Backwards compatibility?
 

Windows Vista/XP? Or Word/Word 97-2003?

Why would a document made on a newer machine, Vista/Word, NOT be able to be opened when e-mailed to an older machine, XP/Word 97-2003?

And how can I stop it happening again, other than "save as" "word document 97-2002" as WELL as "Word" ?

TIA

Ensure all the older machines have the compatability pack installed for their version of Office..... although I have had issues with some machines where it required admin rights before the pack works! Best test it first :)

Are you trying to open .docx files on the old Word?
There is a conversion program available free on the Windows site for older version of office.

Download details: Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats

the only problem is that in MS world you are not the one responsible -- the recipient of the file is (that has an older version of office) and they need to load and install the above utility

If it's a fairly simple document you can use RTF format which is fairly universal. Alternatively, Open Office is pretty good at opening Word documents of any flavour.

Thanks lads, passed that on to who needs it.

+1

Who needs Microsoft Office when you can Openoffice for free?

Just set up the defaults so that it saves in word/excel 97 format.