DOC to DOCX Converter (Word 97-2003 to Modern Word)
To convert DOC to DOCX, upload your .doc file and choose Word (DOCX) as the output. The file is converted directly by LibreOffice, with no intermediate HTML step, so page layout, headers and footers, table borders, list numbering, image positions and fonts are largely preserved. You get a .docx that opens in current versions of Word without Compatibility Mode.
- Free, no sign-up
- Files deleted within 30 minutes
- Up to 100 MB
Files are permanently deleted from our servers within 30 minutes.
How to convert DOC to Word
Upload your DOC file
Drag your DOC file onto the upload area or browse for it (up to 100 MB).
Keep Word as the target
Word is already selected in the menu; you can pick another format if you need one.
Convert and download
Press “Convert” and the download of the converted file starts automatically.
What is preserved?
Kept
- Page layout and margins
- Headers and footers
- Tables with their borders
- Images and their positions
- List numbering and font formatting
Changed
- Fonts not installed on our server are replaced with close equivalents
Not carried over
- Macros (the DOCX format cannot store them)
When to use it
Modernising an archive of old documents
Letters, reports and templates created in Word 2003 or earlier become smaller, current DOCX files that work smoothly with Microsoft 365, Google Docs and other cloud tools, and are less likely to trigger security warnings.
Getting out of Compatibility Mode
Word opens .doc files in Compatibility Mode and switches off some newer features. After conversion to DOCX the whole feature set is available, and the document stays in the modern format every time you save it.
Limitations to know
- Password-protected or corrupted .doc files cannot be read.
- Maximum file size is 100 MB.
About the formats
What is DOC?
DOC is the binary document format that was the default in Microsoft Word 97 through 2003. It stores text, formatting, tables and images in a single proprietary structure. DOCX replaced it in 2007, but DOC is still used because of older Office installations, some organisational systems and upload portals that only accept .doc. Current versions of Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs can open DOC files; DOCX is the better choice for new documents.
What is Word (DOCX)?
DOCX is the default document format of Microsoft Word since Word 2007. It is based on the Office Open XML standard: the file is a ZIP package that stores text, styles, tables, images, headers and footers as separate XML parts. DOCX files open and edit in Word, LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs and Pages, which makes it the most common format for exchanging editable documents. When a fixed layout matters, DOCX files are usually converted to PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DOC and DOCX?
DOC is the binary (OLE2) format used by Word 97-2003. DOCX, introduced with Word 2007, is a zipped package of XML files. DOCX files are usually smaller, more resilient to corruption and fully supported by current office suites and cloud services, which is why it is the default format today.
Why does Word open my .doc in Compatibility Mode?
When Word opens a file in the old format, it limits itself to features that Word 97-2003 can display, so the document looks the same for older users. Converting the file to DOCX removes that restriction and lets you use every current editing feature.
What happens to macros in a .doc file?
The DOCX format cannot hold macros, so the converted file contains the document's content and formatting but no macro code. If you still need the macros, keep the original .doc, or open it in Word and save it as a macro-enabled .docm file instead.
Will a file named .doc that is really DOCX or RTF still convert?
Yes. Our server checks the file's content rather than trusting its extension, so valid documents that are actually DOCX or RTF inside a .doc name are accepted and read correctly. Files that are not Word documents at all, or are damaged, are rejected with a clear error.
Is converting DOC to Word free?
Yes, completely free. There is no account, subscription or watermark — just upload your file and convert it.
Is my file safe and when is it deleted?
Your file is transferred over HTTPS and stored on our server under a random code. The upload and the output are permanently deleted within 30 minutes, and the download link only works for whoever holds your unique code.