Help!!! MS WORD, macs, and the myriad different incompatibilities

Hanuman · 01-05-17, 09:12 AM

I have a conundrum.

I'm trying to open a document (application form), but it will only open in either-

1. The latest version of MS Orifice (365, pay per year for some shit that frequently becomes obsolete rendering older documents fubar) I have used up all of my free passes on this, having activated and cancelled 365 several times over the last few years

or

2. in my old version of MS Arseface (office2007, which is no longer supported by MS or Apple, so requiring me to resurrect an old laptop, along with a substantial repair bill)

or

3. it opens on my iPad, using the online version of word, but which isn't totally compatible, as it doesn't support certain embedded functions in the form (sort of macros, I think) which get in the way of filling stuff in, plus it changes some of the other fonts rendering the form a complete mess; I might as well print it off and fill it in by hand with a crayon*

I can't open it in Pages, because there are fonts in there which aren't supported, but which MUST be preserved, to avoid insulting certain regional sensibilities

*I can't actually print it out, because page breaks and formatting end up all over the place, making the form look seriously fubar.

Any suggestions?

audi80fan · 01-05-17, 10:01 AM

Open it in MS arseface and save / export it in a format that can be opened on mac

Just re-read option.. clearly thats not an option

Hanuman · 01-05-17, 11:22 AM

I did try to open it on a desktop pc in a hotel, recently. It's an old form, generated on an old version of office on a windows platform, which is no longer supported in current versions of office/windows, or the Chinese fonts aren't available/installed, rendering the exercise futile.

I get the impression that a reward for persistence will be PFO, while the reward for dumb luck will be 'wercome to china'

moonwatcher · 01-05-17, 07:25 PM

Have you tried Google docs

missfire · 01-05-17, 09:55 PM

You can get word mobile app and install it on a pc for free, don't know if it will opem forms though.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/stor...e/9wzdncrfjb9s

Ringmaster · 02-05-17, 10:50 PM

I wonder whether MS works converter or MS file converter would help you?

Both are free downloads from microsoft.com.

mikes2 · 03-05-17, 06:46 AM

Have you tried Open office or Libre Office ?

01-05-17, 11:22 AM	#3
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,006	...and to add another option for disappointment I did try to open it on a desktop pc in a hotel, recently. It's an old form, generated on an old version of office on a windows platform, which is no longer supported in current versions of office/windows, or the Chinese fonts aren't available/installed, rendering the exercise futile. I get the impression that a reward for persistence will be PFO, while the reward for dumb luck will be 'wercome to china' __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor Last edited by Hanuman; 02-05-17 at 07:23 AM.

01-05-17, 07:25 PM	#4
moonwatcher 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Barrow in Furness, Cumbria Posts: 2,049	Have you tried Google docs __________________ Coupe Quattro 1985

03-05-17, 06:46 AM	#7
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	Have you tried Open office or Libre Office ? __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

01-05-17, 10:01 AM	#2
audi80fan Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,157	Open it in MS arseface and save / export it in a format that can be opened on mac Just re-read option.. clearly thats not an option

01-05-17, 09:55 PM	#5
missfire making wooden things Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cow land Posts: 8,154	You can get word mobile app and install it on a pc for free, don't know if it will opem forms though. https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/stor...e/9wzdncrfjb9s

02-05-17, 10:50 PM	#6
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	I wonder whether MS works converter or MS file converter would help you? Both are free downloads from microsoft.com.