formats in this workbook exceeds that allowed by the selected file format. Some font formats will not be saved. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, there are 1,024 global font types available, of which you can use up to 512 in a single workbook. Excel 97–2003 supports fewer unique font formats. What needs to be done. To avoid losing certain font formats in Excel 97-2003, you can remove some of the less important ones. |
For more information about resolving these compatibility issues, see the articles listed below.
Unsupported Excel spreadsheet functions
Unsupported conditional formatting features
Lack of support for some conditional formatting features may result in the following compatibility issues, as well as significant loss of functionality.
Significant loss of functionality | Solution |
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The number of conditional formats in some cells exceeds what is supported by the selected file format. In earlier versions of Excel, only the first three conditions will be displayed. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, conditional formatting can include up to 64 conditions, but in Excel 97–2003 only the first three conditions will be visible. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells that have conditional formatting applied using more than three conditions, and reduce the number of conditions to three. |
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Some cells belong to several conditional formatting ranges at once. In earlier versions of Excel, not all conditional formatting rules will be applied to such cells. These cells will use different conditional formatting. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97-2003, overlapping conditional formatting ranges are not supported, and conditional formatting does not display as expected. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2007 and later if they were changed in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with overlapping conditional formatting ranges and resolve the overlapping ranges. |
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Some workbook cells contain conditional formatting that is not supported in earlier versions of Excel, such as histograms, color bars, or icon sets. |
What does this mean. Excel 97-2003 does not use conditional formatting types such as histograms, color bars, icon sets, top or bottom values, above or below average values, unique or duplicate values, and table column comparisons to determine cell format. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2007 and later if they were changed in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditional formatting types that were introduced in Excel 2007 and later, and make the necessary changes to use only formatting types supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
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Some cells contain conditional formatting with the Stop if true option cleared. Earlier versions of Excel do not know this parameter, so execution will stop after the first true condition. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97-2003, conditional formatting without stopping when a condition is met is not an option. Conditional formatting is no longer applied after the first true condition. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2007 and later if they were changed in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells containing conditional formatting with the option unchecked Stop if true, and press the button To correct to resolve a compatibility issue. |
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One or more cells in this workbook contain conditional formatting for an unrelated range (for example, top/bottom N, top/bottom N%, above/below mean, or above/below standard deviation). This conditional formatting is not supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97–2003, conditional formatting is not displayed in nonadjacent cells. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2007 and later if they were changed in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditionally formatted unrelated ranges, and make the necessary changes to use the conditional formatting rules available in previous versions of Excel. |
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Some PivotTables in this workbook contain conditional formatting that may not work correctly in earlier versions of Excel. Conditional formatting rules may produce different results when using PivotTables in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. Conditional formatting results displayed in Excel 97 - 2003 PivotTable reports will differ from PivotTable reports created in Excel 2007 and later versions. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2007 and later if they were changed in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find PivotTable report fields that contain conditional formatting rules, and apply the conditional formatting rules available in previous versions of Excel. |
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One or more workbook cells contain conditional formatting that uses references to values located on other sheets. These conditional formats will not be supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97 - 2007, conditional formatting that references values in other sheets is not displayed. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditional formatting that reference values on other sheets, and apply conditional formatting without references to values on other sheets. |
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One or more workbook cells contain conditional formatting that uses the Text That Contains format, including a cell address or formula. These conditional formats will not be supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97–2007, using formulas on text that contains conditional formatting rules does not appear on the worksheet. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2010 and later if they were changed in Excel 97 through 2007. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditional formatting, which uses formulas for text with rules, and apply conditional formatting that is supported in previous versions of Excel. |
