Microsoft Office 2003/2007 in Classrooms & Labs
General university classrooms and most general university computer labs have had a dual installation of Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 since Fall quarter 2007. This configuration provides faculty and students the flexibility to use the software programs of their choice as Western transitions to Office 2007. Beginning Fall quarter 2008, only Office 2007 for Windows will be installed in general university classrooms and labs.
Through generous donors at Microsoft, we have enough donated licenses for faculty who would like to upgrade to Office 2007 on their office workstations. We encourage faculty who create or edit Office files to plan to become familiar with the new Office 2007 interface prior to the beginning of Fall quarter 2008. In addition, faculty with curricular materials referencing step-by-step software instructions in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel or Access should plan to update those materials.
While the dual installation is in place, Office 2003 is configured as the primary Office Suite but Office 2007 will be readily available for those wanting to take advantage of its new features and interface, or simply explore its use. Office 2007 programs have been configured to save files using the Office 2003 file format to maximize compatibility.
To be certain to work in the software of your choice, first open the software, then the file. Opening a file in Windows Explorer by double-clicking an Office 2003 file (.doc, .xls, .ppt) will open the Office 2003 software; double-clicking an Office 2007 file (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) will open the Office 2007 software. When a software program is already open, double-clicking a file will open it within the open program.
Faculty can initiate the installation of Microsoft Office 2007 with an email to ATUS Software Services. Please check the Training Web Site for Office 2007 Transition demonstrations and workshops offered by the Student Technology Center.
For additional information about Office 2007 at WWU, go to ATUS Office 2007 or contact ATUS Software Services, Haggard Hall 124 or at 360-650-3159.