Should I assume by searching this forum that Microsoft Word documents are not supported (without having a separate viewer) on the 8703e model?

That is correct. They are supported as email attachments, though. However, you can view only.

When OS 4.5 comes out there will be more support with Docs To Go.

I don't quite understand what you're saying that they are supported as e-mail attachments, but I can view only.

I'm trying to open a Word document (not 2007), and it is showing an an unrecognized format.

If someone attaches it to an email and sends it to you, you should be able to open it if you have the "Blackberry Attachment Service" installed in your OS. If you don't have it then use Desktop manager to install it to your BB. You'll need the OS for your device installed to the PC along with Desktop Manager, as well.

I have the Blackberry Attachment Service installed on my Blackberry - and it has the latest OS. Do I need a separate viewer to open Word documents?

Is the document attached to an email that was sent to you?

Yep.

check out eOffice by Dynoplex if you must have the capability to read and edit word and excel files right now. Otherwise, as previously mention such a capability supposedly will be included in OS 4.5

I too cannot open word doc sent as attachments in emails. I can open excel, pdf's images. word docs however fail to open. Unrecognized document format is the error i get.

You need eOffice or the soon to be released something in this century Docs to Go.

Wirelessly posted

Now I don't understand. As mentioned above I should be able to view .doc files as long as they come in as attachments, right? Did I misunderstand something? 'Cause I still can't view .doc attachments.

Not sure. I can view word docs (I'm on BES, though) and have been able to for a long time since my days with a 7100t. You need the Blackberry Attachment Service installed. You might want to make sure you have the latest OS for your device, as well. Beyond that, not sure why you can't view them.

Wirelessly posted

Check on the BES
Check on the attachment service
OS is 4.x.107 the latest released for t-mobile. So I don't know either. I cheked BES settings today and all is within spec there. Until I saw this thread I didn't know I had a problem. Ignorance is bliss.

I am on BIS and cannot open/view word files at all. Can see pdf's however. Running OS 4.2 something on the 8800

I just came to the conclusion that only certain Word documents can be opened - until an OS update comes out.

I can open word and excel files fine on my 8120. The majority of my users (we've got a BES) have 8100s - they can open files created in pre-Office 2007, but they can't if the file is created in Office 2007, no matter if it's a .doc or a .docx etc. I've put it down to the OS version (4.3.0.67 on the 8120, 4.2.1.93 on the 8100s). Does this fit with what other people are seeing?

Wirelessly posted

I read on cnet awhile ago that the 8700 had problem opening up documents maybe I should try to view a document to see if I run into issues.

For the latest Word document that a user is having an issue with, yes it was originally created in 2007, but then converted to 2003. I just sent him an e-mail to find out if he knows if all documents that he cannot open have in common that they were created in Office 2007.

Okay, I guess the story has changed. The Word document was originally created in Office 2003, then modified in Office 2007, and then saved back in 2003 format.