New Microsoft Office software has the latest version of Word with a .docx file format. This substitutes the .doc format used in older versions. To view a .docx document in the older version, you need to download Microsoft Compatibility Pack and install it. This allows you to read .docx files in Microsoft Office. If you have Open Office, download XML Translator to read .docx files. If you have a MAC, use XML File Format Converter. It is not necessary to install any software as you can convert .docx files into the .doc format online.

How to read a .docx document

This article shows you how to read a .docx document using Microsoft Compatibility toolkit or pack.

Office 2007 comes with the .docx extension. Since previous versions are not compatible with this file, the user needs to download the Microsoft Compatibility Pack. You can also use XML Translator or online tools. A short description of the process for MAC users is also included.

Here are some solutions:

The recent version of Microsoft Word provides the option of saving a particular file in the Word version of your choice. However, there are ways in which you can open and read a .docx file. You can open the .docx file with an older version of MS Word, or you can convert the file online to the version of your choice.

Download Microsoft Compatibility Pack

To be able to open .docx files on older Microsoft Word versions, you can make use of the Microsoft Compatibility Pack, downloadable through the link: http://www.microsoft.com/...

Download XML Translator

If you are using of Open Office and you want to read a .docx file, install XML Translator. This software will allow you to read your file with Open Office.
Download Link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/odf-converter

Using online tools

You can use free online tools to make the file conversion.
Link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/odf-converter
Link: http://www.zamzar.com/

MAC users

If you are currently using a MAC OS X and have to open a .docx file extension, you can use Open NML File Format Converter to read the file.
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