Word > File management

Open XML Formats and file name extensions

Microsoft Office 2010 continues the use of the XML-based file formats, such as .
docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, introduced in the 2007 Microsoft Office system. These fo
rmats and file name extensions apply to Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 201
0, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010. This article discusses key benefits of the for
mat, describes the file name extensions , and discusses how you can share Office
2010 files with people who are using earlier versions of Office.
Names of file extensionsIn this article
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------bookmark link What are the benefits of Open XML Formats?
bookmark link What are the XML file name extensions?
bookmark link Can different versions of Office share the same files?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------What are the benefits of Open XML Formats?
The Open XML Formats include many benefits
not only for developers and the solut
ions that they build, but also for individual people and organizations of all si
zes:
Compact files Files are automatically compressed and can be up to 75 percent s
maller in some cases. The Open XML Format uses zip compression technology to sto
re documents, offering potential cost savings as it reduces the disk space requi
red to store files and decreases the bandwidth needed to send files via e-mail,
over networks, and across the Internet. When you open a file, it is automaticall
y unzipped. When you save a file, it is automatically zipped again. You do not h
ave to install any special zip utilities to open and close files in Office 2010.
Improved damaged-file recovery Files are structured in a modular fashion that
keeps different data components in the file separate from each other. This allow
s files to be opened even if a component within the file (for example, a chart o
r table) is damaged or corrupted.
Better privacy and more control over personal information Documents can be sha
red confidentially, because personally identifiable information and business-sen
sitive information, such as author names, comments, tracked changes, and file pa
ths can be easily identified and removed by using Document Inspector. For detail
s, see Remove hidden data and personal information from Office documents.
Better integration and interoperability of business data Using Open XML Format
s as the data interoperability framework for the Office 2010 set of products mea
ns that documents, worksheets, presentations, and forms can be saved in an XML f
ile format that is freely available for anyone to use and to license, royalty fr
ee. Office also supports customer-defined XML Schemas that enhance the existing
Office document types. This means that customers can easily unlock information i
n existing systems and act upon it in familiar Office programs. Information that
is created within Office can be easily used by other business applications. All
you need to open and edit an Office file is a ZIP utility and an XML editor.
Easier detection of documents that contain macros Files that are saved by usin
g the default "x" suffix (such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx) cannot contain Visual
Basic for Applications (VBA) macros and XLM macros. Only files whose file name
extension ends with an "m" (such as .docm, .xlsm, and .pptm) can contain macros.
Save as type list
Before you decide to save the file in a binary format, read Can different versio
ns of Office share the same files?

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What are the XML file name extensions?
By default, documents, worksheets, and presentations that you create in Office 2
010 are saved in XML format with file name extensions that add an "x" or an "m"
to the file name extensions that you are already familiar with. The "x" signifie
s an XML file that has no macros, and the "m" signifies an XML file that does co
ntain macros. For example, when you save a document in Word, the file now uses t
he .docx file name extension by default, instead of the .doc file name extension
.
Saving file as .docx
When you save a file as a template, you see the same kind of change. The templat
e extension used in earlier versions is there, but it now has an "x" or an "m" o
n the end. If the file contains code or macros, you must save it by using the ne
w macro-enabled XML file format, which adds an "m" for macro to the file extensi
on.
The following tables list all the default file name extensions in Word 2010, Exc
el 2010, and PowerPoint 2010.
Word
XML file type Extension
Document .docx
Macro-enabled document .docm
Template .dotx
Macro-enabled template .dotm
Excel
XML file type Extension
Workbook .xlsx
Macro-enabled workbook .xlsm
Template .xltx
Macro-enabled template .xltm
Non-XML binary workbook .xlsb
Macro-enabled add-in .xlam
PowerPoint
XML file type Extension
Presentation .pptx
Macro-enabled presentation .pptm
Template .potx
Macro-enabled template .potm
Macro-enabled add-in .ppam
Show .ppsx
Macro-enabled show .ppsm
Slide .sldx
Macro-enabled slide .sldm
Office theme .thmx
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Can different versions of Office share the same files?
Office 2010 lets you save files in the Open XML Formats and in the binary file f
ormat of earlier versions of Office, and includes compatibility checkers and fil
e converters to allow file-sharing between different versions of Office.
Opening existing files in Office 2010

