• Doesn't open docx. How to open DOC and DOCX text format on Android

    Doc is the standard extension for files created text editor Microsoft Word, starting from version 97 and up to version 2003, or applicationWordPad. Such formats are now virtually obsolete.

    Versions Word editors since 2007 have been working with documents that have extensiondocx. Accordingly, the standard program for opening a file in the old format will be the version of Word up to 2003 inclusive or WordPad, and in the new one - Word 2007 or more modern.

    How do document formats differ?

    doc files are binary(binary) files that may have different structure, depending on the specific version of the program that created them. Documents created by WordPad differ from Word towards primitiveness.

    File type docx is based on the format Office Open XML. It is different from its predecessors expanded possibilities for recovery in case of damage. At its core, it is a zip archive of XML text and supporting documents located in folders. If you open primer.docx with a 7-zip archiver, you will see something like this:

    What do the doc and docx extensions open?

    What other applications can open documents with doc and docx extensions? The list is quite large, but there are some nuances when using them. Microsoft Corporation has traditionally closes its developments from free use, so third-party developers often have compatibility issues.


    But primer.docx with similar content suffered some losses - text below disappeared. In general, Writer from OpenOffice.org should be used very carefully when working with Word texts.



    The text inscription is lost. When trying to edit service warns that the result will be saved as docx.

    Many when downloading or saving test documents created using the application Microsoft Office, are faced with concepts such as doc and docx format. At first glance, the difference is just one extra character, but if the installed service can only support a certain type of file, a lot of inconvenience often arises.

    Most often today you can find files with the docx extension, but the previously popular .doc files are no less relevant. True, they are gradually used less and less. And the office is more modern models is able to open both types of files, which cannot be said about more outdated versions of the software product.

    Defining two file types

    Before you start talking about the differences between formats such as .doc and .docx, you should understand the designation of each of them.

    By doc we understand a certain type of electronic documents that are generated when working with Microsoft Word. At first it was just an extension for a group of files, but later it began to refer to a series of individual Microsoft formats,

    Docx is an abbreviation that stands for Office Open XML. This extension of text documents is used to create electronic documents using a software package from Microsoft.

    Key differences between the two file types

    First of all, the difference between files with these formats is manifested in the possibility of their use in different versions of packages from Microsoft. Software products released earlier than 2003 (including the product of the specified year) will not be able to open and allow you to work with the docx format. Using files with this resolution is only possible in Office versions from 2007. At the same time, a package of any year can recognize files with the doc extension.

    But it is worth remembering that starting with Microsoft Word 2007, there are many more possibilities when creating text documents. Therefore, when opening the old .doc format in a more modern editor, the message “Mode limited functionality”, which will not allow you to use all the features of the editor, because you won’t be able to save them in doc anyway. In order to fully work with the document, you should save it in the improved docx format.

    To solve the issue of opening a docx file, a special converter has been created, which, when used, unpacks the required file with the further possibility of adjustment if necessary. After all, in essence, docx files are special zip archives that contain the actual document in XML form, as well as all the graphs, drawings, tables and diagrams. There are also files that define the structure and parameters of the document’s content. Version 2003 and earlier cannot handle the unpacking process itself.

    It is this compression that is considered one of the main differences between the two types. office documents. True, thanks to it the file size becomes significantly smaller. The difference is especially noticeable in files that contain a large number of pictures or graphs. Docx is much more convenient for storing because it takes up little space on your hard drive.

    It is also worth paying attention to the compatibility of files with other word processors. The docx format is partially supported in them, but doc opens very poorly. There is one software product that can easily open a file with a docx extension.

    Also, the docx format cannot be used with fonts that are drawn from right to left. And this type of Files only supports native Microsoft formats without paying attention to established standards.

    The main differences between doc and docx formats

    From the information received, the following can be highlighted:

    1. A text document in docx format can be opened exclusively by Microsoft products since 2007, while doc can be opened by various versions of Word.
    2. The docx file uses a zip container that contains the document in XML form.
    3. Doc does not assume a compression function at all.
    4. Third-party programs are not (or very poorly) compatible with the doc extension.

    Knowing the distinctive features of such files, it is now easy to navigate the advisability of using each of them.

    You"re here because you have a file that has a file extension ending in .docx. Files with the file extension .docx can only be launched by certain applications. It"s possible that .docx files are data files rather than documents or media , which means they"re not meant to be viewed at all.

    what is a .docx file?

    The DOCX file extension is related to Microsoft Word developed by Microsoft Corporation in its version of 2007 and 2010. This new document format has also the same purpose as to the file extensions .DOC and .DOCM respectively. It uses the open XML formatting and utilizes the ZIP compression files for multiple documents. Microsoft Word is a program contained in Microsoft Office Suite widely used by users for their office and organizational works. It allows them to create documents needed in their everyday management of tasks and other related concerns. Microsoft Word offers a multitude of writing tools that users find easy to execute when creating a document. They also have a complete hand of macros which automate their everyday work on a document. Shortcut keys that give quick actions to whatever they would like to do. It is composed of basic commands that users can easily access and very useful in various documents created and edited.

    how to open a .docx file?

    Launch a .docx file, or any other file on your PC, by double-clicking it. If your file associations are set up correctly, the application that"s meant to open your .docx file will open it. It"s possible you may need to download or purchase the correct application. It"s also possible that you have the correct application on your PC, but .docx files aren"t yet associated with it. In this case, when you try to open a .docx file, you can tell Windows which application is the correct one for that file. From then on, opening a .docx file will open the correct application.

    applications that open a .docx file

    Microsoft Word

    Microsoft Word is a word processor program that is packed in the Microsoft Office Suite. It is developed by Microsoft Corporation, generating a .doc file extension when the file is saved. A document file format (.doc) is a text or binary file format for saving documents on a storage media, mainly for computer use, like typing text, charts, tables, page formatting, graphs, images and other documents whose content is created and edited. Contents of these documents are printable in any sizes and are capable of opening in other devices provided that its operating system is able to read DOC files. This .doc file extension has become extensive de facto standard for office documents, but it is an owned format and is not always totally supported by other word processors. A variety of programs that is able to open this type of file, and different operating systems and have installed programs that can open a 1ST file are: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Notepad, Microsoft Word, IBM Lotus WordPro, and Corel WordPerfect.

    Microsoft Write

    Microsoft Write

    Microsoft Write (MS Write) software is a word processing application, created for earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, and has a new counterpart word processing program, the Microsoft WordPad, which is bundled with later versions of Microsoft Windows. It uses files with .wri extension as output files that are generated by the software. These files are word documents and MS Write can develop its visual presentation with the use of .wri documents where users are able to format and make layouts. Early versions of Microsoft Works application as a word processing software can be used to open and view the contents of .wri format. Other applications that are able to open and view .wri files are Corel WordPerfect Office X6 and some word and text editors for Microsoft Windows based system, such as Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Notepad, and Planamesa NeoOffice application or the so called Microsoft Word 2011 in the Mac version.


    Microsoft Works

    Microsoft Works

    Microsoft Works is incorporated package software that was developed by Microsoft. It is less expensive, smaller, and has fewer features than Microsoft Office or other office suites. Its central functionality includes a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system. Newer versions have a calendar application and a dictionary while older versions included a terminal emulator. Files with WPS extension is utilized for output files of the Microsoft Works word processing application. These files are classified as text documents that can be created, saved, viewed and edited using the Microsoft Works program. Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Publisher 2010, Planamesa NeoOffice, and OxygenOffice Professional are some of the applications that are able to open and view the content of these WPS files. The contents of these WPS files can also be exported to other compatible word document formats. This promotes convenience and efficient document presentation, group collaboration and sharing between users of different systems and word processing applications; however, WPS document cannot be applied with macros and other formatting options available in Microsoft Word; so Microsoft discontinued support and development of the Microsoft Works application with its version 9 and the release of Microsoft Word 2010.

    Microsoft Office Word Viewer

    Microsoft Office Word Viewer

    Microsoft Word Viewer is a separate freeware program for Microsoft Windows that lets users (who do not own Microsoft Word), view and prints documents that were made in Microsoft Office. Microsoft Word Viewer is not available for sale but it can be downloaded from the Microsoft website for free. In order to check over viewed documents it is required to copy the text to the clipboard and paste into an alternative editor. According to the terms of the Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 license agreement, the software may be installed and used to view and screen print documents made with Microsoft Office software. It may not be used for any other purpose. Supported file formats in Microsoft Word Viewer are: doc, docx, docm, dot, rtf, wri, txt, htm, html, mht, mhtml, XML, wpd, and wps. For viewing Office Open XML text documents (docx, docm), the "Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats" must be installed.

    Microsoft Word 2010

    Microsoft Word 2010

    Microsoft Word 2010 is a tool being used for word processing which is a part of the Microsoft office 2010 which was developed by Microsoft. It has improved features which aim to help its users in creating documents of skilled-quality and at the same time providing its user easier ways to access files. It was specifically designed with premium formatting tools which aid in the organization and writing of documents in an easier manner. Microsoft Word 2010 offers it users a wide variety of new and enhanced tools. It has customizable themes which aim to coordinate fonts, graphic formats as well as colors in a document. It has a wide variety of SmartArt graphics which includes several layouts in order to organize picture diagrams as well as charts. It offers an enhanced version of Find tools as well as Navigation Pane which makes it easier to search, reorganize and browse documents.

    Those who work a lot with text documents have probably come across files with the docx extension. Many users are confused by these files; they do not know how to open docx. In this article we will look at programs with which you can work with docx files.

    Microsoft Word 2007 or newer versions

    The docx format gained popularity after its release office suite Microsoft Office 2007. Microsoft Word 2007, which is included in this office suite, by default offers to save new documents in docx format.

    Therefore it is Microsoft program Word 2007 provides the highest quality support for this format.

    Microsoft Word 2003

    One of the most popular office programs still remains Microsoft Word 2003. If you use just such a program, you can also open the docx format. But since initially this program If you are unable to work with docx, you will have to download an add-on that will add support for this format to the program.

    The add-on is distributed absolutely free of charge and can be easily downloaded from the Microsoft website: .

    Free office suites OpenOffice and LibreOffice

    The Microsoft Word text editor works great with docx files. But this program is part of the paid office suite Microsoft Office. So if you need free solution in order to open a docx file, then turn your attention to the free office suites OpenOffice and LibreOffice.

    These office suites include text editor called Writer. With its help, you can open and edit a docx file without any problems.

    Online docx to doc converter

    If all the methods described above did not work for you, and you still don’t know how to open a docx file, then perhaps an online converter from docx to doc format will be useful to you. This service is located at .

    With its help you can easily and quickly turn a docx file into a regular one doc file, which can then be opened by any program that supports it.

    In order to convert docx to doc, just click on the “Browse” button and select the desired docx file. After which the service will perform the conversion and offer to download the doc file, to do this you need to click on the “Download” button.

    It often happens that you urgently need to open a certain document, but the necessary program is not on your computer. The most common option is the absence of the Microsoft office suite installed and, as a result, the inability to work with DOCX files.

    Fortunately, the problem can be solved through the use of appropriate Internet services. Let's figure out how to open a DOCX file online and fully work with it in the browser.

    How to View and Edit DOCX Online

    There are a considerable number of services on the Internet that allow one way or another to open documents in DOCX format. That's just really powerful tools There are only a few of this kind among them. However, the best of them can completely replace their stationary counterparts due to the presence of all the same functions and ease of use.

    Method 1: Google Docs

    Oddly enough, it was the Good Corporation that created the best browser analogue of the Microsoft office suite. Google's tool allows you to fully work in the cloud with Word documents, Excel tables and PowerPoint presentations.

    The only drawback of this solution is that only authorized users have access to it. Therefore, before opening the DOCX file, you will have to sign in to your Google account.

    If there is none, go through a simple registration procedure.

    1. To upload a DOCX file to Google Docs, click the directory icon at the top right.
    2. In the window that opens, go to the tab.
    3. Next, click on the button that says "Select a file on your computer" and select the document in the file manager window.

      There is another way - just drag the DOCX file from Explorer to the appropriate area on the page.

    4. As a result, the document will be opened in the editor window.

    When working with a file, all changes are automatically saved in the “cloud”, namely on your Google Drive. Once you have finished editing the document, you can download it again to your computer. To do this, go to "File" - "Download as" and select the desired format.

