Microsoft Word was first released in 1985, and there are currently over 1 billion people all over the world who use Microsoft Office to help them accomplish their daily tasks.
If you’ve ever used Word, then you’re probably no stranger to what a Word document looks like.
However, you might also know that when you go to save the document, you’re presented with more than a few options as to your preference of file format.
If this has left you feeling confused, then here’s everything you need to know about the difference between DOC and DOCX Microsoft Word files.
A Brief History of Word Documents
When Microsoft first released Word for MS-DOS, it started by using the DOC format. This quickly became the most popular file format and its popularity lasted for nearly 30 years.
Until 2006, Word was also the only program that officially supported DOC files. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, other programs could finally support the DOC file format, but the full range of capabilities and functions wouldn’t work.
It was in 2006 that Microsoft decided to open the specification and then the file was reverse-engineered. In 2008, the file format became available on other programs and platforms.
This is part of the reason why you can download a file from Google Docs as a Microsoft Word file. However, you’ll notice that you’re only able to save as a DOCX file. Why?
Microsoft had a lot of competition in word processing and finally decided to release an office publisher that used Extensible Markup Language rather than the binary-based format.
This led to the creation of the XML-based DOCX file that we’re so familiar with today. We’ll explore the differences between the two different file formats below, but first, we’ll let you in on a little secret: there’s really no difference at all.
The DOCX file became pretty standard for business and personal use in 2008 when Microsoft Word 2007 became fully implemented and widely-used.
What you’ll find is that some users have trouble opening certain files. This is the biggest difference.
Understanding the Difference Between DOC and DOCX Files
The easiest way to understand the difference between DOC and DOCX files is to understand first that they’re both word processing files from Word.
The biggest and really only difference is the year of the program that created them.
If you’re using Word 2003, then it’s likely that your processor will automatically save documents as DOC files. If you’re using Word 2007 or a newer version of the software, then the program will save your documents as DOCX files.
This really means that there’s not much of a difference. There is, however, a problem that arises when most people try to switch back and forth between a DOC and a DOCX file.
If a client, colleague, or friend sends you a DOCX file and your use Word 2003 or an earlier version, you’ll find that you can’t open the file.
To be able to open the file, you’ll either need to:
- Upgrade your current version of Word. All you need is at least Word 2007 to ensure that you can open a DOCX file.
- Purchase Microsoft Office! If you’re working off a bootleg version of Word, then you won’t be able to upgrade it. This is the problem, unfortunately, that most people run into.
- Purchase Microsoft’s “compatibility pack.” If you don’t want to upgrade your current version of Word, then you can get the compatibility pack that should allow an older version of Word to open a DOCX file.
However, one of the easiest ways to open a DOCX file is to simply use an online file converter. It’s fast, easy, free, and it doesn’t require you to download any software to your computer.
How XML-Based Files Changed Word Documents
Once Microsoft made the shift from MS-DOS files to the XML-based DOCX format, it caused a bit of a rift in the entire word processing industry.
The files themselves don’t look any different, and the word processor doesn’t provide you with any sort of additional functions.
What happened was that the DOC file was proprietary to Microsoft. This meant that other software and word processors couldn’t read the file.
Obviously, Microsoft wanted its users to be able to transfer files back and forth to other people who might not be using Microsoft products.
This, as mentioned, led to the creation of DOCX. They were able to add a few new features that weren’t possible when Microsoft was using the older coding. This benefitted users!
However, the problem remained that people couldn’t easily switch back and forth between DOC and DOCX from computer to computer unless they were running the same version of Microsoft Word.
Over time, as more and more users switch over to more updated versions of the word processor, it seems likely that Microsoft 2003 (the version that supports the original DOC file) will also phase itself out.
This means that over time, the DOC file extension will cease to exist and the entire world can go back to easily sharing word documents back and forth.
Only this time they’ll be using DOCX files.
Easily Convert Files to DOCX
So, now you understand the difference between DOC and DOCX, right? Great!
If you’re still having trouble getting DOCX files to open on your computer, then there’s a pretty simple fix. Using our online file converter will help you convert any kind of word document into the document you desire.
Need to convert DOCX to DOC or vice versa? We’ve got you covered!
Need to convert a DOCX or DOC file to a PDF? We can do that for you too!
The best part? Our online file conversion tool is totally free to use. All you need to do to get started is to select the type of file you want to convert “from” and then the format you’d like to convert “to.”
It really is that simple.