You can open and work on a file that was

created in an earlier version of Office, and then save it in its existing forma
t. Because you might be working on a document with someone who uses an earlier v
ersion of Office, Office 2010 uses a compatibility checker that verifies that yo
u have not introduced a feature that an earlier version of Office does not suppo
rt. When you save Word > File management
View or change the properties for an Office file
Show AllShow All
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Document properties, also known as metadata (metadata: Data that describes other
data. For example, the words in a document are data; the word count is an examp
le of metadata.), are details about a file that describe or identify it. Documen
t properties include details such as title, author name, subject, and keywords t
hat identify the document's topic or contents.
If you include the document properties for your files, you can easily organize a
nd identify them later. You can also search for documents based on their propert
ies.
What do you want to do?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------bookmark link Learn more about the document properties
bookmark link View and change the properties for the current document
bookmark link Create custom properties for a document
bookmark link View the document properties when you open or save a file
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the document properties
Types of document properties
There are five types of document properties:
Standard properties By default, Microsoft Office documents are associated with
a set of standard properties, such as author, title, and subject. You can speci
fy your own text values for these properties to make it easier to organize and i
dentify your documents. For example, in Word, you can use the Keywords property
to add the keyword customers to your sales files. You can then search for all sa
les files with that keyword.
Automatically updated properties These properties include both file system pro
perties (for example, file size or the dates when a file was created or last cha
nged) and statistics that are maintained for you by Office programs (for example
, the number of words or characters in a document). You cannot specify or change
the automatically updated properties.
You can use the automatically updated properties to identify or find documents.
For example, you can search for all files created after August 3, 2005, or for a
ll files that were last changed yesterday.
Custom properties You can define additional custom properties for your Office
documents. You can assign a text, time, or numeric value to custom properties, a
nd you can also assign them the values yes or no. You can choose from a list of
suggested names or define your own.
Properties for your organization If your organization customized the Document
Information Panel, the document properties that are associated with your documen

t may be specific to your organization.

Document library properties These are properties that are associated with docu
ments in a document library (document library: A folder where a collection of fi
les is shared and the files often use the same template. Each file in a library
is associated with user-defined information that is displayed in the content lis
ting for that library.) on a Web site or in a public folder. When you create a n
ew document library, you can define one or more document library properties and
set rules on their values. When you add documents to the document library, you a
re prompted to include the values for any properties that are required, or to up
date any properties that are incorrect. For example, a document library that col
lects product ideas can prompt the person for properties such as Submitted By, D
ate, Category, and Description. When you open a document from a document library
in Office Word 2007, Office Excel 2007, or Office PowerPoint 2007, you can edit
and update these document library properties in the Document Information Panel.
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View and change the properties for the current document
Which Microsoft Office 2010 program are you using?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------bookmark link Access
bookmark link Excel
bookmark link PowerPoint
bookmark link Project
bookmark link Publisher
bookmark link Visio
bookmark link Word
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Access
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click View and edit database properties.
In the Document Properties dialog box, click the tabs to select the properties t
hat you want to view or update.
Note
If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if t
he document for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library
(document library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files
often use the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-def
ined information that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or
a document management server, additional document property views may be availabl
e.
Click OK. Any changes you made will be saved automatically.
Click the File tab again to return to your file.
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Excel
Click the File tab.
Click Info to view the workbook properties.
To add or change properties, hover your pointer over the property you want to up

date and enter the information.

Click the File tab again to return to your workbook. Any changes you made will b
e saved automatically.
Notes
To see more properties, click Show All Properties. To see fewer properties, clic
k Show Fewer Properties.
To see the properties in a panel within your workbook, click Properties and sele
ct Show Document Panel.
To view custom properties, click Properties and select Advanced Properties. To l
earn more about custom properties, see View or create custom properties for a fi
le.
If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if the docume
nt for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library (documen
t library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files often us
e the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined info
rmation that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or a documen
t management server, additional document property views may be available.
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PowerPoint
Click the File tab.
Click Info to view the presentation properties.
To add or change properties, hover your pointer over the property you want to up
date and enter the information.
Click the File tab again to return to your presentation. Any changes you made wi
ll be saved automatically.
Notes
To see more properties, click Show All Properties. To see fewer properties, clic
k Show Fewer Properties.
To see the properties in a panel within your presentation, click Properties and
select Show Document Panel.
To view custom properties, click Properties and select Advanced Properties. To l
earn more about custom properties, see View or create custom properties for a fi
le.
If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if the docume
nt for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library (documen
t library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files often us
e the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined info
rmation that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or a documen
t management server, additional document property views may be available.
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Project
Click the File tab.
Click Info to view the project properties.
To add or change properties, hover your pointer over the property you want to up
date and enter the information.
Click the File tab again to return to your project. Any changes you made will be
saved automatically.
Notes
To view custom properties, click Project Information and select Advanced Propert
ies. To learn more about custom properties, see View or create custom properties
for a file.
To see project statistics, click Project Information and select Project Statisti
cs.

