6

I am working with large excel files (for personal projects) and have been advised to install the 64-bit Office 2016 rather than the 32-bit Office 2016 for improved performance. I have read online that the Office 64-bit can have 'backward compatibility' problems but haven't found anything detailing these compatibility problems.

Unfortunately, I must use my own computer at work, where I produce complex excel files (by complex I mean large amounts of formulas and some basic macros) for work colleagues to use.

So, I have got two questions:

  1. What exactly can 'backward compatibility problems' entail?

  2. Knowing that my colleagues use Office 32-bit (and sometimes older than Windows 7), if I create these excel files on the 64-bit Office 2016, what kind of 'backward compatibility' problems could I expect, if any?

P.S.: I do not use any plug-ins and most people I work with don't even know what a macro is.

1
  • 6
    "Office 64-bit can have 'backward compatibility' problems but haven't found anything detailing these compatibility problems." - This simply means that the 64-bit installation of Office cannot use 32-bit add-ons. This warning does not apply to any Excel document you create.
    – Ramhound
    Oct 25, 2016 at 16:22

3 Answers 3

7

As you can see in this MS article Compatibility Between the x86 and x64 Versions of Office, there are not much issues between the normal operation of the x86 and x64 version for the normal user; there are though, issues when using VBA in office files but the article lists workaround for that, and that x86 addons (which are the most out there) would not work.

The benefits are that office x64 can use more memory for working with big files, and also the size limit of the files is not restricted to 2GB.

The files created with x64 version of Office are completely compatible with the x86 versions as long as their size is below 2GB and have compatibility for the new filetype (Office 2007 and up, docx, xlsx, etc.)

4

Some macros must be written differently, but it is usually the case of a single corrected declaration rather than having to rewrite the entire thing, and plugins for 32bit versions of Office cannot run in the 64bit version of Office.

Also, if you have any of the various other "Office" products such as Skype for Business or Microsoft Office Document Imaging or Project in the 32bit versions, you may encounter issues during installation. Typically, uninstalling the 32bit applications, installing the 64bit Office, and then reinstalling the 32bit applications again will work just fine.

Based on what you've described, I believe it is very unlikely you'll encounter any of these issues if you were to remove the 32bit Office and install the 64bit Office.

1
  • I only use Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote and, very rarely, Access and basic free Skype. So I guess that clears the issues, right? Oct 25, 2016 at 19:48
2

There are several possible issues

  • ODBC | going to 64 bit uses a different odbc connector. While this can be ok with you, it may cause problems for users who only have a 32 bit odbc system

  • Max Size | If you have a lot of memory, great for you. However, you can easily make workbooks that are so huge it will swamp the users with 32 bit systems without you having any issues.

    Additional items dealing with older files and some add-ins. Because you do not have the old plug-ins does not mean the 32 bit users do not have them.

3
  • You can use odbc 32-bit on windows 64-bit if you want. I've done this several times on windows workstations and servers.
    – Sun
    Oct 25, 2016 at 17:13
  • I was talking about the other end with 32 bit only not being able to use some 64 bit odbc. Also, for 64 bit, some of the older odbc drivers are 32 bit only and there may not be a 64 bit equivalent.
    – bvaughn
    Oct 25, 2016 at 17:16
  • 1
    The majority of my co-workers look at excel like it's the boogieman even when they only have to insert data into form-like worksheets (formatted so no scary cells are visible) or to click buttons to print out results. In fact, most of them aren't even able to merge cells in Word tables and I doubt any of them knows the terms 'add-in' or 'plug-in'. It actually gets kind of depressing. Oct 25, 2016 at 19:41

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .