Updated: 2009-04-28

In this article:

This article lists the Group Policy settings and the Office Customization Tool (OCT) settings that address OpenDocument Format and Open XML Formats in the 2007 Microsoft Office system. To be able to use the settings as discussed in this article, you must install the following updates:

2007 Office system (SP2) Administrative Template files (ADM, ADMX, ADML) and Office Customization Tool (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=144523), which contains new and updated Group Policy administrative template files and OCT files.
The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2) (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=148353), which adds the following to the 2007 Office system — specifically, to Microsoft Office Excel 2007, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, and Microsoft Office Word 2007:
- OpenDocument Format (version 1.1) support.
- Open XML Format converters, which enable users to automatically open and save external file types (that is, files types other than Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) file types in Office Excel 2007, Office PowerPoint 2007, Office Word 2007.

For each setting, the following information is provided:

The application to which the setting applies
The setting name
What the setting does
The default configuration for the setting
Where to find the setting in the Group Policy Object Editor

Note:

Unless otherwise noted, you will find Group Policy settings under the User Configuration/Administrative Templates node of the Group Policy Object Editor.
Where to find the setting in the Office Customization Tool (OCT)

Note:

Unless otherwise noted, you will find OCT settings on the Modify user settings page of the OCT.

Note:
Unless otherwise noted, you will find Group Policy settings under the User Configuration/Administrative Templates node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Note:
Unless otherwise noted, you will find OCT settings on the Modify user settings page of the OCT.

Office Excel 2007 settings

The following table lists the Group Policy settings and the OCT settings that address OpenDocument Format and Open XML Formats for Office Excel 2007.

Setting name

What it does

Default configuration

Group Policy Object Editor location

OCT location

Block opening of pre-release versions of file formats new to Excel 2007 through the Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system and Excel 2007 Converter

Controls whether users with the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats installed can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of Excel 2007. Excel files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .xlsx, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm, .xlam.

Users of the Compatibility Pack cannot open Open XML files created in pre-release versions of Excel 2007.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Office 2007 Converters

This setting is also available at this location: Office 2007 Converters\Microsoft Office Excel

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Office 2007 Converters

Encryption type for password protected Office Open XML files

Allows you to specify the kind of encryption that Office applications will use to encrypt password-protected files in the Open XML Formats used by Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, and Word 2007. The chosen encryption type must have a corresponding cryptographic service provider (CSP) installed on the computer that encrypts the file.

The default CSP will be used. On computers that run Windows Vista, the default cryptographic service provider (CSP) is Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider, AES-128, 128-bit. On computers that run Windows XP, the default CSP is Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider (Prototype), AES-128, 128-bit.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Protect document metadata for password protected files

Determines whether metadata is encrypted when an Open XML file is password protected.

When an Open XML document is protected with a password and saved, any metadata associated with the document is encrypted along with the rest of the document's contents.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Protect document metadata for rights managed Office Open XML files

Allows you to determine whether metadata is encrypted in Open XML files that are protected by Information Rights Management (IRM).

When Information Rights Management (IRM) is used to restrict access to an Open XML document, any metadata associated with the document is not encrypted.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Block opening of Open XML file types

Controls whether users can open Open XML files in the specified applications. Excel files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .xlsx, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm, .xlam.

Open XML file formats are not blocked.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Open

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block opening of files created by pre-release versions of Excel 2007

Controls whether Excel 2007 users can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of Excel 2007. Excel files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .xlsb, .xlsx, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm, .xlam.

Users can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of Excel 2007.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Open

Block opening of OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file types

Governs the opening of Excel spreadsheets with OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file types.

Users can open Excel spreadsheets with OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file types.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Open

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Turn off import converters for Excel

Governs the import converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive.

