Difference Between DOC and DOCX Word Documents & How to Convert Them
Question details
The user wants to know the difference between older DOC and newer DOCX Word document formats and how to upgrade legacy documents to the modern format.
- Product
- Word Document
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening, managing, and updating different types of Word document formats to utilize newer editing features.
- Observed behavior
- Documents exhibit different file extensions and icons (.doc vs .docx), with some newer features, such as the modern equation editor, disabled in older formats.
Before converting your documents, confirm that your current word processor supports saving in the newer XML-based format. Be aware that converting very complex legacy layouts may occasionally require minor formatting adjustments.
Convert DOC to DOCX Using the 'Save As' Function
The safest and most common method to update your document format is by saving a new copy as a .docx file.
The older .doc format is binary-based, while the newer .docx format is built on the Office Open XML standard. This newer format creates files that are smaller, less prone to corruption, and compatible with modern word processing tools.
Launch your word processor and open the older .doc file.
Click on the 'File' tab located in the top left corner of the application window, then select 'Save As' from the dropdown menu.
Choose your desired save destination. In the 'Save as type' dropdown menu at the bottom of the dialog box, select 'Word Document (*.docx)'.
Click the 'Save' button. You now have a modern, updated copy of your document.
Convert DOC to DOCX via the File Info Menu
Use the built-in conversion tool in the File menu to upgrade the current document directly, replacing the old file instead of creating a secondary copy.
Easily Manage and Convert DOC/DOCX Files in WPS Office
WPS Office provides full, native compatibility with all Microsoft Word formats, including .doc and .docx. You can seamlessly open older documents, convert them to modern formats without losing data, and utilize advanced editing features—all completely free.
- 1. Launch WPS Writer: Download and open WPS Office, then launch the WPS Writer application.
- 2. Open the DOC file: Click 'Open' and select your existing .doc file to load it into the editor.
- 3. Save as DOCX: Click 'Menu' in the top left corner, select 'Save As', choose 'Microsoft Word Document (*.docx)' as the file type, and click 'Save'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a .docx file if I am using an older version of Word?
Older legacy versions of Word (such as Word 2003) cannot open .docx files natively. You would need to download a Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack or, alternatively, use a modern free office suite like WPS Office to easily view and edit these modern files.
Will converting a .doc file to .docx reduce its file size?
Yes, in almost all cases. The .docx format relies on ZIP compression and an XML-based directory structure, which typically results in significantly smaller file sizes compared to the older binary-heavy .doc format.
Is it safe to delete the original .doc file after converting it to .docx?
Yes. Once you have successfully converted and saved the file as .docx, and visually verified that all formatting, images, and text are intact, it is safe to delete the older .doc file to clear up storage space and avoid version confusion.
Why does it say 'Compatibility Mode' when I open my document?
'Compatibility Mode' appears because you have opened an older .doc file using a modern word processor. The software temporarily restricts newer editing tools to prevent compatibility issues. Converting the file to .docx will exit this mode and unlock all features.
