DOC vs DOCX: what is the difference?
Both are Word documents. DOC is the older format Word used until 2007; DOCX is the one it has used since. Here is how they differ, and which to use.
DOC and DOCX side by side
| Question | DOC | DOCX |
|---|---|---|
| Used by Word | Word 97 to Word 2003 | Word 2007 and later |
| Inside the file | A binary format | A zip of XML files |
| Standard | Published by Microsoft, not an open standard | Office Open XML, ISO/IEC 29500 |
| Size | Larger | Usually smaller, because it is compressed |
| Macros | Can carry them | Cannot; a Word file with macros is DOCM |
| Opens in | Word, and most other word processors | Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer and Apple Pages |
Which should you use?
DOCX, unless someone needs to open the file in Word 2003 or older. It is smaller, it is an open standard, and a DOCX cannot carry macros, which makes it safer to open from someone else.
To make a DOC from a DOCX, open it in Word and choose File, Save As, Word 97-2003 Document. Some newer formatting may be simplified.
This converter makes DOCX files, the format every current word processor opens.
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