Setting a Default File Format

Normally, Excel saves your worksheets in the workbook format that is appropriate for the version of the software you are using. This means that your worksheets are stored in a peculiar way that is understood by your version of Excel, but may not be understood by other programs--including earlier versions of Excel. If you do a lot of work with people who use other versions of Excel or who use a different spreadsheet program, you may want to specify a different default file format for your files. Excel makes this easy; just follow these steps:

1. Choose Options from the Tools menu. Excel displays the Options dialog box.
2. Make sure the Transition tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Use the Save Excel Files As drop-down list to select a default file format.
4. Click on OK.

The steps you need to follow are a bit different in Excel 2007:

1. Click the Office button and then click Excel Options. Excel displays the Excel Options dialog box.
2. Click the Save option at the left side of the dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Use the Save Files In This Format drop-down list to select a default file format.
4. Click OK.