A Microsoft Word document is a file with a doc or docx extension. Until the 1990s, the doc extension was used for text files that did not contain markup. And now you can make sure that a file of this type is easy to create using, for example, the Notepad program. True, it will not have rich formatting, but it can easily be opened by the Word program, in which the text typed in a notepad can be given a more formal look. When Microsoft released the Word program, the developers decided to use the doc extension in it. To date, this text editor is the most popular in the world, so a file with the doc extension is associated with this software product and is simply called the “Word format”.
What is docx format? doc format - what is the difference, history
Hello, friends! Beginning Word users sometimes ask the question what Docx or Doc is. Today we will talk about these formats in detail.
So, what is docx format? This is a document file format designed for storing, creating and processing texts in Word. It is part of the Office Open XML (Extensible Markup Language) family of formats. This document was created by Microsoft Office Word in 2008, based on the Word 2007 office suite. This format can store the styles of different documents, formatting, pictures, videos, links, document objects and other data (screen 1).
What is Doc format? This is an extension that stands for a text file of a Word document. That is, a format for storing text documents, like docx. The format was created in 1985, and was constantly updated until 2007. This document format is also used in the Word text editor.
What is the difference between Docx and Doc formats? The first difference between the docx format and doc is working with versions of Word. That is, a document in docx format is used in Word 2007 and newer. The doc format works with older versions of Word.
The second difference between the formats is compression. The Docx document file uses data compression. It allows you to compress documents without losing quality in kilobytes. While the doc format cannot do this.
The last difference is format incompatibility. For example, the doc format is not compatible with many programs. And the docx format works great on a computer and other devices.
If you have a problem opening docx or doc formats, later in the article we will look at how you can open them.
About Microsoft Office Word 2007 files
Microsoft Office 2007 introduced a new file format based on the XML language. By default, documents created in Word 2007 are saved with a new filename extension, which is created by adding an " x " or " m " suffix to the usual extension. The " x " suffix indicates that the XML file does not contain macros, and the " m " suffix indicates that the XML file contains macros. Thus, regular Word 2007 file names have the extension docx rather than doc .
Files are automatically compressed, and in some cases can be up to 75 percent smaller in size than in previous versions of Word.
The format provides improved recovery of damaged files. The files are built on a modular basis, in which different data components are stored separately from each other. This allows files to be opened even if a component (such as a chart or table) is destroyed or damaged.
It should be noted that the new file formats cannot be worked with in previous versions of Word.
How to open docx format on a computer
So, to open the docx format on a computer, you need the appropriate programs. Text editors will help you with this:
- Online office program - an article was written about it on the blog.
- Microsoft Office Word 2007 and other versions of the program.
- Free suite of office applications Open Office.
- Lybri Office text document.
- Other programs that are similar to Word.
Let's consider opening documents in docx or doc format using Word 2007. First, you need to download and install the appropriate version of the Word program on your computer in order to open these formats. Then, right-click on the document, then the “Open” button (screen 2).
To open doc format, also use text editors.
In addition, you can use the article on the blog: “how to open files if you don’t know their extension.” The article will help you find out file extensions and open files on your computer.
Set up automatic saving of a document in Word
The Word editor by default saves text after a certain period of time. You can change these settings to reduce the chance of document loss.
- Click the File .
- Select an item from the menu Options.
- On the left side of the new window, select Autosave .
- On the right, find the current value. The default is 10 minutes. In other words, every ten minutes the file will be saved. Specify the required amount of time and make sure that at the point Keep latest version when closing the checkbox has been checked.
In this window, you can configure the location where the automatic versions of the Word document will be saved.
This may be useful: How to make a slide in Power Point.
How to open doc (docx) format on iPhone
You need to install an application on your iPhone that will open doc and docx formats. One of the applications is Office reader. You can download it to your iPhone from the AppStore.
You need to find the application through the search and click “Install”. Once the program is installed, launch it on your iPhone. Then, find documents in the program with doc or docx formats (screen 3).
Click on the found formats and the document will open for viewing.
At the same time, you can install other applications on your iPhone:
- Smart Office;
- All documents;
- and other applications.
The listed programs work without problems, you can use them for free.
OpenOffice Writer
The OpenOffice package is the main competitor of LibreOffice, so in terms of functionality it does not lag behind it. You can also view and edit files with the extension ".docx" using the application provided by this package. The name of this application is similar to the previous one - “Writer”. To open a file using it, do the following:
- Launch OpenOffice, click on "File", then select "Open". You can perform a similar operation by pressing the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+O".
Click on “File”, then select “Open” - Carry out operations similar to the two previous methods - select a file from the directory and click "Open".
Select a file from the directory and click “Open” - After this, the “.docx” document will be opened in OpenOffice Writer.
".docx" document opened in OpenOffice Writer
On a note! OpenOffice also provides the ability to quickly open files, which is done through moving.
Moving an OpenOffice “.docx” file by dragging it with the mouse into the program window
How to open doc (docx) files online
There are special services on the Internet that open documents in doc or docx formats. Let's list the popular resources:
- Google Docs Online;
- Yandex disk opens for viewing and downloading documents;
- Google drive;
- online-reader.com;
- groupdocs.app/viewer/docx;
- com/Welcome/
- and other resources.
Let's look at how to open a doc format in the service “onlinedocumentviewer.com/Welcome/”. First, open the service in your browser. Next, click the “UPLOAD File” button (screen 4).
Then click on the “Browse” button to select and upload the doc document from your computer (screen 5).
On other services, documents in doc and docx formats are opened using a similar principle.
How to write to PDF or XPS
These formats are the most accessible and popular for limiting editing. The recipient of the document will only be able to view the content. To make this setting, you need:
- Open file";
- Select “Save As”;
- Enter the name of the text in the appropriate field;
- In the file type selection list, select PDF or XPS;
- If viewing will only be online, you can reduce the size - click “Minimum size”;
- If you need to partially record text, include recorded edits, file properties, or create hyperlinks, select the appropriate items in “Options”;
- Confirm the changes.
Problems with docx and doc extensions, how to solve them
While working with docx documents, problems arise with the display of the document, for example, part of the text cannot be read. What to do in this case? You can convert this document to other formats using online converter services.
In addition, you can restore the document. Open Word 2010 or higher on your computer. Click the “File” button at the top and then “Open”. Then upload the damaged document from your computer and click the “Open and Repair” button. If this method does not help you recover the document, you can use the instructions from. It offers other options for solving this problem.
Quickly save Word documents
Each version of the word processor Word has a virtual button for quickly saving documents. It is located at the top of the window in the form of a floppy disk. While working in the program, you need to click on it once, and the document will be saved.
The text file can be found at the location where it was created. The save status appears momentarily at the bottom of the document window. No other notifications appear at the time of saving. If there is no button on the panel, you can enable it in the settings. You need to open the Quick Access Toolbar and add a button.
Currently reading: How to reverse text.
How to save progress if Word freezes
Often, especially on “weak” computers, problems with programs occur. Failure of Word may result in you losing the data you entered recently. There are three ways to try to recover text after a program or computer crashes:
- Call the task manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete) and “End task” Word. Most likely, the system will ask whether to record the changes. The document will open again in a few minutes and will include the latest data.
- If the work session was terminated incorrectly, you can find the data in the temporary folder C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Temp. This includes copies of documents that were not recorded properly. So, even when you turn off the computer, there is a chance to return the text.
- Put your PC into Sleep Mode. After this, “wake up” him. The method helps against freezing.
