Make my old documents readable or compatible with office 365 word 2016

Question

I have tried to convert my older word documents, following office instructions. I open a word document, it is gibberish, I click on FILE tab, click INFO cannot find CONVERT as told. When I try to create a new copy in Word 2016, click SAVE AS, choose MY PC as location, type new name, word document in save as type. Cannot find the box  MAINTAIN COMPATIBILITY WITH PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF WORD.

When I inspect my document for compatibility issues, it comes up with no issues, versions checked are word 97-2003, word 2007, word 2010.

I have spent hours trying to rectify this, can someone please help??

Answer 1

Files with the WPS extension may be created by Microsoft Works. To open old Works word processor files, it is likely that you have to install older converters from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=12.

Answer 2

If you mean an XLR file as in a Works spreadsheet file, you can't open it in Word. Try Excel. It is possible that Excel needs an updated filter, but you will have to ask in the Excel forum about that. Go to https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_excel?sort=lastreplydate&dir=desc&tab=threads.

Answer 3

Thank you, this worked for opening word processor files, but now I cant open .xlr?? Another download  maybe??

Answer 4

Yes not readable. I have a new PC, first time using Office 365 Home. My WPS documents open on other computers that do not have Office 365. I tried your suggestion and cleared the only checked boxes for word 95, word 6.0, word 2 & earlier, no results.

Answer 5

I assume that "gibberish" means that you find no readable content in the file that you are opening? In that case, the file may be corrupt or it is the wrong file format for Word.

If you are sure that these are Word documents and they are really old, you may be prevented to open them because of Word's Protected View. Change the settings at File | Options | Trust Center | Trust Center Settings | File Block Settings. For example, you can choose to clear all check boxes so that none of the files open in Protected View.