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One or more workbook cells contain a rule that will not be supported in earlier versions of Excel because there is a formula error in its range. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97 - 2007, conditional formatting that uses range-based rules may not display correctly on the worksheet when range-based rules contain errors in the formulas. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells containing range-based rules with formula errors and resolve the errors. |
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One or more workbook cells contain a set of conditional formatting icon placement that is not supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97–2003, conditional formatting that displays a specific icon set placement is not supported, and the icon set placement is not displayed on the worksheet. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2007 and later if they were changed in Excel 97–2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditional formatting that displays the icon set, and make the conditional formatting not display the icon set. |
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One or more workbook cells contain a histogram rule that uses the Negative Value option. These histograms are not supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97–2007, conditional formatting that contains a histogram rule that uses a negative value does not appear on the worksheet. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2010 and later if they were changed in Excel 97 through 2007. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditional formatting that contain negative histograms due to the fact that the dialog box Create a formatting rule the negative value format is set to Automatically or in the dialog box Setting negative values and axis for parameter Axis parameters value selected Automatically or Middle of the cell, and then make the changes you want. |
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One or more workbook cells contain conditional formatting that uses references to more than 8192 noncontiguous ranges of cells. Such conditional formats will not be saved. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97–2007, conditional formatting that references more than 8192 noncontiguous cell ranges does not appear in the worksheet. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2010 and later if they were changed in Excel 97 through 2007. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells with conditional formatting that reference more than 8192 noncontiguous cell ranges, and change the number of noncontiguous cell ranges referenced by conditional formatting. |
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Minor loss of accuracy |
Solution |
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One or more workbook cells contain a histogram rule that uses the fill, border, or direction of the histogram. These histograms are not supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. In Excel 97 - 2007, conditional formatting that contains a histogram rule that uses a solid color fill or border or left-to-right and right-to-left row direction options for histograms is not displayed in the worksheet. However, all conditional formatting rules remain available in the workbook and are applied when you reopen the workbook in Excel 2010 or later if they were changed in Excel 97–2007. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find cells that contain a conditional formatting histogram rule that uses a solid color fill or border, or the left-to-right and right-to-left direction options for the histogram bars, and make the necessary changes. |
For more information about resolving these compatibility issues, see the following article:
Lack of support for some charting features may result in the following compatibility issues, as well as significant loss of functionality.
Significant loss of functionality | Solution |
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The chart contains a title or data label that is longer than 255 characters. Characters after 255 are not saved. |
What does this mean Maximum length The maximum length of a chart title or axis label or data label in Excel 97–2003 is 255 characters. Data beyond this limit is lost. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find headers or data signatures that are longer than 255 characters. Select these headers or data labels and change them to 255 characters or less. |
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Some formatting in the charts in this workbook is not supported by earlier versions of Excel and will not appear. |
What does this mean. Custom shape fills, shape outlines, and shape effects (such as glow and bump effects or gradient formatting) are not supported in Excel 97-2003 and will not appear. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find unsupported custom formatting items, and change the formatting to something that is supported in earlier versions of Excel. |
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Earlier versions of Excel only support line colors from the color palette. When you open this workbook in an earlier version of Excel, all line colors will be replaced by the closest colors in the color palette, so some data series may appear as one color. |
What does this mean. Starting with Excel 2007, there is support for up to 16 million colors, but Excel 97–2003 limits the colors to those available on the standard palette. Colors that are not supported will be changed to the closest color in the standard palette, which may be a color that is already in use. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find unsupported colors and change the formatting of unsupported colors using the standard palette. |
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The workbook contains charts with more data points than can be displayed in earlier versions of Excel. When you open a workbook in an earlier version of Excel, only the first 32,000 data points for a 2D chart series and the first 4,000 data points for a 3D chart series are shown. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2010, you can use more than 32,000 data points per series in 2D charts and more than 4,000 data points per series in 3D charts. The limit on the number of data points in one series in Excel 97 - 2007 has been exceeded. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find charts with more data points per series than the limit, and reduce the number of points. |
Unsupported graphics, objects, and ActiveX controls
Lack of support for some graphics, object, and ActiveX controls may result in the following compatibility issues and may result in significant loss of functionality.
