Which Version of Microsoft Word created a given document?

Question

I'm starting to get multiple MS Word documents sent to me, and I'd like to detect what version of MS word created, or last saved, each doc. Is there some tool for that? Or, can I determine such information by looking with a text editor or a binary editor?I have MS Office suite 2002 and Open office, if that helps.

Answer 1

Personally, I have composed two manuscripts I intend to electronically publish & release on Amazon and my personal website. The manuscripts have taken longer than I expected to complete, thus many chapters/files may have been composed using multiple versions of Word. While I do not expect this to be a problem – I can certainly identify with your situation.

First, when you initially save a file using Word 365 on Windows 10, after you hit the “Save As” command the software will give you an option to save in a prior version of Word. I saved this file in the earliest available version as Word 97-2003 Document.   

After you save it, click on “Info” on the far-left vertical menu in Word. Inside the “Info” display. The fourth box in the middle column says, “Version History”. When you click on this a dialog box appears which asks, “Turn on Version History?” If you proceed with this – you will have to learn & access “One Drive – Personal”. The dialog box presents additional info outside this question’s initial scope.

Another way to discern the version of a Word file is to pull up “File Explorer”. When you display file names, look to the “Type” column and it will display its Word version, such as, “Microsoft Word 97-2003 Document.” 

It is possible to update the file name and append it with “Version B” and save it as a Word Document (a later version than ’97-’03). Thus, it is possible to examine File Explorer and review “Type” column and determine which Word version the file was last saved in.