My Document Title Says [Compatibility Mode] - Microsoft Support

Skip to main content Sign in with Microsoft Sign in or create an account. Hello, Select a different account. You have multiple accounts Choose the account you want to sign in with. Applies ToWord 2016 for Mac Word for Mac 2011

Cause: You opened a document that was created in an earlier version of Word.

Solution:    Save the document in the .docx file format.

Important: The following procedure changes the file format of the document. If you plan to share the document with people who use an earlier version of Word, you might want to work in compatibility mode and leave the document in its current file format. This is because other people may be unable to edit parts of a document that you create by using new or improved features in Word for Mac 2011 and Word 2016 for Mac.

1. On the File menu, click Save As.

2. On the Format pop-up menu, click Word Document (.docx).

3. If you are using Word for Mac 2011, make sure that the Maintain compatibility with Word 98-2004 check box is clear.

4. Click Save.

Solution:    Work in compatibility mode.

Some new features in Word can cause a document to look different when it is viewed by using an earlier version of Word. In some cases, part of a document that is created by using new features can't be edited in an earlier version of Word. Compatibility mode turns off new features that can cause incompatibility with earlier versions. If you share a document with someone who uses an earlier version of Word, consider using compatibility mode. To use compatibility mode, you can either open a document that has a .doc file name extension or save a document in the Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) format.

Cause: The document was saved in the Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) format.

Solution:    Save the document in the .docx file format.

Important: The following procedure changes the file format of the document. If you plan to share the document with people who use an earlier version of Word, you might want to work in compatibility mode and leave the document in its current file format. This is because other people may be unable to edit parts of a document that you create by using new or improved features in Word for Mac 2011 and Word 2016 for Mac.

1. On the File menu, click Save As.

2. On the Format pop-up menu, click Word Document (.docx).

3. If you are using Word for Mac 2011, make sure that the Maintain compatibility with Word 98-2004 check box is clear.

4. Click Save.

Solution:    Work in compatibility mode.

Some new features in Word can cause a document to look different when it is viewed by using an earlier version of Word. In some cases, part of a document that is created by using new features can't be edited in an earlier version of Word. Compatibility mode turns off new features that can cause incompatibility with earlier versions. If you share a document with someone who uses an earlier version of Word, consider using compatibility mode. To use compatibility mode, you can either open a document that has a .doc file name extension or save a document in the Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) format.

Cause: The document was saved with compatibility mode turned on.

Solution:    Save the document with compatibility mode turned off.

Important: The following procedure changes the file format of the document. If you plan to share the document with people who use an earlier version of Word, you might want to work in compatibility mode and leave the document in its current file format. This is because other people may be unable to edit parts of a document that you create by using new or improved features in Word for Mac 2011 and Word 2016 for Mac.

1. On the File menu, click Save As.

2. On the Format pop-up menu, click Word Document (.docx).

3. If you are using Word for Mac 2011, make sure that the Maintain compatibility with Word 98-2004 check box is clear.

4. Click Save.

Solution:    Work in compatibility mode.

Some new features in Word can cause a document to look different when it is viewed by using an earlier version of Word. In some cases, part of a document that is created by using new features can't be edited in an earlier version of Word. Compatibility mode turns off new features that can cause incompatibility with earlier versions. If you share a document with someone who uses an earlier version of Word, consider using compatibility mode. To use compatibility mode, you can either open a document that has a .doc file name extension or save a document in the Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) format.

See also

I can't add a chart or SmartArt graphic

Open a document in a later version of Word

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