Significant loss of functionality | Solution |
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Any effects applied to this object will be removed. Text within the boundaries of the image will appear cropped. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you can use special effects, such as transparent drop shadows, that are not supported in Excel 97–2003. The special effects will be removed. Additionally, starting in Excel 2007, when you paste text in a shape that is larger than the shape, the text appears outside the shape's boundaries. Excel 97–2003 truncates this text. To avoid truncated text, you can adjust the size of the shape to better position it. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find objects with styling effects applied and remove those effects if necessary. |
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The object will become uneditable. |
What does this mean. Embedded objects created in Excel 2007 and later versions cannot be edited in Excel 97 - 2003. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find objects that contain text that cannot be changed, and make the necessary changes. |
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Uninitialized ActiveX controls cannot be saved in the specified file format. If you continue, these controls will be lost. |
What does this mean. If a workbook contains ActiveX controls that are considered unsafe to initialize, they will be lost if you save the workbook in an earlier version of Excel file format. You may need to mark these controls as safe to initialize. What needs to be done. When you open a workbook with uninitialized ActiveX controls that is set to high level security, you must first enable these controls using the Message Bar before initializing. |
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One or more book objects, such as shapes, WordArt, or text boxes, allow text to wrap around the object's borders. Earlier versions of Excel do not have this feature, so text that wraps around borders will be hidden. |
What does this mean. Starting in Excel 2010, you can display text boxes on objects, such as shapes and display text outside of those objects. In Excel 97 - 2007, text that extends beyond the boundary of an object will not be displayed. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find text boxes with text that extends beyond the shape's boundaries. Make the necessary changes to keep the text within the object, and then turn off text wrapping (right-click the shape, select menu Figure format and then in category Inscription uncheck the box Allow shape to overflow with text). |
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Minor loss of accuracy |
Solution |
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The workbook contains text fields with text formatting that is not available in earlier versions of Excel. Therefore, in earlier versions of Excel, the text in these fields will appear differently. |
What does this mean. Beginning with Excel 2007, you can use text box objects, such as shapes, that display more than one column of text. In Excel 97 - 2003, the text will be displayed, but in a different format. What needs to be done. In the Compatibility Checker, click Find to find text boxes that contain more than one column and make the necessary changes so that the text appears in only one column (right-click the shape, select menu Figure format and then in category Inscription click the button Columns). |
Unsupported customization features
Lack of support for some customization features may cause the following compatibility issues and may result in minor loss of data accuracy.
Minor loss of accuracy | Solution |
|---|---|
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The book contains a customizable panel quick access and/or special blocks user interfaces that are not supported by earlier versions of Excel. These settings will not be available in earlier versions of Excel. |
What does this mean. Because the Ribbon interface that was introduced in Office 2007 is significantly different from the menus and toolbars in Excel 97-2003, all of the Quick Access Toolbar customizations made in Excel 2007 and later 060392 are not available in Excel 97-2003. What needs to be done. In Excel 97-2003, you can add similar custom commands to toolbars and menus. |
Review unsupported features
Such unsupported features may cause compatibility issues and may also result in a slight loss of data accuracy.
Minor loss of accuracy | Solution |
|---|---|
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This workbook will be read-only and the shared workbook functionality will not be available if it is opened in an earlier version of Excel using a file converter. To enable users to use this workbook to collaborate in earlier versions of Excel, you must save it in the earlier version's format. |
What does this mean. If you enable the option Allow multiple users to edit a file...(Review tab > workbook access button), select users who, with Excel 97 - 2003, will not be able to use the file if it is in new file formatting (for example, .xlsx). What needs to be done. Save the workbook in Excel 97 - 2003 format and then work with this workbook in compatibility mode. |
Converting a book to XLS format
When you open a workbook that was created in Excel 97–2003 and you no longer plan for any user to work with that workbook in an earlier version, you can convert the workbook to the current XML-based file format (xlsx, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xltx, xltm ;). When you convert to the current file format, you will have access to all the new and improved features that later versions of Excel offer and the file size will usually be smaller.
You can:
Excel 97–2003 features that are not supported in later versions
When you open a workbook in Excel 2007 or later that was created in Excel 97–2003, some features in earlier versions of Excel are not supported in the workbook. Unsupported features have either been replaced by new features and functionality, or they will be removed due to infrequent use.
Advice. If functions are not available on the Ribbon but are still available in Excel, you can still use those functions by adding them to the Quick Access Toolbar or Ribbon.
The Excel 97-2003 features listed below operate differently and are no longer available or have been removed from the Ribbon.
