Differences of DOC and DOCX In Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word processing software. Both Windows users, MAC or Linux must be familiar with Microsoft Word software.

Even so, did you know that Microsoft Word files are present in two different formats, namely DOC and DOCX? Some of you may have wondered what is the difference between DOC and DOCX in Microsoft Word.

To answer that question, this time the Rat Way will explain the differences between DOC and DOCX file extensions in Microsoft Word.

DOC

At the beginning of its inception about 30 years ago, Microsoft used the DOC format for their file extensions. Until a few years, Word became the only one program that can open files with DOC extension.

Before entering the 2000s, there are some competitors who can open DOC files, but not all formats and settings can run on programs other than Word.

Going into 2008, Microsoft released the latest update for DOC files to be used in other word processing software. After 2008, then a variety of word processing software began to open and edit DOC files though not maximal.

DOCX

Under pressure from the competitives who started to make Office Open Source version, Open Office with Open Document Format (ODF) extension. Microsoft finally created a more open file extension for word processing. The extension is DOCX.

Not just the changed Word extensions, Microsoft also has XLSX extensions for Spreadsheets (Excel), and PPTX for presentations (PowerPoint).

A new standard is created under the name "Office Open XML". The format is based on Extensible Markup Language in which the format is better than binary-based. Office Open XML has various benefits, such as smaller file sizes, less chance of corrupt, better when compressing images, etc.

Microsoft itself has officially used the DOCX extension in the 2007 Office series and it continues into the next Office series.

Which better to use?

If you are one of the people who often use Word or other Microsoft-made software to date. DOCX extension is an extension you must use.

That's because this extension can be opened and edited by various software other than Word. In addition, the size of the file is also relatively small compared to DOC.

The final word

That's the difference between DOC and DOCX in Microsoft Word files. If you are still confused, you can ask in the comments field.