What is the Difference Between doc and docx in Microsoft Word?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between DOC and DOCX file formats in Microsoft Word lies in their structure and the features they support. Here are the key differences between the two:
- File Structure: DOC files are based on the Binary Interchange File Format (BIFF) and store information as binary data, organized as a collection of records and structures. In contrast, DOCX files use the Office Open XML format, which saves data in compressed XML files in ZIP format.
- Compatibility: DOC files are the default extension for MS Word 2003 and older versions, while DOCX is the default extension for MS Word 2007 and newer versions. You cannot open a DOCX file in Word 2003 and older without a compatibility pack.
- File Size: DOCX files are generally smaller, lighter, and easier to open, read, and transfer compared to DOC files.
- Open Standard: DOCX is an open standard, making it easier for other applications to adopt the same standard without difficulty, as XML is easy to understand. DOC, on the other hand, is a proprietary format.
- Features: DOCX files support new features that are not available in DOC files, such as the ability to work with longer and more descriptive file names, more formatting options, and better adaptation to different screens or printers.
In conclusion, DOCX is the better option compared to DOC due to its modern structure, smaller file size, open standard, and support for new features. However, if you need to use MS Word 2003 or older versions, you will have to use the DOC format.
Comparative Table: doc vs docx in Microsoft Word
Here is a table comparing the differences between DOC and DOCX file formats in Microsoft Word:
| Feature | DOC (Word 2003 and earlier) | DOCX (Word 2007 and later) |
|---|---|---|
| Default Extension | Used the default extension for MS Word 2003 and earlier versions. | Used the default extension for MS Word 2007 and later versions. |
| File Format | Binary file format. | ZIP-compressed archive containing XML files. |
| Compatibility | Can be opened by nearly every version of MS Word. | May not be compatible with older versions of MS Word. |
| Features & Functionality | Limited support for advanced formatting choices, themes, styles, and modern editing tools. | Supports advanced formatting choices, themes, styles, and modern editing tools. |
| Interoperability | Less open and interoperable. | More open and interoperable, based on the ISO/IEC 29500 standard (Office Open XML). |
| Data Recovery | More challenging to recover data from corrupted files. | More reliable data recovery with targeted XML-based recovery. |
In conclusion, DOCX is generally considered a superior and more current file format than DOC due to its reduced size, improved interoperability, improved data recovery capabilities, and expanded feature set. As a result, it is recommended to use DOCX for creating, editing, and saving documents whenever possible.
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