Saving documents using different formats

• Normally you simply save a document as a standard Microsoft Word document.  However you can save your document in a range of different formats.  It is important to realize that Microsoft Word 2010 stores documents in a different type of file format than used by some of the previous versions of Microsoft Word and you may have to save your documents in a format that can be opened by people who are using an earlier version of Microsoft Word such as Word 2003. 

• If necessary start Word.

• Create a new document and type in the following text.
  
  This is a document created in Word 2010.
   

• Click on the Save icon (top-left of your screen).  This will display the Save As dialog box.
  
  
  

• In the File Name section of the dialog box, enter the file name 'My file formats'. 
  
  
  

• Click on the down arrow to the right of the Save as type section of the dialog box.  This will display a drop down list of file format options.
  
  
  
  As you can see there are a range of options to select from.
  
  Word Document:
  This format will save the document using the standard Microsoft Word 2010 file format.  This is the format that is used by default and if you do not go out of your way to select a different file format then this is the format that is used when you normally save a Microsoft Word 2010 document.
  
  
  Word 97-2003 Document:
  Saving your document in this format means that you can distribute copies of your document via disk or email to other people who are using earlier versions of Microsoft Word and they should be able to read and edit the document without problems.  If you have used complex formatting or some of the new advanced features within your Microsoft Word 2010 document, some of the advanced formatting may be lost in the conversion process.
  
  
  Plain Text:
  Saving your document as a plain text file will remove all the formatting you have added to your documents (such as bold, italics & underlining).  It will also remove any pictures or other features such as tables.  Only plain text will be saved.  Be very careful about using this option.
  
  
  Rich Text Format:
  This is a generic word-processing file format.  If you wanted to distribute the document to someone using a totally different word-processing program from a different software manufacturer, such as WordPerfect, then you may wish to use this file format.  Some advanced formatting may be lost in the file conversion process.  The file name extension will change to become .RTF.
  
  
  Template:
  You normally save a document as a document file.  You can however save a document as a template.  This means that you can create new documents in the future; based on the templates you create.
  
  There are quite a few other file format options but at this stage we do not need to worry about them!
  

• Experiment with saving your document in the file formats described above.
  

• When you have finished experimenting, save your changes and close any open documents.

• Close the Microsoft Word program.