Office Compatibility Pack Vs. The File Formats 4 Version

Discussion in 'Software' started by Chim, Mar 21, 2016.

  1. Chim

    Chim Private First Class

    I just noticed on File Hippo that there is this Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel and PowerPoint File Formats 4 that I don't believe I had seen before. Now, I already have the Office Compatibility Pack 12.0.6514.5001 installed in my computer.

    In reading the description for both, even though the File Formats 4 version description has more text, ultimately I'm interpreting that they pretty much both do the same thing. I'm really not seeing the difference, the advantage that the File Formats 4 version has over the plain ole 12.0.6514.5001 version.

    What DOES the File Formats 4 version do that the 12.0.6514.5001 version does not? I'm trying to figure out whether I'm perfectly fine with just the 12.0.6514.5001 version installed or whether I'd pick up a useful advantage by instead installing the File Formats 4 version.
     
    Chim, Mar 21, 2016
    #1
  2. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    From Major Geeks and MicroSoft 4 seems to be from 2010
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3&751be11f-ede8-5a0c-058c-2ee190a24fa6=True

    The version you have is from 2012 so it is newer
    Source: http://filehippo.com/download_office_compatibility_pack/tech/

    I can not find an Office Compatibility Pack 12.0.6514.5001 from Microsoft. I can find this as lots of 3rd party sites.
    This filehippo link
    http://filehippo.com/download_office_compatibility_pack/tech/
    when clicking on the home page link to MS, leads you back to here and 4
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3&751be11f-ede8-5a0c-058c-2ee190a24fa6=True

    so I'm not sure where the v 12 something comes in.
     
    plodr, Mar 21, 2016
    #2
  3. Chim

    Chim Private First Class

    Hmmm ... interesting observation. However, the plot thickens. I just noticed that while the File Formats 4 version was published on 1/6/2010 ... for some reason, File Hippo added it on February 5, 2016 --- way after the June 22, 2012 on which they added the 12.0.6514.5001 version.

    Who knows? Maybe they're the exact same thing, just under two different names because the file sizes of both versions are identical.
     
    Chim, Mar 22, 2016
    #3
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Both Office Compatibility Pack 4 from Microsoft link and the V12.xxxx.xxxx from FileHippo are the same file, I downloaded both and matched up the certificate details and dates, what I think FileHippo and others are doing is using the Version number that is listed in Add/Remove, which FileFormatConverters.exe version 4 and its package has a version of 12.0.6514.5001

    No thick plots other than the likes of FileHippo are using likely the package installer code opposed to the actual Office update one, as to when they add files to their download lists, I could guess at easy to add a file as updated but its not and all you are doing is downloading the same again, likely a mistake at that site.

    But both files are the same and the one at Microsoft is the latest and likely last version you will see as compatibility is built into Office 10 and above.
     
    DavidGP, Mar 23, 2016
    #4
  5. Chim

    Chim Private First Class

    Aww MAN! So no thick plot with which to write a conspiracy theory book and make blockbuster movie, eh? :D

    Just kidding. Thanks a lot for y'all's work in looking into this, David ... plodr. :) So, I guess I'll be sticking to the version I already have installed.

    Just to clarify, David ... with the 12.0.6514.5001 version that I currently have installed, I should be able to open, edit and save MS Word Docs of the absolute latest MS Word? What IS the latest MS Office Suite version? 2016? I have MS Office Suite 2003 in conjunction with that Compatibility Pack BTW.
     
    Chim, Mar 23, 2016
    #5
  6. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Chim

    Yeah sadly no movie blockbuster for you this time.

    Latest is Office 2016 and version 16.0.6568.2036 according to Word that I have open at present, I have Office 365 which basically if I keep paying yearly for it I will keep getting the latest Office version.

    To your question on opening latest version docs in Office 2003, then yes you should have no problems as you have the compatibility pack, but a caveat to this is some macros or add-ons in later office versions may not work, but you should be given the chance to open the doc without these addons, but formatting may change a little in he likes off a Word doc.

    Some info HERE
     
    DavidGP, Mar 23, 2016
    #6
  7. Chim

    Chim Private First Class

    After reading that additional info, I have a question. Okay, ideally one is supposed to first check to see that all the necessary updates (SP3) to Office 2003 are installed BEFORE installing the Office Compatibility Pack. In following the checking procedure there, I see that my computer does not have the SP3 to Office 2003 updates installed.

    Sooo ... can / should I just uninstall the Compatibility Pack ... install the Office SP3 Update ... and then reinstall the Compatibility Pack? I take it I can't / shouldn't just install the Office SP3 Update after the fact, right?
     
    Chim, Mar 23, 2016
    #7
  8. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    You can just update to SP3 for Office 2003 as the compat pack is a separate install app, and still should work ok, however I would for that random issue (Murphys Law) that always crops up, do exactly as you mentioned uninstall the compat pack and update to SP3 then re-install the compat pack as its only a <1min install when I ran it to check version numbers.
     
    DavidGP, Mar 24, 2016
    #8
  9. Chim

    Chim Private First Class

    Okay, that's what I'll do then. Except I'll have to wait until around next weekend when I'll probably go to my sister's house and get to use her High Speed Internet. Yeah, I have Dial Up Internet and the 117.7 Meg of that Office 2003 SP3 is definitely too much for my Dial Up. I already have the Office Compatibility Pack Install File in my Flash Drive from the last time around.

    Thanks again, David.
     
    Chim, Mar 24, 2016
    #9
  10. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Chim

    You are very welcome and I hear you on dial-up, I used to have that many years ago so know what todays large files take in time and frustration to download, especially when they freeze/disconnect!
     
    DavidGP, Mar 24, 2016
    #10

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds