Microsoft Word documents come in two main file formats – the older .DOC format used up until Word 2007, and the newer .DOCX format that has been the default since Word 2007.
The .DOC or “Word Document” format is a proprietary binary file format that can only be properly opened in Microsoft Word or other paid Microsoft applications. Other word processors like Google Docs and LibreOffice can open .DOC files, but may run into compatibility issues.
The .DOCX or “Word Open XML Document” format uses XML and zip compression to store documents. It was designed to replace the older .DOC format with an open standard that can be properly rendered by a wider variety of applications.
Key Differences Between .DOC and .DOCX Files
There are some important technical differences between the older .DOC format and the newer .DOCX format:
File Structure and Compression
- .DOC files use binary encoding to store text, fonts, formatting, and other content in a single inseparable file.
- .DOCX files use XML documents and associated files compressed using zip compression. This makes .DOCX files much smaller in size.
Features and Capabilities
- .DOCX has support for more advanced features like custom XML data, embedded fonts, etc. This makes it more portable and better for complex formatting.
- .DOC has a more limited feature set and may run into compatibility issues when opened in other applications.
Security and Corruption
- .DOC files are more prone to corruption and viruses compared to the well-structured .DOCX format.
- .DOCX has improved security measures like digital signatures to prevent tampering.
Converting Between .DOC and .DOCX Formats
Microsoft Word and most other modern software allow seamless conversion between .DOC and .DOCX formats. Here are some tips for converting documents:
Converting .DOC to .DOCX
- Open the .DOC file in Microsoft Word.
- Go to File > Save As in the menu.
- In the save dialog, choose Word Document (.docx) from the file type dropdown.
- Give the file a name and click Save.
The file will be converted to the .DOCX format. Some formatting adjustments may be needed after conversion.
Converting .DOCX to .DOC
- Open the .DOCX file in Microsoft Word.
- Go to File > Save As in the menu.
- In the save dialog, choose Word 97-2003 Document (.doc) from the file type dropdown.
- Give the file a name and click Save.
The file will be converted to the older .DOC binary format. Some formatting and data may be lost that is not supported by the .DOC specification.
Choosing Between .DOC and .DOCX Formats
When creating new documents, using the modern .DOCX format is recommended for wider compatibility and features. But you may need to use the legacy .DOC format in some cases for compatibility reasons.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding between .DOC vs .DOCX:
- Will you need to collaborate with people using older versions of Word that do not support .DOCX?
- Does the document require special XML data or formatting that is only available in .DOCX?
- Does the document need higher security and corruption protection compared to older .DOC format?
- Do you need to make the document readable by software other than Microsoft Word?
In most cases, .DOCX provides the most portability and features. But the .DOC format may be a better choice in certain cases to support older applications and versions of Microsoft Word.
Summary and Recommendations
- Use .DOCX as the default format for new Word documents for wider compatibility and advanced features
- The .DOC format may be needed to support older versions of Microsoft Word
- Converting between formats is easy, but some formatting/data loss may occur
- Consider factors like compatibility, security, formatting needs when choosing formats
Following these best practices will allow you to produce Word documents that can be seamlessly shared and opened across modern software while still maintaining backward compatibility when needed.
