This is the "useWord2002TableStyleRules" element defined as, "This element specifies that applications shall emulate the behavior of a previously existing word processing application (Microsoft Word 2002) when determining the formatting resulting from table styles applied to tables within a WordprocessingML document."
No further definition is of the expected behavior is given.

Define the intended behavior.
We appreciate that this element is intended for backwards compatibility and is optional. However, if a vendor does want to fully implement the standard, for example, in order to read and display all OOXML documents, then this definition is insufficient.
On the other hand, if we think that no other vendor will fully implement this specification, then this brings into question its suitability for an International Standard.

page 1481, lines 9-14 Part 4, Section 2.15.3.63

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Proposed Disposition of DIS 29500 Comment CL-0103 (Modified: 2007-12-20) Agreed; we will fully define the information necessary to implement this property (specified below). This description provides all of the information needed to mimic a behavior observed in a previously existing word processing application (Word 2002). In addition, we will remove it from its current location in the specification (Part 4, §2.15.3.63, page 1,481), and place it into a new annex for deprecated features. Following the precedent set by other ISO standards (such as SQL’s ISO 9075:2003 Part 1 and C++’s ISO/IEC 14882:1998), we will make use of a new Annex that contains normative descriptions of all deprecated features. The intent of this Annex is to enable a transitional period during which existing binary documents being migrated to DIS 29500 can make use of those deprecated features to preserve their fidelity, while noting that new documents should not use them. Accordingly, the Conformance clause will also be changed to state that newly created documents (those not created by migrating existing binary documents) should not use deprecated features. All deprecated features will be removed from their current locations in the standard, but will be fully defined in this new Annex. To provide a full description, the intended behaviour of the useWord2002TableStyleRules element should be explicitly described; the following changes will be made to Part 4, §2.15.3.63, page 1,481, lines 5­24: 2.15.3.63 useWord2002TableStyleRules (Incorrectly Display Top Border of Conditional Columns) This element specifies whether applications should incorrectly calculate the top border of conditional columns (as specified by a tblStylePr element (§2.7.5.6) with a type attribute value of firstCol , lastCol , band1Vert , or band2Vert ) under the following conditions: A conditional formatting has also been defined for the first row (a tblStylePr element with a type attribute of firstRow ) That conditional formatting as been applied to the table using the tblLook element (§2.4.51) Typically, table styles are applied according to the logic defined in §2.7.5. This element, when present with a val attribute value of true (or equivalent), specifies that the top border of those conditionally formatted columns should instead be displayed as the top border of the following row. [Example: Consider a WordprocessingML document with table style that defines two conditional formats: The first column has a one point border The first row has red shading That style would be defined as follows: <w:style w:type="table" w:customStyle="1" w:styleId="TableTest"> <w:name w:val="CompatibilitySetting"/> <w:tblStylePr w:type="firstRow"> <w:tcPr> <w:shd w:val="clear" w:color="auto" w:fill="FF0000"/> </w:tcPr> </w:tblStylePr> <w:tblStylePr w:type="firstCol"> <w:tcPr> <w:tcBorders> <w:top w:val="single" w:sz="4" w:space="0" w:color="auto"/> <w:left w:val="single" w:sz="4" w:space="0" w:color="auto"/> <w:bottom w:val="single" w:sz="4" w:space="0" w:color="auto"/> <w:right w:val="single" w:sz="4" w:space="0" w:color="auto"/> </w:tcBorders> </w:tcPr> </w:tblStylePr> </w:style> If the first column and first row formatting is applied, the table would appear as follows: However, if this compatibility setting is turned on: <w:compat> <w:useWord2002TableStyleRules /> </w:compat> Then the condition described by this element causes the top border defined by the conditional format for the first column to be displayed as the top border for the second column, resulting in the following output: end example] Similar Comments: CL-0004 , CO-0111 , CZ-0021 , DK-0018 , FR-0068 , GB-0236 , GH-0011 , GR-0039 , IN-0036 , IR-0026 , KR-0014 , PT-0053 , US-0067