If you receive an email with a file attached and the filename ends with DOCX or XLSX or PPTX that you can’t open with your version of Word/Excel/Powerpoint, its probably because the file is saved in the new format for Office 2007 and Office 2010.
The older versions of Office 2000, 2002, 2003 can’t open these without an update.
Microsoft have made a converter available as a free download:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3
Alternatively you can upgrade to the latest Office 2010 Home and Student (3 pack) for around £89 or
if there’s a pupil or older student using the computer, buy the special education version of Office 2010 Professional Plus from
www.software4students.co.uk approx. £40
You just have to specify the school/college/uni and students name