No "Recent Files" in Office 2007

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: ann arbor

I didn't know whether to post this to here or to the Software forum, but given the draconian double posting policy I will confine myself to here... Laughing

I recently purchased and installed Microsoft Office 2007 (no comments, please) after using Office 2000 for many years. After recovering from the shock of the completely redesigned interface, I found it to work about like its predecessor, including the many macros I had developed.

Except: In the open files requester, the "recent files" area is greyed out. Under the "options" area, the ability to adjust the number of files displayed in the "recent files" area is also greyed out. This is true in all Office programs: Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, etc.

It is clearly an office wide problem. What could be causing it?

Occasionally, one or another of the programs complains that it cannot find something called "cleaner", but runs just fine anyway.

Thanks.

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Check if you have 0

Quote:

1. Go to the Office Menu, then to "Word Options".
2. Go to the "Advanced" tab.
3. Scroll down to "Display".
4. Where it says "Number of Documents In Recent Documents List:", check that it is not zero.

or check in the registry

Quote:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

A DWord Value named NoRecentDocsHistory, with a value of 0 should restore your Recent Documents for MS Office.

A value of 1 will disable the Recent Documents "feature."

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: ann arbor

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

I would like to make ONE commend about office 2007 if I may. Please take note that in word it defaults to the DOCX format. So if you send something to someone else, unless they have 2007 or OPEN OFFICE 3, they won't be able to open it. You CAN change the default back to DOC, though. (or any other supported format)

It also may put the other programs in office into the "X" category as well - this is the new XML formats for those that would like to know.

I've been seeing this a lot & felt I should make you (& others) aware of it if you aren't already.

Very Happy

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: ann arbor

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2238 Location: Central FL, USA

My biggest problem with Office 2007 was the HUGE file load it installs on the Hard Drive. Then there was the 30+ megs of stuff it put in the registry.
It's now a 'not so fond' memory. (sort of like a bad dream) Crying or Very sad

I've gone back to Office 2003, mainly for Front Page, which I use to work on my web page.

Good Luck,
Doc Cool

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: ann arbor

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Baby_Tux, there is a compatability pack available. I had to install that on my husband's computer because of docx files he was receiving . Some of these were from the profs at a local university and you do not suggest to them to send the document in a different format!
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941B3470-3AE9...EE-8F43

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

Then it was a CAMPUS thing, not so much a PROFS. - Big deal if he has a "POST HOLE DIGGER" (as my Dad called it) - get enough students, faculty, whomever to go to the dean (or board) & things get changed. - Been there & done that!!! They all are still working for YOU & without your money coming in they don't work. ( this can apply to screwing over a fellow faculty member as well - just like cutting the throat of ANY fellow worker, it can come back to bite you)

Now if the school is willing to help with the cost of such an expensive undertaking, then MAYBE I could go along with it. (Some colleges have M$'s free software program but I don't see office in the list so not sure what they do with it) But to demand that all use it instead of a lesser or maybe free alternative? There is just no excuse. SORRY but I still can't buy that. Just sounds like a "look at ME I'm something special - with my PHd" person to me.

A really GOOD instructor thinks of OTHERS & there financial need as well as there academic needs. They don't go putting themselves first & for most. I been in & out of colleges & tech schools for the past 33 years. Acquired enough knowledge to be a PHd myself (but like a fool, I didn't go for the degrees) so I been through it all. Taught & tutored a few things as well. So I'm not just blowing smoke here.

Also sorry to be off topic & hijacking the OP's thread. But I felt this must be said as I know there are a LOT of people in this same boat. And it can get quite expensive if something isn't done.

