What is a DOCX file?
A DOCX file is a document created by Microsoft Word or exported by another word processing program, such as OpenOffice Writer or Apple Pages. It contains formatted text and may also include images, tables, charts, and other document elements. DOCX files are widely used in home, academic, and business environments for letters, resumes, invitations, newsletters, and other documents.
DOCX files store data in the Open XML Document format, which was introduced with Microsoft Word 2007. It replaced the .DOC file format as the standard format for saving documents in Word. Unlike DOC files, which store document data in a single binary file, DOCX files save data as separate files and folders in a compressed Zip package. Within a DOCX file are XML files and three folders: Word, docProps, and _rels, which store the content, document properties, and relationships between the files.
The Open XML format is designed to make document content more open and accessible. For example, document text is saved in plain text files, and document images are stored as individual image files, such as .JPG or .PNG, within the DOCX file. The included files may also contain page formatting information, authorship data, and document review notes.
NOTE: To explore the contents of a DOCX file, rename the .docx extension to .zip and then decompress the resulting file with any Zip decompression utility.
Common DOCX Filenames
Document1.docx - The default filename that Microsoft Word gives to new documents.
How do I open a DOCX file?
You can open a DOCX file with Microsoft Word in Windows and macOS. Word is the best option for opening DOCX files because it fully supports the formatting of Word documents, which includes images, charts, tables, and text spacing and alignment. Word is also available for Android and iOS devices.
You can also open DOCX files with other word processors, but some of the formatting of the original documents may be lost. Alternative word processors that support DOCX files include Corel WordPerfect (Windows), Apple Pages (Mac), and Apache OpenOffice Writer (multiplatform).
You can open DOCX files with various programs online. Google Docs is a free web application that allows you to upload a DOCX file and view, edit, save, and convert the document.
