Microsoft Office’s new files formats are based on XML, or Extensible Markup Language. XML is the new standard, and Microsoft jumped on the wagon. Office XML files offer the following features not available in previous file formats:
* Improved privacy and enhanced management over personal information.
* Automatic compression of files, which reduces file size by an average of 75%. Files are compressed when they are saved, and decompressed when they are opened. You won’t notice any of this happening; it happens behind the scenes.
* New file recovery technology that allows a file to be opened even if part of it is corrupt,
such as a chart or table.
* Better integration with other XML data.
In addition to new file formats that end in x, files can also end in m. An x means the file is saved in XML format and does not contain macros; an m means the file is saved in XML format and contains macros.
It’s important to note that these new formats are not backwards-compatible. What this means to you is that if you save a Word file in a docx file format, send it to someone who uses Office 2000 or 2003, they won’t be able to open it. If you’re the only one on your block, in your home, or at your office who uses Office 2007, you’ll need to save in a backward-compatible format.
To change the default file type for any Microsoft Office application:
1. Open the Microsoft Office 2007 application to change the defaults for.
2. Click the File menu and select the applications Options. [See Image 1]
3. From the Options window, click Save.
4. Locate the Save Files in This Format window, click the down arrow and make a selection from the resulting drop-down list. [See Image 2]
5. Click OK to close the window.
For more information on Office defaults read Office 2007 -- Change the Default Location for Saving Files