User Services is currently in Pilot to test the installation, configuration and training materials that we have developed for Office 2007. We are working with many departments on campus to ensure compatibility with campus applications and information systems. As we continue to pilot Office 2007 you might receive files that are in the Office 2007 file format. Office 2007 files can be identified by the new file extension ending in .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. The new Open XML file format is not natively compatible with previous versions of Office. User Services highly recommends that you install the compatibility pack or converter appropriate for your operating system to provide compatibility.
USRV Support Timeline
Please see the timeline below for more information regarding support and deployment of Office 2007:
Support and Deployment Timeline
- Faculty/Staff Pilot - Summer 2008 - Fall 2008
- Students – Fall 2008 - Basic Support for Resnet, Blackboard Vista and Distance Education
- Student Labs – Basic Support - Summer 2008
- Smart Classrooms - Spring 2009
- Faculty/Staff Deployment - Spring 2009.
For more information, tutorials, testing and compatibility issues please see the USRV Knowledge Base at:
More information on Office 2007 at CSU,Chico – USRV Knowledgebase
System Requirements
Office 2007 has minimum system requirements listed here:
File Compatibility
Office 2007 has some pivotal changes to the file format of documents created in Office Applications. The file format native to Office 2007 is Open XML and it can be distinguished by the additional (x) at the end of file extensions, examples include: docx, .xlsx, .pptx. Previous versions of office (e.g. 2003) will have to install a compatibility pack to open, edit and save Office 2007 files. Complete compatibility with all third party plug-ins and applications are being tested and not all are compatible with Office 2007. Tutorials for the compatibility pack and a converter available for the Macintosh are available from the link below.
Important Differences from Office 2003
The Ribbon
The Office Button
Quick Access Toolbar
New in Word
New in Excel
New in Powerpoint
New in Outlook
Online Training provided by Microsoft
Microsoft offers a variety of online training materials for Office 2007. To look at their full catalog click here. Highlighted demo's can be found below:
Office 2007 Webinars
Up to speed with Word 2007
Up to speed with Excel 2007
Up to speed with Outlook 2007
How to:
Save documents as PDF files
Edit in Print Preview
Install the Excel 2007 - Analysis Toolpak
Download and Install the Microsoft Office 2007 Compatibility Pack
Download and Install the 2007 Microsoft Office Add-in Save as PDF or XPS
Create a Profile in Outlook 2007
