If, when you open a Word document, at the top in square brackets, you see the message: “Reduced functionality mode,” then the question immediately arises: “What is this and how to remove it?” This will be discussed in this article.
What does this inscription mean?
In Word, this inscription appears next to the name if you opened a file created in an earlier version text editor– 2003, in the new version – 2010. For example, you were working with a file at work, came home, opened it on your computer and saw an unusual inscription at the top. This means that Word 2003 is installed at your workplace, and at your home, most likely, it costs more new version– 2010 or 2013.
The fact is that after the version of Word 2007 appeared, the format of the documents created also changed. In 2003, files were saved in *.doc format, and in newer versions - 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016, in *.docx format.
If the file is opened in reduced functionality mode, then the text editor acts as an emulator. At the same time, you will not be able to access some functions that the developers have added to new versions. For example, editing formulas, new numbering styles, WordArt objects, some themes, etc.
Disabling mode
If you need to remove the message at the top and work with Word to the maximum, then it is enough to simply resave the file in a newer format.
Open required document and go to the "File" tab at the top. From the list that opens, select “Save As”.
I have Word 2010 installed. If you have 2016, then instead of a separate window, the “Save As” menu will open. In the area on the right, specify the folder on your computer to save and select the mentioned “File Type” with the *.docx extension. Then click the “Save” button.
A dialog box like this will appear. It states that the document may be slightly modified. For example, some styles have been removed, and all formulas will become pictures and it will be impossible to edit them. Click "OK".
After this, you will be able to use all the features of the Word program that is installed on your computer; when working with a document, the message at the top will disappear.
Remove this mode
You can do everything as follows. Open the document you want again and go to the File tab. In the “Details” section, click on the “Convert” button.
Confirm the action by clicking "OK".
The line at the top where it is written about restrictions will disappear, and you will be able to use all the new functions of the text editor you have installed. Save the changes either by clicking on the floppy disk in the upper left corner, or by pressing the combination Ctrl+S or Shift+F12.
Some styles may be removed in the converted file, and all formulas will become pictures.
This method differs from the first in that the original will not be saved, it is simply converted. And using resaving, which is described in the first paragraph, will allow you to save both the original document and its new option, in which there are no restrictions.
I think you managed to remove, using one of the methods described in the article, the line in the document that says about restrictions.
New feature from Microsoft. It appeared for me on October 21, 2017. Open Word 2016. Write “Test” Click “save”. Close Word. Click on the saved file. And it, like all others made in Word 2016 (*.docx), already opens in limited functionality mode. Those. clumsy and for viewing only. Took it down completely. Reinstalled. Activated again. Doesn't help. Word is dead. Excel is still working. Vladimir.
Many users periodically encounter such a problem as “limited functionality mode” in the Word editor. How can I remove this restriction? It's actually very simple.
Let's first look at why this happens. As a rule, a similar situation occurs in Word 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016 when opening old files with the “.doc” extension. This means that modern features cannot be used in this file.
What won't work
You will not be able to insert the following elements (or the options will be severely limited):
- formula (equation – in Word 2016);
- screenshot;
- diagram;
- SmartArt graphic element;
- and much more.
How to disable restriction mode
Many users, seeing this in the title, immediately try to exit and think that the problem lies with the editor. But in reality this is not the case. It's all about structure.
There are two ways to fix the problem. Although in fact, in both cases the same thing will happen (change in structure and transformation into new format). Let's take a closer look at them.
Saving in a new format
- Open the problematic document. Then click on the “File” menu item.
- In the menu that appears on the left, select “Save As.”
- Click on the "Browse" button.
- Select the desired location. Then click on the format dropdown list.
- In the list that appears, select the very first option – “Word Document (*.docx)”.
- Then click on the “Save” button.
- As a result, you will receive a message indicating that the document will be updated to the latest format. We agree with this condition.
- As a result, you will see in the file header that the extension has changed from .doc to .docx.
Converting a Document
This result can be achieved in another way.
- Click on the "File" menu item.
- On this page, click on the “Convert” button. Detailed description functions are indicated nearby.
- This will notify you that the document has been updated to the latest format. Click on the "OK" button.
- This will cause the .docx extension to appear in the header.
Difference between the two methods
As a rule, in both cases the result will be the same - you will receive a document in a modern format. Now it supports all the innovations that have appeared in the Word editor over the past 15 years (after Word 2003).
But the fundamental difference is that if you manually resave, you will have both options:
- old, with limited functionality;
- new, with a docx extension in which you can do anything.
If you use the conversion function, the original source will be destroyed.
Result of removing restrictions
Once you convert the structure to the latest format, you will see the following:
- the ability to insert formulas (equations) will become active;
- you can insert a screenshot;
- and much more that was previously unavailable.
