Backup File Name Extensions Changed for MS Word and MS Excel

Last reviewed: October 20, 1997
Article ID: Q141451
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Office for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.2, 4.3, 4.3c-CD
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

SUMMARY

The file name extensions for backup files that you save with the Create Backup option in Microsoft Word 7.0, Microsoft Word 97, Microsoft Excel 7.0, or Microsoft Excel 97 are different from the file name extensions for earlier versions of Word and Microsoft Excel.

The following table lists the file name extensions for backup files that you save in Word versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c, 7.0, and Word 97; Microsoft Excel versions 5.0, 5.0c, 7.0; and Microsoft Excel 97.

Program                               File name extension

Word 6.0, 6.0a, and 6.0c              .bak

Microsoft Excel 5.0, 5.0c             .bak

Word 7.0 and Word 97                  .wbk

Microsoft Excel 7.0 and
Microsoft Excel 97                    .xlk

In addition to using different file name extensions for backup files, Word 7.0, Word 97, Microsoft Excel 7.0, and Microsoft Excel 97 also add "Backup of " to the beginning of the backup file name. For example, a backup copy of a file named "Weekly Report.xls" would be named "Backup of Weekly Report.xlk" in Microsoft Excel 7.0.

MORE INFORMATION

To use the backup option in Word 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c, 7.0, and Word 97, follow these steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. Click the Save tab.

  3. Select Always Create Backup Copy.

  4. Click OK.

NOTE: When you use the Always Create Backup Copy option in Word, you automatically create backup files for any and all files that you subsequently save.

To use the backup option in Microsoft Excel 5.0, 5.0c, 7.0, and Microsoft Excel 97, follow these steps:

  1. In an open workbook, click Save As on the File menu.

  2. Click Options.

  3. Click to select the Always Create Backup check box.

  4. Click OK.

NOTE: When you use the Always Create Backup option in Microsoft Excel, you automatically create a backup file for the file that is currently open when you save the file. You must select the option in each file that you want to back up.
Keywords          : offwin xlwin kbusage
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,4.2,4.3,4.3c,7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS


================================================================================


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: October 20, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.