The external-to-Open XML Format converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive will be turned on.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Open\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block specific import converters based on class ID (CLSID)

Governs which import converters based on class ID (CLSID) should be blocked.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Open\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block saving of Open XML file types

Controls whether users can save Open XML files in the specified applications. Excel files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .xlsx, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm, .xlam

Users can save files in the Open XML Formats in the specified applications.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Save

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block saving of OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file types

Governs the saving of Excel spreadsheets in the OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file format.

Excel will be able to save spreadsheets in the OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file format.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Save

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Turn on an external converter as the default for a file extension

Enables you to specify an external file format converter as the default for a file extension.

By default, an external file format converter is not configured as the default converter for a particular extension. Microsoft Office Excel processes files with that extension in an application defined manner.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (Machine)\Converters

Note:
You will find this setting under the Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (Machine)\Converters

Turn off export converters for Excel

Governs the export converters that are registered under the FileSaveBlock hive.

The Open XML Format-to-external converters that are registered under the FileSaveBlock hive will be turned on.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Save\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block specific export converters based on class ID (CLSID)

Governs which export converters based on class ID (CLSID) should be blocked.

No specific converters will be blocked.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Block file formats\Save\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Default file format

Specifies the default file format for new files that users create in Microsoft Office Excel. This includes the OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods) file format.

Files are created in the Excel file format. Users may override this default setting and specify another file format.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Excel Options\Save

Suppress file format compatibility dialog box for OpenDocument spreadsheet format

Allows you to enable or disable the file format compatibility dialog box when saving a file as an OpenDocument spreadsheet file in Microsoft Office Excel.

The file format compatibility dialog is displayed whenever you save as an OpenDocument spreadsheet file in Excel.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Excel Options\Save

Determine whether for force encrypted macros to be scanned in Microsoft Excel Open XML workbooks

Controls whether to require that encrypted macros in Open XML workbooks be scanned with antivirus software before being opened.

Encrypted macros are scanned by your virus-scanning program when you attempt to open an encrypted workbook that contains macros.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007\Excel Options\Security

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Note:
The settings under the \Block file formats\Open and \Block file formats\Save folders in the Group Policy Object Editor and OCT are intended for security-related management and not migration. Using them for migration might cause unexpected errors in 2007 Office system applications.

Office PowerPoint 2007 settings

The following table lists the Group Policy settings and the OCT settings that address OpenDocument Format and Open XML Formats for Office PowerPoint 2007.

Setting name

What it does

Default configuration

Group Policy Object Editor location

OCT location

Block opening of pre-release versions of file formats new to PowerPoint 2007 through the Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system and PowerPoint 2007 Converter

Controls whether users with the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats installed can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of PowerPoint 2007. PowerPoint files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .pptx, .pptm, .potx, .potm, .ppsx, .ppsm, .ppam, .thmx, .xml.

Users of the Compatibility Pack cannot open Open XML files created in pre-release versions of PowerPoint 2007.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Office 2007 Converters

This setting is also available at this location: Office 2007 Converters\Microsoft Office PowerPoint

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Office 2007 Converters

Encryption type for password protected Office Open XML files

Allows you to specify the type of encryption that Office applications will use to encrypt password-protected files in the Open XML Formats used by Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, and Word 2007. The chosen encryption type must have a corresponding cryptographic service provider (CSP) installed on the computer that encrypts the file.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Protect document metadata for password protected files

Determines whether metadata is encrypted when an Office Open XML file is password protected.

When an Open XML document is protected with a password and saved, any metadata associated with the document is encrypted along with the rest of the document's contents.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Protect document metadata for rights managed Open XML files

Allows you to determine whether metadata is encrypted in Open XML files that are protected by Information Rights Management (IRM).

When Information Rights Management (IRM) is used to restrict access to an Open XML document, any metadata associated with the document is not encrypted.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Block opening of Open XML file types

Controls whether users can open Open XML files in the specified applications. PowerPoint files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .pptx, .pptm, .potx, .potm, .ppsx, .ppsm, .ppam, .thmx, .xml.

PowerPoint files that use Open XML Formats are not blocked.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Open

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block opening of Pre-release versions of file formats new to PowerPoint 2007

Controls whether PowerPoint 2007 users can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of PowerPoint 2007.

