Backup File Name Extensions Changed for MS Word and MS Excel (141451)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 4.0
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 4.2
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 4.3
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0c
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0a
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0c
This article was previously published under Q141451

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

If the backup option is enabled, the backup file will be created in the same folder as the original file.

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.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:KB141451
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