How to open/access documents with an extension of ‘.docx’

As Flinders University generally uses Microsoft Office 2003, documents that have been created with Word 2007 cannot be opened in the usual manner. Such documents will have an extension of ‘.docx’ instead of an extension of ‘.doc’. Please refer to the first screen shot below.

If an applicant has submitted a supporting document with an extension of ‘.docx’, the following options are available to you:

1. Contact the applicant and ask her/him to re-submit the documents, preferably as a ‘.pdf’ or as a Word 2003 document with an extension of ‘.doc’. The applicant should be asked to email the documents to Ms Chris Knight at jobapplications@flinders.edu.au. Chris will ensure that all relevant parties receive them.

2. Contact your local Computing Support department and ask for their help to either open the document or download a conversion file that allows you to open the document.

3. If you use the Central or Flinders Desktops, then the following provides guidance on how to download attachments with an extension of ‘.docx’.

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How to open/access documents with an extension of ‘.docx’

1. Save the document to the Desktop of your computer’s hard drive (commonly known as C: Drive). Do not save to the Central or Flinders Desktop

The next two pictures show Central or Flinders Desktop users how to save the document to the desktop of their computers’ hard drive.

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How to open/access documents with an extension of ‘.docx’

2. Once you have opened the folder to which you are saving the documents, rename the file with the applicant’s name and the type of document it is. Place the extension ‘.docx’ on the end. For example: Sharpe_COV.docx

Change the field ‘Save as type:’ from ‘download Document’ to ‘All Files’ Click on the ‘Save’ button

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How to open/access documents with an extension of ‘.docx’

3. Then click on the ‘Open’ button

4. The document should open for you as follows:

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How to open/access documents with an extension of ‘.docx’

5. Click on ‘File’ Then click on ‘Save As’

6. ‘Save as type’ currently reads ‘Word 2007 Document’. Use the drop down arrow to select ‘Word Document’

Click on the ‘Save’ button

7. The job applicant’s covering letter has now been saved to the Desktop of your office computer.

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How to open/access documents with an extension of ‘.docx’

Create a folder and name it with the Vacancy Reference number, or the position title.

Drag the Word document into the new folder. Delete the ‘.docx’ (Word 2007) document from your Desktop.

Having trouble?

For assistance please contact HR Systems staff on 8201 3123

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