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: ann arbor

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

If I came across like I'm commending all with PHd's, then my apologizes, that was NOT my intent. I have quite a few friends with them & as I said, if I just would have done so I would have one too. Actually wish I WOULD had. And I admire those that accomplish such a goal. I just don't think it gives one a "holier than thou" status. (BTW: I DO find this to be very rare & MOST can be quite accommodating, respect is a two way street here) Also, I wish to point out that one does NOT go acting like a bunch of NAZI STORM TROOPERS to try to get anything changed here either. That accomplishes NOTHING but getting everyone mad. - respect is the key here, on BOTH sides. - Also there ARE some things that just CAN'T be changed to ones liking & needs to be for the benefit of the vast majority. That, one just has to live with.

It is just the crap that ZLIM pointed out that bugs me. No matter WHO is doing it. & yes, I've seen the STUDENTS be the A/H's as well. & THAT can bug me just as bad. - I recently had one fellow student that "got into the instructor's face" (so to speak) & I think he irritated ME more than the instructor. Just interrupted the class flow & caused a negative atmosphere if nothing else. - Hope this clears up my little "RANT".

Well enough on that - back on subject - Yes the 2007 (as well as OPEN OFFICE 3) CAN use the other formats & maybe I didn't make that clear as to being the point. Use a format that ALL can use or has. - I DO believe that quite a few people are NOT aware that 2007 uses DOCX by default, (& a very small percentage has access to it) & thus are not aware that they even are causing such a problem until it is pointed out to them. Thus my original post.

tremalle · Joined: Feb 08, 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Jacksonville, FL

This thread went awry...
Baby Tux you sound very young; as you get older you will learn which battles to choose or stroke out by 30 Shocked

Don't mean to lecture but what I have learned to do is look at people as individuals instead of by what their circumstances are. When I do that, I realize that you have good and bad all around despite humanistic categorizing.

Ok, I'm off my soap box. Now what were we discussing? Twisted Evil

Ah yes, editing the registry for MS Office 2007 errors...

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

No, actually I am an O.F. (& mentioned that straight off plus I somewhat mentioned that with the *33 years, on & off, of advanced schooling*) - maybe that is where some of the "grumpyness" comes from. Very Happy

& if I "judge" I do it according to ones OWN merits, NOT by some means of "prejudice"

I DO know when & how to pick my battles. - been there & done that too many times. (had to walk away from to many to count, also) & like I said, maybe I just didn't choose my words correctly to actually make my point on this.(& STILL may have not) & maybe what was said just triggered to many memories that I just got caught up in them. - in my "college" years I only had two or 3 instructors that were A/H's. The rest were quite good at there jobs & willing to help. - As for the OTHERS, my class got the one fired, the other I dealt with one on one with the school board & got them to see reason. The rest I just had to live with. So I guess THIS is why I felt the way I did.

I just was trying to make it clear that this stuff just doesn't need to be *IF* both sides are willing to listen & work on a solution that will benefit ALL. But even when there is a stubborn A/H that won't listen to reason, there is an avenue of recourse that can be taken. Especially when you have the right backing. - but YES, there ARE times when one just has to say this isn't worth it & let it go at that. So here one has to ask there self, "how much of a pain / hardship is this going to be"? If one can live with it, or get around it, so be it. If one can't, then something needs to be done.

BTW: I still believe that THIS situation will cause to many "hardships" for all concerned & a solution needs to be. - & given the nature of all this, the EASIEST solution would be to just have everyone use the DOC format. So what the **** is so wrong with that, that this instructor MUST be so stubborn about it. If THAT question can be answered, then MAYBE I'd change my opinion. (Especially if there is a GOOD REASON - I CAN be flexible, too)

To summarize; what I was reading was an A/H stating "I have a PhD & this is the way *I* want it, so that is the way it is". No rhyme or reason other than that. - Only one person wanting it this way & influencing the board with same said statement & at the same time, causing hardships on ALL others concerned. - this just doesn't fly. (what is it that REALLY makes this person any better than anyone else here)

<<< And once again, my apologies to the OP for the hijacking of this thread - & if I haven't made the point by now, I never will. So as far as I'm concerned, enough said on this, & I won't write any more on it, so lets all get back to the topic, PLEASE >>>