[Sirsubalot]

Lately I have gotten a few lesson plans on AESOP that are attached as DOCX files that I cannot open.

I am first told that this type of file could be harmful to my computer, and then when clicking on "open" I am told that I cannot open this type of file unless I have microsoft office installed on my computer.

The same box says I can either install microsoft 2010, or start a free trial.

Is this how many teachers attach their plans for subs?

I can study plans at home in advance if given either a PDF attachment in AESOP, or the google classroom link, but with this DOCX file I am out of luck.

I went to look at a plan for Monday but was out of luck.

Do most school employees have microsoft office installed? I am guessing the answer is yes since so many plans are attached this way, so teachers must assume I have it. I must pay for it if I install it.

Am I unusual for not have this installed?

[MalloryJames]

MS Office is pretty standard. You can try using Open Office. It's free and should open a .docx

[kahluablast]

If you are a google user, you can open .docx in google docs.

I don't find .docx strange as it is one of the biggest word programs, if not the biggest. However, I don't have it on my personal computer as I have to buy it and what I have works for my personal use. I do have it on my school computer.

[Sbkangas5]

I don't have it on my school or personal computer. I think most people just don't think of saving as a pdf. It's easy, we just don't think about it.

[Teacherbee_4]

I've always had plans ready for a sub, already printed off with all of the materials. If I felt I was going to be sick the next day, I'd stay late and get them done just in case. I've also contemplated going in early if I was sick to get plans ready, but that's never happened. If for some reason I could get the plans ready and printed off ahead of time, I think I would post them as a PDF or e-mail them to the office or a colleague as a Google doc to print off for the sub.

[MaineSub]

I've had the opposite problem. I am a big Microsoft Office user... when I received documents created in Pages (an Apple program, the extension is .odt.) I used to have trouble opening them. However, compatibility is constantly improving. I now have no trouble opening a Pages file in Microsoft Word (Office).

Also, as others have offered, there are alternatives such as Open Office or using Google Docs.

In my district, office and admin often use Microsoft Office programs, teachers do not.

[jov]

Another free office program is Libre Office...

https://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/install-howto/

My district uses MS Office for everything and I always paid to have it at home to make my life easier. Now that I'm retired, I only need an office program occasionally and the free Libre Office fits the bill. I can download docx files just fine.

[Ima Teacher]

Am I unusual for not have this installed?

Yes. Office is pretty much the industry standard in the PC world. In fact, it is so much of a standard that I can open .docx files on the Macbook, my iPad (using the Office apps), and through Google programs on my Chromebook. OpenOffice allows you to work with Office files for free.

[GreyhoundGirl]

I save mine as a PDF with live links and attach them in AESOP so people don't have to worry about it. I also print them and leave them.

[Sirsubalot]

I have been recovering from surgery for over three weeks, so have not encountered another DOCX file until tonight.

I went to my google Docs, but I do not know how to transfer this DOCX file from AESOP into my google docs folder. They seem like completely different entities.

I would welcome suggestions on how to get this Aesop link into my district google docs files.

[kahluablast]

Can you download the file to your computer? After that, in your google drive you will upload it so that you can open in. If you have google drive open, click the drop down arrow beside my drive and upload the file. Then you can open it.