Unsupported worksheet features
In Excel 97–2003 | |
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To quickly format a range of data using one of the available AutoFormats, you can use the AutoFormat feature. |
Libraries of styles for tables, cells and pivot tables are available, containing a range of professional formats that you can quickly apply. You can choose one of many ready-made styles or, if necessary, create your own version. AutoFormat has been replaced with Styles because it the simplest way Apply formatting to a range of cells. You can continue to use the AutoFormat command, but you'll need to add it to the Quick Access toolbar first. |
Unsupported table functions
In Excel 97–2003 | In Excel 2007 and later |
|---|---|
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You can create an Excel list to make it easier to manage and analyze groups of related data in a worksheet. |
As in other Microsoft Office programs (such as Word and PowerPoint), Excel lists are now called Excel tables. |
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To quickly add a new row of data to the end of the list, you can use the insert row (a special row in Excel lists). |
Inserting a row is no longer available. To add new rows to a table, press the Tab key, or type, to insert the data you want to include below the table. You can also insert rows to include additional rows of data. |
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You can specify list names. |
When you create a table, a specific name is created for the same range at the same time. This name can be used to refer to a table in formulas that use structured referencing (new). Names that are used for lists in earlier versions of Excel may not meet the requirements for range names in Excel 2007 and later and therefore cannot be used to refer to a table in formulas that use the new structured referencing feature. To use table names in structured links, you must change certain names. |
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Bidirectional synchronization of Excel tables with SharePoint lists is no longer supported. When you export tabular data to a SharePoint list, you can only connect to it one-way. Changes made to data from a SharePoint list with One-Way Data Connection to a SharePoint List can be included in Excel 2007 and later versions. When you refresh table data in Excel 2007 and later, the latest data from a SharePoint site will overwrite the table data in the worksheet, including any changes you made to the data table. In Excel 2007 and later versions, you no longer update a SharePoint list to include changes made to the data table in Excel after the data has been exported. |
Unsupported formula functions
In Excel 97–2003 | In Excel 2007 and later |
|---|---|
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Whole row or whole column links automatically account for cells in the increase grid size in Excel 2007 and later. This means that the link =:a, which refers to cells A1:A65536 in earlier versions of Excel refers to cells A1:A1048576 in Excel 2007 and later file format. Converting a workbook in an earlier version of Excel to an Excel 2007 and later file format may cause problems if the workbook uses an entire row or column reference, and the cells that bey have been entered with data that should not be included in the references ond number of rows and columns in previous versions of Excel. Additionally, if you used certain functions to count the number of cells, rows, or columns in a link (such as COUNT VOIDS, LINE And COLUMN) and they referenced an entire row or column, the results they return may not be what you expected. |
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In Excel 97-2003, you can define and use certain letter and number names in formulas (for example, USA1, FOO100 And MGR4), since they do not conflict with cell references. |
Using the new 16,384 column limit, the XFD column is expanded in Excel 2007 and later. This means that some names (for example, USA1, FOO100 And MGR4), you can determine in earlier versions of Excel will conflict with valid cell references in Excel 2007 and later. Additionally, Excel 2007 and later reserves names that begin with XL for internal use. If incompatible names are found when converting a workbook from an earlier version of Excel to Excel 2007 or a later version of the file format, you will receive conflict alerts. Invalid names differ from cell references; underscores (_) are automatically prefixed to incompatible names. Excel 2007 and later versions also do not change certain names that are referenced through Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). VBA code that references incompatible names will not work and must be updated. |
Unsupported charting features
In Excel 97–2003 | In Excel 2007 and later |
|---|---|
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Create a diagram. |
To create a chart, you need to select the desired type on the ribbon (tab Insert, group Diagrams). Once your chart is created, you can edit and format it using the tools available on the Working with charts. |
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You can resize multiple charts at once. |
Each chart is resized individually. |
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If an existing chart sheet that contains data is selected, you can press F11 to create a chart sheet with the same data. |
Using the F11 key can no longer create copies of chart sheets. If you select a chart sheet and press F11, a blank sheet will be created. |
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The rotation angle of the 3D diagram can be changed using the mouse. |