If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if the docume

nt for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library (documen
t library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files often us
e the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined info
rmation that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or a documen
t management server, additional document property views may be available.
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Publisher
Click the File tab.
Click Info to view the properties.
To add or change properties, hover your pointer over the property you want to up
date and enter the information.
Click the File tab again to return to your publication. Any changes you made wil
l be saved automatically.
Notes
To view custom properties, click Publication Properties and select Advanced Prop
erties. To learn more about custom properties, see View or create custom propert
ies for a file.
If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if the docume
nt for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library (documen
t library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files often us
e the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined info
rmation that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or a documen
t management server, additional document property views may be available.
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Visio
Click the File tab.
Click Info to view the properties.
To add or change properties, hover your pointer over the property you want to up
date and enter the information.
Click the File tab again to return to your publication. Any changes you made wil
l be saved automatically.
Notes
To view custom properties, click Properties and select Advanced Properties. To l
earn more about custom properties, see View or create custom properties for a fi
le.
To add a link to related documents, click Related Documents and select Add a Lin
k to a Related Document.
If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if the docume
nt for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library (documen
t library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files often us
e the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined info
rmation that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or a documen
t management server, additional document property views may be available.
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Word
Click the File tab.
Click Info to view the document properties.
To add or change properties, hover your pointer over the property you want to up
date and enter the information.
Click the File tab again to return to your document. Any changes you made will b
e saved automatically.

Notes
To see more properties, click Show All Properties. To see fewer properties, clic
k Show Fewer Properties.
To see the properties in a panel within your workbook, click Properties and sele
ct Show Document Panel.
To view custom properties, click Properties and select Advanced Properties. To l
earn more about custom properties, see View or create custom properties for a fi
le.
If your organization customized the Document Information Panel, or if the docume
nt for which you want to view properties is saved to a document library (documen
t library: A folder where a collection of files is shared and the files often us
e the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined info
rmation that is displayed in the content listing for that library.) or a documen
t management server, additional document property views may be available.
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View or create custom properties for a document
Custom properties are properties that you define for an Office document. You can
assign a text, time, or numeric value to custom properties, and you can also as
sign them the values yes or no. You can choose from a list of suggested names or
define your own.
Which program are you using?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------bookmark link Access
bookmark link Excel
bookmark link PowerPoint
bookmark link Project
bookmark link Publisher
bookmark link Visio
bookmark link Word
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Access
Click the File tab.
Click View and edit database properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.
Click Add, and then click OK.
Click the File tab again to return to your file.
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Excel
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click Properties, and then select Advanced Properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.
Click Add, then click OK.
Click the File tab again to return to your workbook.
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PowerPoint
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click Properties, and then select Advanced Properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.
Click Add, then click OK.
Click the File tab again to return to your presentation.
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Project
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click Project Information, then select Advanced Properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.
Click Add, then click OK.
Click the File tab again to return to your project.
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Publisher
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click Publication Properties, then select Advanced Properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.

Click the File tab again to return to your publication.

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Visio
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click Properties, then select Advanced Properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.
Click the File tab again to return to your drawing.
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Word
Click the File tab.
Click Info.
Click Properties, then select Advanced Properties.
Click the Custom tab.
In the Name box, type a name for the custom property, or select a name from the
list.
In the Type list, select the data type for the property that you want to add.
In the Value box, type a value for the property. The value that you type must ma
tch the selection in the Type list. For example, if you select Number in the Typ
e list, you must type a number in the Value box. Values that don't match the pro
perty type are stored as text.
Click the File tab again to return to your document.
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View the document properties when you open or save a file
You can view the document properties for a file in the Open dialog box or Save A
s dialog box.
In the Open dialog box or Save As dialog box, select the document for which you
want to view properties.
Click the arrow next to Views, and then do one of the following:
To view properties such as the size of the file and the date when the file was l
ast changed, click Details.
To view all document properties, click Properties.
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file, the compatibility checker reports those features to you and then lets you
remove them before continuing with the save.
Opening Office 2010 files in earlier versions of Office You can open and chang
e an Office 2010 file in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2003 by downloadin
g the necessary file converters. On the computer that uses an earlier version of
Office, go to the Download Center and download the Microsoft Office Compatibili
ty Pack for 2007 Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint File Formats.
Important For the converters to work, the earlier version of Microsoft Office m
ust first be updated to one of the service packs listed here. After you have ins
talled the service pack for your version of Office, download the converter.

Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3

Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 1
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