Conclusion
This article looked at how to remove the restriction using several methods. If things don't work out for you, you may be choosing the wrong format when saving.
Video instructions
You can watch a video that provides additional comments on the steps described above.
With the release of Word 2007, Microsoft introduced a new format for text documents. This format received the DOCX extension and became the new standard for Word text editors. Now Word 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016 save all text documents in DOCX format by default.
But, older versions of the Word text editor remain in use, in particular Word 2003, which is still very popular. These older versions of Word continue to save documents in DOC format, which creates some compatibility issues when opening these documents in newer versions of Word.
For example, if you open an old document in DOC format in Word 2010, a Word 2010 user will not be able to use all the functions of this editor. This is exactly the problem that is signaled by the message “Reduced functionality mode”, which appears in the title bar of the program window.
In this article we will talk about how you can solve this problem and remove the reduced functionality mode in Word 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016.
Method number 1. Converting the document.
If you want to remove the limited functionality mode in Word, then the easiest way to do this is to use the “Convert” function. To do this, open the “File” menu, which is located in the upper left corner of the program, select the “Information” menu item and click on the “Convert” button.
A pop-up window will then appear warning you that the document has been converted. In order to remove the limited functionality mode, you need to confirm the conversion by clicking on the “Ok” button.
As a result, your text document will be converted to the new format and its extension will change from DOC to DOCX. After this procedure, the reduced functionality mode message will no longer appear.
Method No. 2. Saving the document in DOCX format.
The second way to remove the limited functionality mode in Word is to simply save the file in DOCX format. To do this, open the “File” menu and select the “Save As” menu item.
After this, a window will appear to save the document. Here you need to open the “File Type” drop-down menu and select “Word Document *.docx” from the list that appears. After which the document must be saved in the selected format.
As a result, you will get another file with the same name, but in DOCX format. The Word editor will automatically switch to working with the new file and the reduced functionality mode message will disappear.
In addition, there is another way to remove the limited functionality mode. You can simply copy the contents of the DOC file, paste it into a new empty DOCX file, and continue editing the text in the new file.
Great MS Word
I think you have already noticed that when working with some documents, at the top of your Word window it says “ Reduced functionality mode" This mode means that you are working with old document format. The old format has the extension "doc", and the new format has the extension "docx". As a result of working with the old format, some new features, introduced in Word 2007-2010, will not be available. And if you want to make these functions available and remove the limited functionality mode, you just need to resave the document in a new format. To do this, use the “Save As” menu item. And instead of the “Word 97-2003 Document” format, select the “Word Document” format.
Remove limited functionality mode by changing the document format
There's another one way to remove limited functionality mode. To do this, go to the file menu and select “Information”. At this point there will be available mode conversion selection. And then Word will do all the mode conversion itself.
Remove limited functionality mode by converting it
For those who are curious, I would like to point out what will not be available in limited functionality mode.
- Text effects;
- New figures and inscriptions;
- New numbering formats;
- New WordArt effects;
- OpenType capabilities;
- New content controls;
- Topics;
- Tabulation in the margins;
- And much more.
Most full list Features can be found on the Microsoft page.
The interface becomes friendlier and more intuitive for users. However, a number of users do not switch to new versions of programs immediately or do not switch at all due to habit, reluctance to spend money on updates, and incompatibility of new programs with computers. Accordingly, the issue of file compatibility arises different versions Word.
Might be interesting:
Reduced functionality mode - what is it?
In most cases, documents saved in the new version software package, in the old version they simply will not open. But the opposite action takes place.
In programs Microsoft Office and specifically in Word, users in this case are faced with a limited functionality mode.
How to remove limited functionality mode
There are several ways to remove incompatibility.
Enabling Compatibility
Word 2010 has a function to check the compatibility of a file with the version of the program in which it is opened. To do this:
- In the “File” menu, select “ Sharing»;
- further “Search for problems”;
- and "Compatibility check".
After this, the message about limited mode disappears.
Important! A document with the .doc extension can be saved in a new version of Word in the .docx format or in other available formats, including web pages, text txt file, pdf, rtf and some others. More on this below.
Converting a Document
Another option is to convert the document by selecting an item in the menu called “Convert”. The file will take on a new format, i.e. changes the extension in the new version of the program, and will make it possible to format text, markup and other aspects in the design. The original file is replaced by the converted one, and this document can no longer be opened in the old Word. 
Converting a file
The last way to remove the limited functionality mode is to use programs or online services for converting files. The source file is loaded into the resource or program, the required output format is specified, and the file is converted.