The rotation angle of a 3D chart cannot be changed using the mouse. The amount of rotation of a 3-D chart can only be changed using category options Rotate a volumetric figure in the dialog box Chart Area Format. |
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You can use a pattern fill for chart elements. |
Instead of pattern filling of chart elements, you can use images and textures. Charts with pattern fills created in an earlier version of Excel appear the same when opened in Excel 2007 and later, but you cannot use pattern fills for other elements. |
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To automatically resize charts along with window sizes, you can use the command By window size. |
Instead of a command By window size command available Scale selection. |
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A caption is created automatically when you click anywhere on the chart and start typing. |
You cannot create a caption by clicking anywhere on the chart and starting to type text. To add a label to a diagram, use the command Add a caption. |
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By default, a copied chart is pasted into Word document or PowerPoint presentation like a drawing. |
By default, the copied chart will be pasted into a Word 2007 or later PowrPoint document or later presentation as an object linked to the Excel chart. You can change how the copied diagram is inserted (as a picture or an entire book) in the menu Paste Options. |
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You can use a Word table as the data for the new chart. |
Tables in Word 2007 or later cannot be used as data for a new chart. When you create a chart in Word 2007 or later, you get a worksheet with sample data instead of the data in the selected Word table. To display data in a Word table into a new chart, you must copy the desired data onto the worksheet, replacing the existing sample data. |
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The chart print size and scaling options can be adjusted in the dialog box Page settings on the tab Diagram. Tab Diagram appears only when the diagram is selected (menu File, team Page settings). |
Chart print size and scaling options are no longer available in the dialog box Page settings on the tab Diagram. Tab Diagram appears only when the chart is selected (tab Page layout, group Page settings, dialog box button ). |
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You can visualize data by selecting it on a worksheet and dragging it onto a chart. |
Data can no longer be dragged from a sheet to a chart. There are other ways to add values to a chart. |
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You can drag data points on the chart and change their original values on the worksheet. |
Dragging data points to change their original values on a worksheet is no longer supported. |
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Shapes are displayed in a different format than the shape format used in Excel 97–2003. |
Shapes that appear in earlier versions of Excel cannot be grouped with shapes that appear in Excel 2007 and later, even if the shapes are upgraded to latest version. You cannot select shapes that were created in different versions of Excel at the same time. Shapes created in different versions of Excel placed on the current shapes. Like shapes, charts created in Excel 2007 and later cannot be placed on top of sheets created in earlier versions of Excel, and you cannot view charts located below those sheets in the dialog box. To highlight existing charts, use the chart element selection box ( Working with charts, tab Format, group Current fragment). To highlight hidden charts or shapes created in a previous version of Excel, you must first add a command to the Quick Access Toolbar or custom ribbon group Select multiple objects. |
For more information about replacing or working around unsupported features, see the following article:
Unsupported PivotTable Features
In Excel 97–2003 | In Excel 2007 and later |
|---|---|
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You can specify names for PivotTable reports. |
Names used for PivotTable reports in earlier versions of Excel may not meet the requirements for range names in Excel 2007 and later and therefore cannot be used to refer to a table in formulas that use the new structured referencing feature. To use PivotTable report names in structured links, you must change certain names. |
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Calculated members defined in OLAP cubes appear in PivotTable reports by default. |
Instead of calculated members defined in OLAP cubes, PivotTable reports display calculated measures (calculated members of the Measures dimension) by default. Calculated members can be displayed by opening in the dialog box PivotTable Options tab Conclusion and selecting the item Show calculated components from OLAP server (Working with Pivot Tables, tab Options, group Pivot table, Options). |
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Support for OLAP PivotTable reports uses versions of Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services that are earlier than Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services. |
New filtering capabilities in OLAP PivotTable reports require support for subselect queries on the OLAP server. SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services and SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services support subselect queries, so full filtering capabilities are available in these versions. When you convert a workbook from an earlier version of Excel to Excel 2007 and later versions of the file format, only the filtering capabilities available in Excel 2003 PivotTable reports will be available in Excel 2007 and later PivotTable reports because the earlier versions of SQL Server Analysis Services Services are not supported Subselect queries. |
