┌─ FILE ANALYSIS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┐
│ DEVELOPER : Microsoft
│ CATEGORY : Document
│ MIME TYPE : application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
│ MAGIC BYTES : 504B0304
└ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┘
What is a DOCX file?
DOCX is the default document format for Microsoft Word since Office 2007. It uses the Office Open XML (OOXML) standard, storing content as compressed XML files inside a ZIP container. This makes it more compact and resilient than the legacy binary DOC format.
How to open DOCX files
- Microsoft Word (Windows, macOS, Web) — Full editing
- Google Docs (Web) — Free, online editing
- LibreOffice Writer (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Free, open-source
- Apple Pages (macOS, iOS) — Free
- OnlyOffice (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Free, open-source
Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | Office Open XML (OOXML) |
| Container | ZIP archive |
| Content | XML documents + media resources |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 29500, ECMA-376 |
| Macros | .docm extension for macro-enabled |
Programs that open DOCX files
- Microsoft Word — Native editor
- Google Docs — Free online editing
- LibreOffice Writer — Free office suite
- WPS Office — Free alternative
- OnlyOffice — Open-source office
Common use cases
- Business documents: Reports, letters, proposals
- Academic papers: Essays, theses, dissertations
- Resumes: Job applications and CVs
- Legal documents: Contracts and agreements