This method is used when reformatting an old file into a new one and vice versa, when the document is from new program needs to be opened in an early version. Basically, after processing, the text is displayed correctly, but there are some errors in the design. Charts, graphs or other similar objects, which were customized and edited in the later version, are sometimes displayed in the old version as pictures or not displayed at all.
Whichever method you choose, they are all simple, and after a few steps, you will be able to use the extensive functionality of a later version of Word in your document. If you have questions about Microsoft products that were not answered in this article, . Together we will find the answers.
Greetings, friends, to another article in the “Useful Things” section. Today we will look at the issue of limited functionality mode in word 2016 and how to remove it.
I think that many of you, having decided to switch from older editions to a more advanced version 2016 of our wonderful assistant - the Word text editor, were faced with the following inscription: “Reduced functionality mode”. What's the news? We did not download the updated program so that its capabilities would be “cut down” for some reason. Few people will like this. And what exactly does such an announcement mean? Let's figure it out.
What is reduced functionality mode
Speaking in simple language, Restricted Functionality Mode (ROF) is the incompatibility of files made in earlier versions of Word with the expanded functionality of software modifications from 2016.
You will see such an inscription only if you decide to work with a document that was created in version 2010 or earlier.
At the same time, the new features of modern Word 16 will be disabled. This algorithm was introduced so that the structure of the old document is preserved and it remains possible to edit it. When working with Word files from version 2013, there is no conflict of acceptable actions, since the two latest modifications of this software are interchangeable.
What to do about this incompatibility?
First, you need to check which version of the editor your document is compatible with. To do this, let's perform a simple operation. Click on the “File” tab, select the “Document Inspector” section, then the “search for problems” and “check compatibility” commands. Your case will be marked with a tick in the drop-down list.
If this is version 2010, then you will not be able to use many Office applications and post videos. In the case of option -2007, you will also lose new approaches to page numbering, shapes, inscriptions, various WordArt and text effects, and other controls. I'm not even talking about earlier versions. Do you need it? Moreover, converting your file document to the 2016 format is not difficult.
How to remove limited functionality mode
There are two ways to solve this problem. The first is to convert the old file to the 2016 format (DOCX.) Then you will be able to enjoy all the advanced features of the latest release of the program. To do this, you just need to select the “convert” command in the “File” tab and its “information” section.
As you can see, everything is simple. Now you can use the latest functionality to the fullest. But!.. If among your recipients to whom you want to send the updated file there are users of older versions of Word, then they may have problems editing and even opening this document.
To be on the safe side and not get into a similar situation, it is better to simply make a copy of the file in Word 2016. This is the second way to realize all the wide possibilities latest version software in old-style documents. The algorithm of actions will be as follows: “File” - “save as” - indicate the name of the folder and its address - assign a new name to the document - select “Word document” in the “File type” list. At the same time, do not forget to uncheck the box about compatibility with previous versions.
Thus, we receive carte blanche to format a document made in 2010 and earlier using all the advanced technologies of today. The task is completed. In addition, we have retained the previous version of the document - for all occasions.
I think the issue of limited functionality mode and how to remove it is now off the agenda. And so that there are absolutely no “misunderstandings” left, you can watch a short video. It is not for nothing that they say that it is better to see once than to read. 🙂
Goodbye, friends. Still have questions about Word 2016? And I have many more cheat sheets prepared for you. Check it out!
Your guide to Word copywriter GALANT.
In the era of high technology, we increasingly spend time at the computer. It seems that the hours spent on the Internet or simply using gadgets are becoming more and more, they are growing like a snowball. And yet we have nowhere to go, this has already become a part of the life of all humanity, and no one wants to remain on the sidelines of technology and not keep up with all the trends, especially the younger generation.
But at this point, people are divided into two types: those who simply waste time (playing games, reading jokes, just messing around) and the second type - people who invest their energy in Internet work. Widely popular they use Word. This is a machine for processing and writing texts. Word is suitable for all ages: young people will appreciate the intuitive design (that is, you definitely won’t get confused in this program and you won’t have to read the manual), and the older generation will emphasize the simplicity and at the same time modernity of the program, which they won’t have to learn labor.
Users of this program often have questions and problems, since the program is very versatile and interesting, and there is scope for a user-writer or editor. The program also has many functions. Regarding comfortable use- everything is in perfect order here too, Microsoft Word is a fairly easy-to-use program. One of the most common problems that users of the program have can be formulated as follows: “Remove limited functionality mode in word 2010” or “how to remove limited functionality mode in word 2013.” As you may have noticed, the versions of the program are different, depending on the year the software was released.
Limited functionality mode in Word
Since we have already discussed the issue of the variety of Word versions above, you already know that there are earlier versions from 1997–2003. It is these Word release dates that indicate that the extension of saved files edited in Word is doc, while in later versions it is docx.
