DOC AND DOCX are file formats used in Microsoft’s Word application. The DOC format came in as soon as the Microsoft word was first released and was used till 2003 version of word. DOCX came in 2007 and is a newer format.
DOC vs DOCX
The main difference between DOC and DOCX format is that the storage of a document in DOC is done in a binary file that contains all the related formatting information whereas the storage of a document in DOCX is done in a zip file that also contains all the XML files related to the document.
Though DOCX is a newer format, users can still use the DOC format if they wish to do so. One of the biggest problems that the DOCX format faces is that it is not compatible with Word 2003 and other older versions of it. This means that if you try to open a DOCX format file in any of the older versions, it will not open.
This can cause problems in sharing documents among people as not everyone updates their software every now and then with the newer versions. But this problem was solved as Microsoft released a compatibility pack which allows the older versions of Word to open the DOCX format.
Comparison Table Between DOC and DOCX
| Parameters of Comparison | DOC Format | DOCX Format |
|---|---|---|
| Description | The DOC format came in as soon as the Microsoft word was first released and was used till 2003 version of word. | The DOCX format came in with Word 2007 and has been the default extension from then for all new Word versions. |
| Document storage | The storage of a document in DOC is done in a binary file that contains all the related formatting information. | The storage of a document in DOCX is done in a zip file that also contains all the XML files related to the document. |
| Options | In the DOC format, there is a very a smaller number of options available for the text and designs. | In the DOCX format, there are many options available that are innovative for the text and designs. |
| File size | The file size of a document in DOC format is greater than that of a file in DOCX format. | The file size of a document in DOCX format is smaller than that of a file in DOC format. |
What is DOC?
The DOC format came in with the release of the first Microsoft word and was used till 2003 version of word. The storage of a document in DOC is done in a binary file that contains all the related formatting information. The nature of DOC format is proprietary. It has a very less number of options available for the text and designs.
It is only compatible with older versions of Microsoft Word that are older than 2007. It has been used for a great amount of time but due to its proprietary nature it can’t be used by other software makers for their own applications. Even the document size is greater than that of the DOCX format.
What is DOCX?
The DOCX came in with Word 2007 and has been the default extension from then for all new Word versions and is a newer format. The storage of a document in DOCX is done in a zip file that also contains all the XML files related to the document.
The nature of DOCX format is open standard. It is only compatible with newer versions of Microsoft Word that came after 2007. But anyone can use a compatibility pack which allows the older versions of Word to open the DOCX format. It also has many options available that are very innovative for the text and designs.
Main Differences Between DOC and DOCX
- The DOC format came in as soon as the Microsoft word was first released and was used till 2003 version of word whereas DOCX came in with Word 2007 and has been the default extension from then for all new Word versions and is a newer format.
- The DOC format has a very less number of options available for the text and designs while the DOCX format has many options available that are innovative for the text and designs.
- The storage of a document in DOC is done in a binary file that contains all the related formatting information whereas the storage of a document in DOCX is done in a zip file that also contains all the XML files related to the document.
- The nature of DOC format is proprietary while the nature of DOCX format is open standard.
- The file size of a document in DOC format is greater than that of a file in DOCX format as DOC format is older than the DOCX format.
- DOC format is suitable for those who use older versions of Microsoft Word or versions that are older than 2007 whereas DOCX format is suitable for those who use newer versions of Microsoft Word that came in after 2007.
Conclusion
The DOC format came in with the release of the first Microsoft word and was used till 2003 version of word whereas DOCX came in with Word 2007 and has been the default extension from then for all new Word versions and also it is a newer format.
The storage of a document in DOC is done in a binary file that contains all the related formatting information. The storage of a document in DOCX is done in a zip file that also contains all the XML files related to the document.
DOC format is only suitable for those who use older versions of Microsoft Word, versions that are older than 2007.The new DOCX format has more options to choose from in text and designs than the DOC format.