Since Microsoft Office 2007, Word has defaulted to saving files in the .docx format. This modern format is based on XML, resulting in smaller file sizes and better data recovery. However, if you regularly share documents with clients or colleagues who are using extremely old software, legacy systems, or specific database upload portals that only accept the older 1997-2003 format, constantly remembering to use “Save As” and manually change the dropdown to .doc is tedious and prone to error. To prevent compatibility issues, you can force Microsoft Word to use the older .doc format by default.
How to Change the Default Save Format
This setting is adjusted within the core Options menu of Microsoft Word. Changing it will apply to all future documents you create on this computer.
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Click on the File tab located in the top-left corner of the ribbon menu.
- Look at the bottom of the blue sidebar on the left and click on Options. (If you do not see it, you may need to click ‘More…’ first).
- A new “Word Options” window will appear. Click on Save in the left-hand menu pane.
- Look at the very first section on the right, titled “Save documents”.
- Find the drop-down menu labelled Save files in this format:.
- Click the drop-down menu and select Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc).
- Click the OK button at the bottom of the window to apply the changes.
What This Changes
From now on, whenever you create a new blank document and press Ctrl+S (or click the Save disk icon), Word will automatically select the legacy .doc format in the save dialogue box.
A Word of Caution: The older .doc format does not support many of the advanced formatting features introduced in the last fifteen years (such as modern SmartArt, complex equations, or new content control boxes). If you use these newer features while working in a .doc file, Word will prompt you with a “Compatibility Checker” warning when you save, letting you know that those specific visual elements will be flattened into static images or converted into uneditable text so that older computers can read them.