Convert DOCX to DOC (Word 97-2003)
To convert DOCX to DOC, upload your .docx file and choose DOC as the target. LibreOffice on our server re-saves the document in the binary Word 97-2003 format, so the file is genuinely converted rather than just renamed. Text formatting, tables and images carry over, while newer Word features that the old format lacks may be simplified.
- 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 Word to DOC
Upload your Word file
Drag your Word file onto the upload area or browse for it (up to 100 MB).
Keep DOC as the target
DOC 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
- Paragraph and character formatting
- Tables and images
- Headers, footers and page layout
Changed
- Post-2007 features (content controls, SmartArt) may be simplified
- Saved as binary DOC instead of a ZIP-based DOCX package
When to use it
Sending files to Word 2003 users
If a client or colleague still runs Word 2003 or older, a .docx file may not open at all without a compatibility pack. A converted .doc opens directly in those versions.
Uploading to systems that only accept .doc
Some legacy portals, government forms and document management systems restrict uploads to the .doc extension. Converting to the real binary format avoids files that pass the upload but cannot be read afterwards.
Limitations to know
- DOC output from documents with shapes or drawings may not open cleanly in some non-Word apps, such as Apple Pages.
- DOC is not compressed, so files are usually larger than the DOCX.
About the formats
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can't I just rename .docx to .doc?
No. A DOCX file is a ZIP package of XML files, while DOC is an entirely different binary format. Renaming the extension does not change the content, and older Word versions will refuse to open it. This tool re-saves the document with LibreOffice in the actual Word 97-2003 format.
Will the DOC file open in Word 2003?
The output is a standard .doc saved in the Word 97-2003 format, which is what those versions expect. Text, formatting and tables open normally; features introduced with Word 2007 may appear in a simplified form. We recommend opening the file once to check it before you send it.
Is there any downside to using DOC instead of DOCX?
Yes. DOC is a legacy format: files are usually larger and cannot fully hold newer Word features. Unless the recipient specifically asks for .doc, DOCX, or a PDF or RTF that opens almost anywhere, is the better choice.
Is converting Word to DOC 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.