How To Convert Office Documents Opening in Compatibility Mode

Version Old New
Office documents can be saved in a variety of file formats, but only one version works with the full modern features of Office, including syncing with OneDrive and SharePoint online, plus versioning.

Compatibility Mode

One of the most common problems with files failing to sync with OneDrive and SharePoint happens when the file is saved in the older file format. Microsoft introduced this format back in Office 2010 but it’s not uncommon for files to still occasionally be saved – or sometimes exported as spreadsheets from other software – in the older version.

There are several ways you can see if the file is saved as an older version.

Check File Explorer

In File Explorer, you should see a column heading called ‘Type’. The modern version of Office will say simply ‘Microsoft Excel Worksheet’ or ‘Microsoft Word Document’.

File Explorer will display the version under the Type column
File Explorer will display the version under the Type column

If the file is saved in the older format, the Type will display as something else, often ‘Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Worksheet’ or the equivalent for that document type.

The document icon is also different for the modern and older versions.

The icons are different for the old and new versions
The icons are different for the old and new versions

Check for ‘Compatibility Mode’ in the open document title

When opening an older version of the Office document, you will also see in the title bar the words ‘Compatibility Mode’. This is an indication that the document is the older Type.

Older versions will display 'Compatibility Mode' in the top bar
Older versions will display Compatibility Mode in the top bar

Auto Save is turned off

Also in the top bar, older versions are incompatible with Auto Save. If the document is saved to OneDrive or SharePoint, Auto Save cannot be used to sync and save the file in real time. This feature also allows collaboration by multiple concurrent users.

Auto Save is not available for older file types
Auto Save is not available for older file types

How to fix it

Luckily resolving this is very simple. You could choose to save the file in the new format by going to Save As and selecting the modern document type. But, since this creates a copy of the file, a better solution is to use the built in conversion tool.

Go to File > Info and you will see a Convert button. This upgrades the document to the new file format without creating a duplicate copy.

There is a warning that converting may result in layout changes, but this is usually not a problem, but worth checking the file for any obvious formatting changes after conversion.

Click File > Info > Convert to upgrade the document to the latest file type
Click File > Info > Convert to upgrade the document to the latest file type

For other useful tips on OneDrive, see our other posts here

For a full review of OneDrive features, see this useful article from Microsoft

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