MC1551147 - Microsoft Word: Retirement of legacy compatibility settings

Microsoft 365 Message Center announcement MC1551147.

MS Message Center's Summary

Microsoft is retiring legacy document compatibility settings in Word for Windows starting December 2026 and for Mac in early 2027. This change aims to simplify layout engine behavior but may alter formatting in files created in older software versions. Administrators should assess business critical templates and legacy archives to identify potential visual discrepancies, and consider converting vital records to a fixed format before rollout begins.

Administrator impact
No direct administrator action is required.
End user impact
Users may notice minor text reflow or spacing shifts when opening older documents that rely on retired layout settings.
Importance
3/10: This is a planned retirement affecting document rendering quality for legacy files without requiring administrative configuration.

Converting documents to a newer format

Microsoft Summary

Microsoft Word will retire legacy compatibility settings for documents in Compatibility Mode starting December 2026 (Windows) and early 2027 (Mac). This may cause layout changes in older documents. No action is required, but review important documents if exact layout is critical.

Message Center ID
MC1551147
Category
plan For Change
Severity
normal
Services
Microsoft 365 apps
Tags
User impact, Retirement
Published
2026-11-13
Last updated
2026-11-13
Expires
2026-12-13

[What and Why:] We are retiring a set of compatibility options in Microsoft Word (desktop app) for documents in Compatibility Mode. These settings help preserve how documents were laid out in older versions of Word. We are introducing this change in phases to simplify how Word handles document layout and provide a more consistent experience across platforms. Learn more . Rollout schedule: Word for Windows starting December 2026; Word for Mac starting early 2027. [Rollout Schedule:] We will begin rolling out on early December 2026 and expect to complete by late December 2026. General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out on late December 2026 and expect to complete by early January 2027. General Availability (GCC High): We will begin rolling out on late December 2026 and expect to complete by early January 2027. General Availability (DoD): We will begin rolling out on late December 2026 and expect to complete by early January 2027. [Impact on Your Organization:] Who is affected: Organizations with documents created or last saved in Word 2010 or earlier that use the affected legacy compatibility settings. Platforms and services: Microsoft Word. What will happen: Some legacy compatibility options will be retired. Affected documents may show layout differences, such as text reflow, changes in spacing or page count, or images and shapes moving to another page. [Action Required/Recommendations:] No action is required for the change to take effect. If exact page layout matters for your organization, consider reviewing important older documents before the change reaches your users. To preserve a copy of a document's current appearance, consider exporting it to PDF before the change. [Compliance considerations:] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.