How do I open .docx files was an article that I wrote some time ago. It explained how users that did not use Microsoft Office 2007 were able to open .docx documents that they downloaded or received from users who were using Office 2007. Some time has passed since writing the initial article and I thought it would be nice to take a look at more methods and programs that let users open. docx documents.
The best suited method to open .docx documents depends largely on your computer system. Are you using a Macintosh, Linux or Windows ? Do you have an old version of Microsoft Office installed ? What’s the purpose of opening the docx document, do you only want to read it or do you have to edit it as well ?
The best way for Windows users who have a version of Microsoft Office installed is to install the Microsoft compatibility pack for previous Office versions that adds .docx support in Microsoft Word.
The best approach for users that do not use Microsoft Office, including Mac and Linux users, would be to use one of the several online converters that convert docx files into doc.
Windows users could also download the Word Viewer application from Microsoft that opens .docx documents properly but cannot alter them.
Last but not least it is possible to use the OpenOffice. OpenXML Translator to open docx documents if you have the Novell version of Open Office installed. I did not test it with the normal Open Office application, if someone did please mention if it succeeded in the comments.
Update: Both Open Office, and its spin-off Libre Office, can now open all Office 2007 document formats natively. This includes docx obviously, but also xlsx and pptx spreadsheets and presentations.
Google Docs, and Microsoft SkyDrive, support Office 2007 document formats as well now. A Google or Windows Live account is required to use those sites though.
Related Articles:
Open Office and DocxHow do I open docx files ?
Open XML Docx Viewer
Google Docs Adds Docx And Xlsx Support
How to get your Microsoft Office Files to Open after Office 2010 Trial Expires in Windows 7
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http://www.sigmundvoid.com/?p=81 also works for Linux users :)
Linux users should have a look here: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Gutsy#OpenOffice_add_ons
Thanks guys those links are really helpful
Thanks, I have office 2007. But my problem was that I sometimes forgot to convert it back to a doc file to work on school on e.g. a project. The problem of being the only one with office 2007 is solved by providing office 2007 to everybody where I work with. So now my whole project group are finally office 2007 users.
Heej Martin what a cool function to edit my comment in XX minutes and seconds. Is that a new wordpress plugin or did you script that yourself?
That plugin is called WP Ajax Edit Comments >> http://www.raproject.com/wordpress/wp-ajax-edit-comments/
OpenOffice handles the task smoothly on Linux (Ubuntu) once the plugin is installed. Now, how to open those .xlsx and .pptx freaking files…
That’s really great. I thought there was no way I could open Office 2007 files using Office 2000.
Before I used one website to convert it, but it had closed.
So the compatibility pack is great.
Thanks, some computers I use don’t have office :)
Docx can also be opened directly with Abiword – an open source word processor available free from www.abisource.com/
Thanks for your comment Peter – AbiWord worked a dream. Go the open source community – many thanks. :)
Peter, AbiWord worked perfectly – thanks for a fast, easy solution to open docx files!
Hey Peter, thanks a lot. Abiword works great and I can even copy from it and paste to a Word 2003 document
The link “OpenXML Translator” isn’t working anymore:
Error: This download is no longer available
The OpenOffice packaged with Ubuntu Linux opened some docx docs I just received with no difficulty. I’m starting to be really happy I have both Linux and XP running on two different machines on my network to handle such headaches as these.
Thanks for the resource that got me to try that avenue.
Rod
Explorer View File Viewer will display .docx files (as well as about 300 other formats). There is a 30 day trial version at www.explorerview.com
It is a plugin to Windows Explorer and is a very handy tool.
Hello. I think you are eactly thinking like Sukrat. I really loved the post.
Easily convert using the latest version of adobe acrobat. use buzzword to import docx file then export the file into whatever file format you need/want
download the latest open-office writer…it can open docx now
OpenOffice 3.0 opens docx documents just fine.
Just open it using Gmail – easiest! See http://www.marklives.com/wordpress/?p=384
http://sourceforge.net/projects/oci/
Hi,
Just a comment to answer your question. The official OpenOffice.org can open the docx files from version 3.0.
The import is far from perfect but I’m working on fixing it currently. Here are some updates for those interested in the changes:
http://cedric.bosdonnat.free.fr/wordpress/?tag=ooxml
`Works normally also for open office
garggles words up in newest version of open office 3.1
Open Office will open .docx files
right clicking on the document with OpenOffice 3.1.0 that has a docx extension and clicking open with and then selecting openoffice it just opens. This may be an outdated article but thought I would add this as it is currently relevant for some.
how to open my files from linux to windows xp??
another option, if you have a google account: you can upload your .docx and .xlsx to Google docs and download them as openoffice files or older office formats. .pptx don’t work the same way :-(
i haven’t verified what more advanced features you may lose in the transition (pivot tables), but it’s great for basic stuff.
does not work
Open Office not useful software. Have more problem.
Open Office will open .docx files… Have no problem
Thank you Ways to open Office .docx documents…