Users can open files that were saved in pre-release versions of the new Open XML Formats, which underwent some minor changes prior to the final release of PowerPoint 2007.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Open

Block opening of OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file types

Governs the opening of PowerPoint presentations with OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file types.

PowerPoint will be able to open OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file types.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Open

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Turn off import converters for PowerPoint

Governs the import converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive.

The external-to-Open XML Format converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive will be turned on.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Open\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block specific import converters based on class ID (CLSID)

Governs which import converters based on class ID (CLSID) should be blocked.

No specific converters will be blocked.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Open\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block saving of Open XML file types

Controls whether users of the specified applications can save documents in the Open XML Formats. PowerPoint files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following file extensions: *.pptx, *.pptm, *.potx, *.potm, *.ppsx, *.ppsm, *.ppam, *.thmx, *.xml.

Users can save files in the Open XML Formats in the specified applications.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Save

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block saving of OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file types

Governs the saving of PowerPoint presentations to the OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file format.

PowerPoint will be able to save presentations to the OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file format.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint2007\Block file formats\Save

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Turn on an external converter the default for a file extension

Allows you to enable an external file format converter as the default for a particular file extension on a computer. To set this policy you need to specify the file extension (for example, ''odp'') for Value Name and the external file format converter via the converter's classname (for example, ''TestConverter'') for Value.

By default, an external file format converter is not configured as the default converter for a particular extension. Microsoft Office PowerPoint processes files with that extension in an application defined manner.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 (Machine)\Converters

Note:
You will find this setting under the Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 (Machine)\Converters

Turn off export converters for PowerPoint

Governs the export converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive.

The external-to-Open XML Format converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive will be turned on.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Save\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block specific export converters based on class ID (CLSID)

Governs which export converters based on class ID (CLSID) should be blocked.

No specific converters will be blocked.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\Block file formats\Save\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Default file format

Governs the default format for new database files that users create. Options include the OpenDocument presentation (.odp) file format.

Files are saved in PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx) format.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\PowerPoint Options\Save

Suppress file format compatibility dialog box for OpenDocument presentation format

Allows you to enable or disable the file format compatibility dialog box when saving a file as an OpenDocument presentation file in Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

The file format compatibility dialog is displayed whenever you save as an OpenDocument presentation file in PowerPoint.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\PowerPoint Options\Save

Determine whether to force encrypted macros to be scanned in Microsoft PowerPoint Open XML presentations

Controls whether to require that encrypted macros in Open XML presentations be scanned with antivirus software before being opened.

PowerPoint 2007 disables encrypted macros until they are scanned for viruses.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007\PowerPoint Options\Security

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Note:
The settings under the \Block file formats\Open and \Block file formats\Save folders in the Group Policy Object Editor and OCT are intended for security-related management and not migration. Using them for migration might cause unexpected errors in 2007 Office system applications.

Office Word 2007 settings

The following table lists the Group Policy settings and the OCT settings that address OpenDocument Format and Open XML Formats for Office Word 2007.

Setting name

What it does

Default configuration

Group Policy Object Editor location

OCT location

Block opening of pre-release versions of file formats new to Word 2007 through the Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system and Word 2007 Open XML/Word 97-2003 Format Converter

Controls whether users with the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats installed can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of Word 2007. Word files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .docx, .docm, .dotx, .dotm, .xml.

Users of the Compatibility Pack will not be able to open Open XML files created in pre-release versions of Word 2007.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Office 2007 Converters

This setting is also available at this location: Office 2007 Converters\Microsoft Office Word

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Office 2007 Converters

Encryption type for password protected Office Open XML files

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Protect document metadata for password protected files

Determines whether metadata is encrypted when an Open XML file is password protected.

