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Multiple Versions of Microsoft Office

Your reports in CDM can contain Excel, Word, and PowerPoint objects. Some aspects of your reports and report objects depend on the version of Microsoft™ Office that was used to create the report object, and the version of Microsoft Office that you use to open the report.

Important: Macros applied to report objects are not preserved when you save the report object.

If all report objects in your report are created with the same version of Microsoft Office, and all users of your report use the same version of Microsoft Office, you do not need to read the rest of the topics in this section.

However, if any report objects in your report are created with different versions of Microsoft Office, or some users use a different version of Microsoft Office, read the following sections for useful tips on how to work with your report and report objects.

Effects of Using Multiple Versions of Microsoft Office

When you use multiple versions of Microsoft™ Office, some aspects of your reports in CDM depend on the version that was used to create various report objects. The version of Microsoft Office that you use can affect actions such as opening reports and report objects, pasting and exporting report objects, and generating reports.

Open Reports and Report Objects

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect opening reports and report objects.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can open and save reports and report objects. When you save report objects, you automatically save them in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can open and save reports and report objects normally.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office.

You view the later report object in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might not see features or formatting specific to the later version. However, no changes are made in the database.

If a report object is saved in Microsoft Office 2007 and then you open it in a later version of Microsoft Office and then save, the report object is saved in Microsoft Office 2007 format, even though you are working in a later version.

To view a report object in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report object.

Copy and Paste Report Objects

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect copying and pasting report objects.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can copy and paste a report object by right-clicking the report object and then using the Copy and Paste options. When you save a pasted report object, you automatically save it in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can copy and paste a report object normally by right-clicking the report object and then using the Copy and Paste options.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office

You can copy and paste a report object by right-clicking the report object and then using the Copy and Paste options. All later report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version. The original report object remains in its original format.

To view and save a pasted report object in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report object.

Work with Shared Objects

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect shared objects.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can work with shared objects. All copied report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can work with shared objects normally.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office

Report objects are opened in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use. When you save the report object, you receive a message in which you must specify whether you want to save in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use.

  • Reference - The content cannot be modified. A linked object actually has no content, so when an object is opened, the content is retrieved from the original source object. This content opens in the version of Microsoft Office that is on your computer, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version.

  • Copy - The content can be modified because a copy is treated like any other report object that has content. All later shared report objects are saved in the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version.

To view a shared object in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report object.

Export Report Objects

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect report object exports.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can export report objects. All earlier report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can export report objects normally.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office

You can export report objects. All later report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version.

To export a report object in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report object.

View and Compare Audit Trails or Snapshots

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect audit trails and snapshots.

Note: If you work in Microsoft Office 2007, you can work with only one instance of a PowerPoint object at a time. When you view audit trails for PowerPoint objects, the audit trail content does not load because of this limitation. You will receive a message in which you can save the logs separately. If you work in a later version of Microsoft Office, this restriction does not apply.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office, or if the snapshots were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can view and compare audit trails or snapshots. When you select an audit trail entry or snapshot, you view it in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use. The changes are not saved to the database.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use, or if the snapshots were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can view and compare audit trails or snapshots normally.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office, or if at least one of the snapshots was created in a later version of Microsoft Office

You can view and compare audit trails or snapshots. When you select an audit trail entry or a snapshot, you view it in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might not see features or formatting specific to the later version. The changes are not saved to the database.

To view an audit trail entry or snapshot in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report objects in the audit trail or the snapshot.

Generate Reports

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect report generation.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can generate the report. All earlier report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use. The report is generated as a .docx file.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can generate the report normally. The report is generated as a .docx file.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office

You can generate the report. All later report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version. The report is generated as a .docx file.

To generate the report in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report object.

Perform Report Rollovers

Consult the following table to learn about how different Microsoft Office versions affect report rollovers.

Situation

Effect

If the report contains report objects that were created in an earlier version of Microsoft Office

You can perform a report rollover. All later report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version.

If the report contains report objects that were created only in the version of Microsoft Office that you use

You can perform a report rollover normally.

If the report contains report objects that were created in a later version of Microsoft Office

You can perform a report rollover. All later report objects are saved in the format of the version of Microsoft Office that you use, and you might lose features or formatting specific to the later version.

To roll over the report in its original format, you must upgrade to the version of Microsoft Office that was used to create the report object.

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