By default, Word uses a DOC extension for all document files. You can, however, control exactly what extensions Word uses with your documents. (Some people prefer their own file name extensions as a means of organizing their documents.) If you try to use a different file name extension by including it when you save the file, Word still appends the DOC extension. For instance, if you explicitly save a file as MyFile.let, Word will still save it as MyFile.let.doc.
If you don't want Word to do this, then simply enclose your file name in quotes when you save under a new name. Thus, you would use the name "MyFile.let" (with the quotes) and that is the file name that Word will use.
As a side note, you should understand that Windows doesn't have length limits on file name extensions. Thus, you can name a document as MyFile.let, or you can name it as MyFile.letter. It is entirely up to you.
One other point on this topic, as well. If you save a document with a different extension (not using DOC), then Word won't show the document by default when you use the Open command. To see all your varied-extension files, you need to follow these steps:
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2012-02-12 09:07:25
AlanCannon
There is another down side to using any non-standard file extension. You will not be able to open the file by double clicking on it in an Explorer window unless you first add the association of that custom extension with the application.
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