Microsoft has finally released file format converters that allow Office 2004 for Mac to read the Open XML file formats that were introduced in Office 2007 for Windows.

The converters should have been available around the time of Office 2007’s launch but Microsoft delayed their release several times because it was too busy prioritising work on its Office 2008 suite.

Microsoft delayed the converters to concentrate instead on the latest version of its software because after all that’s where the money is. Tweaking a product already on the market doesn’t exactly bump up sales, it just improves compatibility for a few Apple fans who use Office 2004 on their beloved Macs.

The software giant released the converters and some other updates to Office 2004 and Office 2008 yesterday. All of which can be downloaded here. ®

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