When an Open XML document is protected with a password and saved, any metadata associated with the document is encrypted along with the rest of the document's contents.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Protect document metadata for rights managed Office Open XML files

Allows you to determine whether metadata is encrypted in Open XML files that are protected by Information Rights Management (IRM).

When Information Rights Management (IRM) is used to restrict access to an Open XML document, any metadata associated with the document is not encrypted.

Microsoft Office 2007 system\Security Settings

Block opening of Open XML file types

Controls whether users can open Open XML files in the specified applications. Word files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .docx, .docm, .dotx, .dotm, .xml.

Open XML Formats in Word are not blocked.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Open

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block opening of pre-release versions of file formats new to Word 2007

Controls whether Word 2007 users can open Open XML files saved with pre-release versions of Word 2007.

Word 2007 users can open files that were saved in pre-release versions of the new Open XML Formats, which underwent some minor changes prior to the final release of Microsoft Office Word 2007. Word files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following extensions: .docx, .docm, .dotx, .dotm, .xml

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Open

Block opening of OpenDocument text (.odt) file types

Governs the opening of Word documents with OpenDocument text (.odt) file types.

Word will be able to open OpenDocument text (.odt) files.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Open

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Turn off import converters for Word

Governs the import converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive.

The external-to-Open XML Format converters that are registered under the FileOpenBlock hive will be turned on.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Open\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block specific import converters based on class ID (CLSID)

Governs which import converters based on class ID (CLSID) should be blocked.

No specific converters will be blocked.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Open\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block saving of Open XML file types

Controls whether users of the specified applications can save documents in the Open XML Formats. Word files that use Open XML Formats usually have the following file extensions: .docx, .dotx, .docm, .dotm, .xml.

Users can save files in the Open XML Formats in the specified applications.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Save

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block saving of OpenDocument text (.odt) file types

Governs the saving of Word documents to OpenDocument text (.odt) type.

Word will be able to save documents as the OpenDocument text (.odt) file format.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Save

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Turn on an external converter as the default for a file extension policy for Microsoft Office Word

Allows you to enable an external file format converter as the default for a particular file extension on a computer. To set this policy you need to specify the file extension (e.g. ''odt'') and the external file format converter via the converter's classname (e.g. ''TestConverter'').

By default, an external file format converter is not configured as the default converter for a particular extension. Microsoft Office Word processes files with that extension in an application defined manner.

Microsoft Office Word 2007 (Machine)\Converters

Note:
You will find this setting under the Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Microsoft Office Word 2007 (Machine)\Converters

Turn off export converters for Word

Governs the export converters that are registered under the FileSaveBlock hive.

The Open XML Format-to-external converters that are registered under the FileSaveBlock hive will be turned on.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Save\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Block specific export converters based on class ID (CLSID)

Governs which export converters based on class ID (CLSID) should be blocked.

No specific converters will be blocked.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Block file formats\Save\Converters

This setting is not available in the OCT.

Default file format

Specifies the default file format for new files that users create in Microsoft Office Word. This includes the OpenDocument text (.odt) file format.

Files are created in the Word file format (.docx).

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Word Options\Save

Suppress file format compatibility dialog box for OpenDocument text format

Allows you to enable or disable the file format compatibility dialog box when saving a file as an OpenDocument text file in Microsoft Office Word.

The file format compatibility dialog is displayed whenever you save as an OpenDocument text file in Word.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Word Options\Save

Determine whether to force encrypted macros to be scanned in Microsoft Word Open XML documents

Controls whether to require that encrypted macros in Open XML documents be scanned with antivirus software before being opened.

The file format compatibility dialog box is displayed whenever you save as an OpenDocument text file in Word.

Microsoft Office Word 2007\Word Options\Security

Note:
The settings under the \Block file formats\Open and \Block file formats\Save folders in the Group Policy Object Editor and OCT are intended for security-related management and not migration. Using them for migration might cause unexpected errors in 2007 Office system applications.

Office Excel 2007 settings

Office PowerPoint 2007 settings

Office Word 2007 settings

See Also

Concepts

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