Excel compatibility mode: All information and tips
Compatibility mode allows you to open and edit your Excel documents even with older versions of the software. In this practical tip, we show you what you need to know.
Excel compatibility mode: All information and tips
- The old Excel versions 97 to 2003 save Excel files in XLS format. If you use a newer version such as Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 or 2016, all files will be saved in XLSX format.
- The new format primarily offers additional functions. If you want to send your Excel files to friends or colleagues with an old version of Excel, you have to convert them beforehand. To do this, click on "File" and "Save as" in Excel. Here you select the "Excel 97-2003 workbook (* .xls)" option as the file type (see image).
- If you open an XLS file in a new Excel version, the file is in compatibility mode. Click on "File" in the top right corner and you will find the "Compatibility Mode" category there. You can convert the file into the XLSX format using the "Convert" button.
- Note: In compatibility mode, all functions that the old format XLS does not support are also not available. Therefore, changes or shifts in the table can sometimes occur.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to create a dropdown menu in Excel.