Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 9, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Linda wrote about a problem involving the versions feature in Word. It seems that sometimes, but not always, the different versions stored in a document behave oddly. For instance, when a user selects a version from the Versions window and clicks on Open, the version that is actually opened is the current version, not the one originally saved using the feature.
Believe it or not, this problem may not be all that uncommon. The problem is related to the complexity of the Word documents created using the versions feature. Each version you save increases the complexity and size of the document. If you have a lot of versions, the document complexity becomes untenable, and the document becomes much more prone to corruption. Just one little glitch is all it takes to have a document become unstable or unusable.
A better solution to versions is to not use the feature. (I know—it makes no sense for Microsoft to include features that users can't rely on or recommend to fellow users. They do it anyway; go figure!) How, then, is one to save different versions? The old fashioned way may be the best—save discrete documents at each benchmark in your development process. Give the documents names that indicate the version represented by each document. In this way, individual document complexity is decreased and overall reliability increased.
It appears that Microsoft agreed that the best solution is just not to sue the Versions feature, as it has been removed completely from Word 2007.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3782) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
Does your document have all sorts of different colored underlines on it? Tracking down what most of them are can be easy, ...
Discover MoreCustom dictionaries are a great way to adapt the spelling and grammar checkers to your needs. If you find that Word isn't ...
Discover MoreWhen you are using Word, it normally saves temporary AutoRecover files that reflect the latest state of your document. If ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments