How to open files in invalid format

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Level 1

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How to open files in invalid format

When I bought my MacBook a couple of years ago, i transferred all my docs from my old desktop to the new laptop. When I tried to open these files on my MacBook, I got the message the "file format is invalid," so I can't open them. They are all in Word, and I don't have Word installed on my laptop. Of course, that's not a problem on my MacBook, since I can create a doc in Pages and simply export to Word or pdf. But is there a workaround for opening old files from my old desktop? Appreciate the help!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Apr 16, 2022 6:11 AM

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Answer 1

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VikingOSX

Level 10

123,962 points

Apr 16, 2022 7:24 AM in response to bernard70

If those Word files were too old, Pages would state that in a dialog and then refuse to open them. If they are the old Word .xml documents before Microsoft shifted to .docx in 2007, or Microsoft Works .wks documents, then Pages will view them as invalid document formats, just as it would if those documents would be acceptable, but are damaged.

I recommend that you install the free LibreOffice Suite which will open any (undamaged) Word or Microsoft Works document. Then you can Save as… Word 2007 - 365 (.docx), and Pages should be quite happy with those updated Word documents.

Once you have installed LibreOffice in your /Applications folder, right-click on it and choose Open. This will pop a dialog informing that it is from a third-party developer. Choose OK. This is only needed once, or after you update LibreOffice to a newer version.

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How to open files in invalid format

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