How to save a word document without losing the graphics?

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Level 1

7 points

How to save a word document without losing the graphics?

I need to import a Word document for homework, which also has to be returned in Word format. There are graphics in the document. When I opened it on my iMac, the graphics are gone. I tried opening it with Text Edit, didn't work. I also tried to open with Preview, the graphics were there but the format was altered - the graphics are supposed in a straight line across the page but they were displayed vertically. Appreciate if someone can help me. Thanks much.

P.S. I don't have Microsoft Office.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Jul 20, 2014 5:25 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 20, 2014 7:00 PM in response to eskaycee

Pages etc are not Word clones.

Use LibreOffice [free].

Peter

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Answer 2

Jul 21, 2014 6:11 PM in response to eskaycee

When you are trying to save a pages document to a word document, formatting changes due to its limitations. I have ran thru that problem too so what i had to do (and have not found another solution) is to save it to a PDF document. You can open a PDF on a mac if you have it installed and it will retain its properties but wont be able to edit it. It retains all formatting and graphics. Another crazy idea is to take a screenshot of the final product on the pages document. You can later insert that picture on a word document and nothing will be changed but its atleast a word document.

PDF:

Pros:

-Retains all graphic and formatting

-Can be opened by any PDF viewer and its a more universal way to share and view files.

Cons:

-Cannot edit unless you purchase another version of adobe pdf. viewer

-Not a word document

-//

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Answer 3

Jul 21, 2014 7:20 PM in response to eskaycee

Even LibreOffice is not 100 percent Microsoft Word compatible, but they are light-years ahead of Apple in this regard. Take advantage of the LibreOffice Writer documentation on the LibreOffice site.

Your only other recourse is to take advantage of a student discount and get Office for Mac 2011 home and student. No one likes the ribbon bar, but you will be working in the native .doc/x file format, and that is the best document interchange solution with those that govern your grade.

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Answer 4

eskaycee Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 22, 2014 7:29 AM in response to VikingOSX

What's the difference between LibreOffice and OpenOffice? Does LibreOffice work better with Mac? My goal is to retain the format of the document so I can work on the document using my iMac.

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Answer 5

Jul 22, 2014 7:34 AM in response to eskaycee

The Open Office clones forked a few years ago.

LibreOffice is by far the best and most advanced Office clone and in active development. The others have either been neglected or abandoned.

LibreOffice opens and saves just about every major file format and worls on Windows, OSX and Linux. There are also mobile versions and possibly we will soon see something for iOS and Android.

Peter

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Answer 6

eskaycee Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 22, 2014 10:29 AM in response to VikingOSX

I downloaded LibreOffice, attempted to open document with LibreOffice but I did not see the document opened in LibreOffice. Could you please tell me what else I need to do? Thanks.

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Answer 7

eskaycee Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 22, 2014 10:44 AM in response to eskaycee

More details ...

The document is in .doc format downloaded from a website. When I clicked on it from the downloaded files, it automatically opens in Pages, eliminating all the diagrams. So I sent it by email to myself from another PC (with docx). Then I tried to open the attachment with the options provided (LibreOffice, OpenOffice, Preview etc). It did not open at all on the screen.

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Answer 8

Jul 22, 2014 5:38 PM in response to eskaycee

How did you try to open the file with LibreOffice?

I am astonished that you can not open it.

Peter

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Answer 9

Jul 22, 2014 6:47 PM in response to eskaycee

Do one of the following with your Word document (.doc or .docx) and LibreOffice.

Drag the document icon onto the LibreOffice icon.
Launch LibreOffice and choose Open File, and select the Word document from the file chooser
Right-click on the Word document and from the Open With menu item list, choose LibreOffice

By default, Pages v5 wants to open your Word documents, and double-clicking the Word document will do just that.

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Answer 10

eskaycee Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 22, 2014 7:49 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks, VikingOSX. When I dragged the Word document onto the LibreOffice icon, the LibreOffice automatically opened with the document on the screen. Still couldn't get the format right. At least the diagrams are there horizontally instead of vertically so I am able to work on.

One more question, when I send the document out by email, will it remain in .doc format?

Hope one day Pages can open Word documents seamlessly, and vice versa ... I'm sure my dream will come true ... 🙂

Thanks, everyone, for your contribution. Really appreciate all your help.

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