    If you're at least a little familiar with Microsoft Word, working with DOCX in Google Docs won't take much getting used to. The differences in the interface between the program and the online solution from Good Corporation are minimal, and the set of tools is completely similar.

    Method 2: Microsoft Word Online

    The Redmond company also offers its own solution for working with DOCX files in the browser. The Microsoft Office Online package also includes the familiar word processor Word. However, unlike Google Docs, this tool is a significantly “cut down” version of the program for Windows.

    However, if you need to edit or view a non-bulky and relatively simple file, Microsoft's service is also perfect for you.

    Again, you will not be able to use this solution without authorization. Login account Microsoft will have to, because, as in Google Docs, our own “cloud” is used to store edited documents. In this case, it is the OneDrive service.

    After logging into your account, you will see an interface very similar to the main menu stationary version MS Word. There is a list on the left recent documents, and on the right is a grid with templates for creating a new DOCX file.

    Immediately on this page you can upload a document for editing to the service, or rather to OneDrive.

    1. Just find the button "Send document" at the top right of the list of templates and use it to import a DOCX file from your computer’s memory.
    2. After loading the document, a page with an editor will open, the interface of which is even more reminiscent of Word than Google's.

    As in Google Docs, everything, even minimal changes, are automatically saved in the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your data. Having finished working with the DOCX file, you can simply leave the page with the editor: the finished document will remain in OneDrive, from where it can be downloaded at any time.

    Another option is to immediately download the file to your computer.

    1. To do this, first go to the section "File" MS Word Online menu bar.
    2. Then select "Save As" in the list of options on the left.

      All that remains is to use the appropriate method for downloading the document: in its original format, as well as with the PDF or ODT extension.

    In general, Microsoft's solution does not have any advantages over Google Docs. Unless you actively use OneDrive storage and want to quickly edit a DOCX file.

    Method 3: Zoho Writer

    This service is less popular than the previous two, but this is by no means deprived of functionality. On the contrary, Zoho Writer offers even more advanced document processing capabilities than Microsoft's solution.

    To use this tool, you do not need to create a separate Zoho account: you can simply log in to the site using Google account, Facebook or LinkedIn.

    1. So, on the welcome page of the service, to start working with it, click on the button "Start Writing".
    2. Next, create a new Zoho account by entering your email address in the field "Email Address", or use one of the social networks.
    3. After authorization in the service, you will be presented with work area online editor.
    4. To upload a document to Zoho Writer, click on the button "File" in the top menu bar and select "Import document".
    5. A form will appear on the left for uploading a new file to the service. There are two options to choose from for importing a document into Zoho Writer - from your computer’s memory or via a link.
    6. After you have used one of the methods for downloading a DOCX file, click on the button that appears "Open".
    7. As a result of these actions, the contents of the document will appear in the editing area after a few seconds.

    After making the necessary changes to the DOCX file, you can download it again to your computer’s memory. To do this, go to "File" - "Download as" and select the required format.

    As you can see, this service somewhat cumbersome, but despite this, very convenient to use. In addition, Zoho Writer can easily compete with Google Docs in terms of the variety of various functions.

    Method 4: DocsPal

    If you do not need to change the document, but only need to view it, the DocsPal service would be an excellent solution in this case. This tool does not require registration and allows you to quickly open the desired DOCX file.

      1. To go to the document viewing module on the DocsPal website, go to home page select tab "View files".
      2. Next, upload the DOCX file to the site. To do this, click on the button "Select file" or just drag and drop required document to the appropriate area of ​​the page.
      3. Once you have prepared the DOCX file for import, click the button "View file" at the bottom of the form.
      4. As a result, after fairly quick processing, the document will be presented on the page in a readable form.

    Essentially, DocsPal converts each page of a DOCX file into a separate image and therefore you will not be able to work with the document. Only the read option is available.

    Drawing a conclusion, it can be noted that truly complete tools for working with DOCX files in the browser are Google services Documents and Zoho Writer. Word Online, in turn, will help you quickly edit a document in the OneDrive cloud. Well, DocsPal is best for you if you only need to look at the contents of a DOCX file.