Attachment Issues

How to Save Gmail Word Attachments as DOCX Instead of PDF

Steve K Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to download Word document attachments from Gmail in their native .docx format rather than having them saved or converted as PDF files.

How to Save Gmail Word Attachments with the Original DOCX Extension

Product: Gmail
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Downloading a Microsoft Word document attachment from an email message in Gmail.
Observed behavior: The downloaded Word attachment appears as a PDF file instead of retaining its original .docx file name extension.

Before you start

Verify with the email sender that the attached file was actually sent as a Microsoft Word (.docx) document and not accidentally exported as a PDF prior to sending.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Direct Download Button in Gmail

Downloading the file using the correct button ensures Gmail does not attempt to preview or print the document to a PDF format.

Often, users accidentally click the Print or Drive preview icons, which can trigger a PDF conversion or save prompt. Using the native download function forces the browser to fetch the exact file sent by the sender.

Locate the attachment

Open the email containing the Word document in your Gmail inbox and scroll down to the attachments area.

Hover over the thumbnail

Move your mouse cursor over the attachment thumbnail to reveal the action icons.

Click Download

Click the downward-pointing arrow icon (Download). Do not click the printer icon, as that will format the Word document as a PDF.

Solution 2

Reveal and Rename File Name Extensions

If the file was downloaded properly but Windows stripped or mislabeled the file extension, you can manually correct it in File Explorer.

Powerful Document Editor

Open and Edit Downloaded Word Attachments with WPS Office

Easily manage, view, and edit all your downloaded email attachments with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment for your Word documents, ensuring your files look exactly as the sender intended.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and complete the quick installation process.
2. Set as Default Application: Right-click any .docx file, select 'Open with', choose WPS Writer, and check 'Always use this app to open .docx files'.
3. Open the Attachment: Double-click your downloaded Gmail Word attachment to open and edit it immediately in WPS Writer.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office .docx and .doc formatsLightweight installation that opens documents instantlyFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interfaceEasily handles all email attachments including Word, Excel, and PDFs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer show a downloaded DOCX file as a PDF?

This usually happens if your operating system's default application for opening .docx files is accidentally set to a web browser or a PDF reader. Changing your default app settings to a word processor will restore the correct file icon and behavior.

Can I download all Gmail attachments at once in their original format?

Yes, you can click the 'Download all attachments' button, which is the downward arrow usually located at the top right of the attachment area. This will download all files in their original formats bundled safely inside a single ZIP file.

What if changing the file extension to .docx makes the file unopenable?

If renaming the extension corrupts the file, it means the file was genuinely a PDF or another format to begin with. You will need to rename the extension back to .pdf or ask the sender to export and re-send the correct Word document.

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