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You can use the OLAP Cube Wizard to create OLAP cube files from relational data sources. This capability allows you to implement a hierarchical structure in relational data so that it can be viewed in PivotTable reports and saved in separate files. |
The OLAP Cube Wizard is no longer available. To create PivotTable reports based on relational data, you can connect to the relational data directly or import it into an Excel workbook. |
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You can use the PivotTable Wizard to create PivotTable reports, and the PivotChart Wizard to create PivotCharts. |
The PivotTable Wizard and PivotChart Wizard are not available on the Microsoft Office Fluent ribbon. You can use the commands instead Pivot table And Pivot chart to create a PivotTable report or a PivotChart report in one step (the Insert, group Tables, button Pivot table). However, you can use the PivotTable and Chart Wizards by adding them to the Quick Access Toolbar or to a custom group on the Ribbon. Some of the legacy features, such as using server-defined page fields, memory optimization features, and explicitly creating PivotTable reports based on other reports, as well as multiple consolidation ranges, are only available in wizards. |
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Custom labels and element formatting are lost when fields are collapsed. |
PivotTable reports retain item settings (such as custom labels and item formatting) even if those items are temporarily not visible in the PivotTable report. When you convert a workbook from an earlier version of Excel to Excel 2007 and later file formats, custom captions and item formatting are applied when fields are collapsed. Custom signatures are always available in the workbook, even when fields are removed from PivotTable reports and then added again after some time. |
For more information about replacing or working around unsupported features, see the following articles.
Unsupported file formats
Support for the following file formats has been removed from Office 2007 and later versions. You won't be able to open or save books in these file formats.
File formats that are not supported in Excel 2007 and later versions |
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WJ1 (1-2-3, Japanese) (WJ1) |
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WJ3 (1-2-3, Japanese) (WJ3) |
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WKS (Works, Japanese) (WKS) |
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WJ2 (1-2-3, Japanese) (WJ2) |
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WJ3, FJ3 (1-2-3, Japanese) (WJ3) |
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DBF 2 (dBASE II) |
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WQ1 (Quattro Pro/DOS) |
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Diagrams Microsoft Excel(XLC) |
Support options have changed for the formats listed below.
File format | In Excel 2007 and later |
|---|---|
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Web page (HTM, HTML) |
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Web page in one file (MHT, MHTML) |
Office 2007 and later versions no longer store feature information in this file format. You can open a file in this format while retaining all Excel-specific features created in earlier versions of Excel. However, you can save such a file (or any other book) in this file format for publication purposes. |
Checking an Excel workbook for compatibility with earlier versions of Excel
To ensure that Excel 2007 or a later version of the workbook does not have compatibility issues that cause a significant loss of functionality or a minor loss of accuracy in the earlier version of Excel, you can run a compatibility check. The Compatibility Checker returns potential compatibility issues and helps you generate a report so you can resolve them.
Important When you work with a workbook in compatibility mode, where the workbook is in the Excel 97–2003 file format (.xls) instead of the new Excel 2007 and later XML-based file format (XLSX) or binary file format (.xls), the Compatibility Checker runs automatically when saving the book.
additional information
You can always ask a question to an Excel Tech Community specialist, ask for help in the Answers community, and also suggest new feature or improvement on the website
Users of a personal computer who have operating systems 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 may see this type of message on the monitor during operation: “The program is running in compatibility mode.” Many people, especially inexperienced ones, are confused about what it is and how to run it in compatibility mode with Windows 7.
The following is alarming information that says compatibility settings must be disabled, as they can lead to undesirable consequences for the operation of the computer. This is followed by clarifying information: “However, should you launch the application?”
What is compatibility mode in Windows 10
Computer equipment is a complex set with which we play games, run “heavy” applications and carry out a number of actions designed for comfortable use of a PC. Compatibility mode is the correct adaptation of the computer's operation if you changed the operating system for any reason.
For a clear example, let’s consider the case when you are a fan of one of the games on the Internet, you previously had Windows 7 installed on your PC, after a while you decided to improve your computer and installed Windows 10. Your game begins to act up and does not carry out your actions. It remains to understand the reason and solve the problem of how to enable compatibility mode in Windows 10.
