Microsoft Word's Not a Native Web Format

While Microsoft Word is ubiquitous, it’s still not a native web format. In other words, it’s not a file format that is opened by a web browser without a plug-in or without having the application on the recipient’s computer. Further, Microsoft Word 2007 files are often misinterpreted by Blackboard (and other applications) as zip (or compressed) files. The moral of the story is when possible use “native” web formats in Learning Modules and elsewhere in Blackboard rather than using Microsoft Word files (.doc or .docx). The best options are to use .html files (web pages) and PDF (portable document format) files. For images use files saved in either the .gif (line art) or .jpeg/.jpg (photographic image) format.

You can convert Microsoft Word files to .html in several ways. The best options are to cut and paste into Blackboard’s HTML Creator tool or to use a product like SoftChalk.

Opening Office 2007 Files from Students

Sooner or later, your students are going to start submitting files created using Office 2007 rather than Office 2003 (the current version supported on campus). If you do not have access to Office 2007 (like most computers on campus), you can still open Office 2007 documents if you first install a Compatibility Pack from Microsoft.

You can download it from: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en

If you’re a user of Microsoft Office XP or Office 2003 programs (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint), you’ll need to install all high-priority updates from Microsoft Update before downloading and installing the Compatibility Pack.

After installing the upgrade you’ll be able to open, edit, and save files using the file formats new to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007. The Compatibility Pack can also be used in conjunction with the Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003, Excel Viewer 2003, and PowerPoint Viewer 2003 to view files saved in those new formats.