A problem occurs in Word
Here arises program conflict with file extension and the program cannot allow the user to use its new functions, which were added precisely in versions that were released many years after the old versions of 1997–2003.
Remove limited functionality mode in Word
When disabling the limited functionality mode in Word, you can be guided immediately in several ways:
- convert the edited file;
- save a version of the file in another appropriate format (.docx);
- enable the program's compatibility with the conflicting file.
Let's consider each of the above methods.
- Option 1: Convert the edited file.
A solution that does not require much effort and is a primitive way out of the situation; for this you need use the "Convert" button. Open the “File” section (top left corner), then find “Information” and then “Convert”. Next, a warning window will appear, no big deal, click OK to confirm. As a result, your edited document will change its extension from .doc to .docx and the line “limited functionality mode” will no longer bother you.
- Option 2: Save the document in another appropriate format (.docx)
This solution to the problem is the simplest of all possible, and this method will not even take much time. You just need after finishing editing the document, click the “Save As” button and in the saving window that appears, find the line “File name”, where you enter the name of the file being edited and add .docx at the end, and Word will immediately begin to perceive this file as a document with the extension .docx, which means the conflict will stop , Word will no longer write “limited functionality mode”. You can also cheat a little: create a completely new and clean file with the .docx extension and paste there the copied information from the document with the .doc extension
- Option 3: Enable the program to be compatible with the conflicting file.
Not the most common, but quite effective option. The version of word 2010 is suitable for this, in which it is possible to check is compatibility positive? an editable document with a working version of the program.
To use this feature, find the “File” section, select the “Sharing” button there, then click “Search for a problem”, then select “Compatibility Check”. During this operation, the problem with the conflicting extension of the file being edited and the version of the word program in which the operation with the document takes place should be resolved and the annoying inscription at the top should disappear, opening up new editing possibilities. There are many ways to “cure” this problem with Word; you just have to choose the most convenient and suitable one and implement it correctly.
For older users Word versions When opening documents, a message appears indicating limited functionality mode. The question arises: what does this limited functionality mode mean in Word, and how to remove it. After all, this reduces the ability to edit texts, does not provide access to new extensions, and, in general, creates inconvenience in work. In this case, there is no need to call a programmer for such a simple job as changing the format; after studying our recommendations, you will be able to cope with the task without spending a lot of time on it.
What does limited functionality mean?
The Word text editor, included in the Microsoft Office package, is constantly updated by developers: the capabilities are increased and the interface changes. This is reflected in the extension: Word 2003 has doc, and 2007/2010 has docx. Users sometimes, having become accustomed to one program, are reluctant to change it to a new one. But if you have to send or transfer files to another computer with updated programs installed there, problems arise. This is what happened with Word. Files created and saved in the 2003 format are opened in others only for reading, without the ability to edit the data. Users are advised that reduced functionality mode is enabled. Those created in 2007 did not open at all at first for those who had the usual Word 2003, or some add-ons did not work. The developers created a utility that allowed you to open documents created in Word 2007 through 2003. And yet, the limited functionality mode sometimes prevents it from working fully:
- There is no access to create new documents.
- Plain text can be viewed but not edited.
- You cannot use advanced features such as export to PDF, new templates.
Reduced functionality mode in Word 2010, how to remove it - read below. In fact, disabling the mode is a simple procedure that does not require a lot of time or any special knowledge. Read our instructions and you can safely work with your texts.
Removing restrictions
You prepared the text at home on the old, but familiar Word 2003. You brought the file on a flash drive or other storage device to work, to your friends, and Word 2007/2010 was installed there. You need to make changes or additions before printing, but this is not available. So, you have a choice: apologize and offer to do everything later when you get home, or convert the document to take advantage of all the features provided by the developers.
If you chose the second option, then you need to know how to make it work. There are two possible ways here: with saving the source file or without saving.
- You decide to convert a 2003 document to a new format, but keep the original. You just need to resave with a different extension. To do this, go to “File” - “Save as”. In the “File type” line, select “Word Document” and enter a different name. An additional window will open with a warning that the new version will not open in Office Click OK, you can first check the “Don’t ask this question again” box so that this message does not appear next time. The system saves both options with different extensions.
- If you do not need to save the original version, then we do this: in the “File” tab, go to “Information”, there we click on “Convert”. You will receive a file with a docx extension, all new functions will work without problems.
Note: in the Word 2007 interface, instead of “File” in the upper left corner there is an “Office” button.
In Word 2013, the problem is solved in a similar way, the principle of operation has not changed.
If you have old version Word, limited functionality mode, how to disable it? Removing it does not require any special skills. You don’t have to contact specialists or pay for their services. Every user can easily handle it by following our recommendations.