In some cases, compatibility mode is not needed for the computer and then you need to disable it. It is important to remember that automatic launch configuration is allowed in several options:
- The service has been completely stopped.
- It is necessary to check only one version of the program on a PC.
- It can be launched through the PC Group Policy Editor.
If you do not need to use at least one option, then you can safely disable compatibility mode.
How to stop compatibility mode in WWindows 7
To ensure that this service does not interfere with the work on your PC, it is enough to once and for all do a comprehensive job that will check for compatibility. If you disable the Assistant service, you can launch the program again at any time if the need arises.
To find out how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 7, you need to use the program's Run tool. To do this, you can use the location combination Win+R and enter the required command services.msc.
After we click the “OK” button, we will need to find “Program Compatibility Assistant Service” in the drop-down list. Select this option and right-click on this option. In this case, one of two options is possible.
Don’t forget to confirm all actions using the “Save” or “Change” buttons.
Compatibility mode in WWindows 8 to turn off one program
To perform an action for one program on your PC, you do not need to turn on/off compatibility mode for all affected programs. Now all that remains is to solve the problem of how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 10 for one program.
Withdrawal via Group Policy
On your personal computer you can solve the question of how to turn off compatibility mode on Windows 7 by doing one team program type gpedit.msc. We carry out all actions using the previously worked out activation scheme “Run” (or Win + R). After the user confirms his action with the “OK” button, a pop-up window will appear in front of him, which will display the information “Local Group Policy Editor”.
In the same section, look for “Administrative Templates”, open the drop-down option “ Windows components" and click on the names in the following sequence:
Be sure to save and confirm all settings changes at the end of the process.
Unfortunately, for many users, not all programs work in operating systems. Windows systems different versions are equally good. In order to solve this problem, Microsoft employees were able to create an option such as compatibility mode, which allows you to use files and other components of older versions of the system in a newer one.
For example, we can say that most of the programs that were written for Windows Vista can be easily launched in the seventh version of the operating system, but still some of them may give an error or not work at all. The same can be said about Windows XP, which either accepts or does not accept components and programs written for Windows 95, 98 and 2000. And for the normal operation of all files and other components, compatibility mode is required.
But it’s still worth figuring out how to launch this mode and fix any problems that arise. Let's describe the main points on Windows 7. If you decide to install the program from old version Windows, but when loading it does not work correctly, then first of all you need to run special remedy, which will eliminate problems with the compatibility of certain files.
It is this that is capable of automatically detecting and eliminating the most common problems that prevent installation or the correct launch of programs from older versions of Windows. Thus, you will establish compatibility of Windows 7 with components and files of previous versions of operating systems from Microsoft.
So, in order to launch this tool, which will find and fix all problems, you need to go to the Start menu. After this, select “Control Panel”, and then enter the word “problems” in the empty search field, then click “Troubleshooting”. Go to the “Programs” section and select the command that has a rather long name - “Run programs designed for previous versions of Windows.” And after that, wait until the tool finds errors and fixes them, that is, until the compatibility mode is turned on. When this happens, you can safely work with this program.
But it happens that the problem cannot be fixed automatically. And in this case, too, there is a way out, but you will have to perform all the steps yourself. And for this method you will have to clarify some data about certain programs and components. Guidelines for manual troubleshooting are provided below:
1. You must change program compatibility settings manually. To do this, you'll need more information about running older programs on a newer version of the operating system.
2. You must independently check the compatibility of components with the version of the operating system in which you are working. To do this, it is best to go to the official website of the program and the system itself.
But I would like to note that this is quite labor-intensive work. And that is why it will be easier to find a similar program or file that will be intended specifically for your Windows versions.
If you still don’t quite understand what compatibility mode is, you can give an example at Microsoft program Excel. Let's say you launch a document that was created in a previous version of the system, but you cannot work in Windows 7, because the title “Reduced functionality mode” appears in your header. And in order to ensure that you can work with this document using all the parameters and capabilities, you must enable Excel compatibility mode.
For the same purposes, this mode is required in Microsoft Office and other programs. And one conclusion suggests itself: compatibility mode is a completely useful thing that is sometimes simply necessary.
