DOC File
What are DOC files and how to open them
Are you having problems opening a DOC file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.
What is a DOC file?
DOC files have multiple uses, and Microsoft Word Document is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.
Microsoft Word Document
Files with the .doc extension are document files that have been created by Microsoft Word. The .doc format is one of the most popular formats for computer-created word-processing documents. These files can contain text, pictures, graphs, and charts.
While the 2007 and later versions of Microsoft Word currently save documents with the .docx extension, earlier versions of the software save documents with a .doc extension.
Although later versions of Word do save documents with the .docx format as a default, these programs can also save and open documents with the .doc file extension.
Other software applications use DOC files for other purposes, and Microsoft Word cannot open these files. You will find a list of them below. If you are unsure which type of file you have come across, use our File Analyzer to find out exactly what type of file yours is.
How to open DOC files
We have identified five DOC openers that are compatible with this specific type of DOC file.
Programs that open Microsoft Word Document files
 | Bitberry File Opener | Verified |
 | Microsoft Office | Verified |
 | Microsoft Word | Verified |
 | WordPerfect | Verified |
 | AbiWord | Verified |
Last updated: January 16, 2023
More file formats using the DOC extension
Through our research of DOC files, we know that the following formats exist. However, we have not yet analyzed them in detail.
- 1ST Word Plus Document
- Better Working Eight-In-One Document
- Beyond Words Composer Document
- Dac-Easy Word Document
- DeScribe Document
- DeskMate Document
- Dynamic Publisher Document
- Ease Word-Pro Document
- Excellence! Document
- First Choice Document
- IBM DisplayWrite Document
- LocoScript Document
- Lotus Manuscript Document
- Lotus Works Document
- Mini Office Document
- Norton Textra Writer Document
- Open Access III Document
- PageSetter Document
- PerfectOffice Document
- PPC Organiser Document
- Q And A Document
- Quill Document
- Scribble! Document
- Smart Software Document
- The Office Publisher Document
- Varsity Scripsit Document
- WordStar Document
Various apps that use files with this extension
These apps are known to open certain types of DOC files. Remember, different programs may use DOC files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Doxillion | Verified |
 | Kingsoft Office | Verified |
 | OpenOffice.org Writer | User submitted |
 | WPS Office | User submitted |
 | TextMaker Viewer | User submitted |
 | TextMaker | User submitted |
 | StarOffice Writer | User submitted |
 | eType Application | User submitted |
 | ThinkFree Office | User submitted |
 | OpenOffice.org Base | User submitted |
Help us help others
File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about DOC file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.
Not sure exactly what type of file you are trying to open? Try our new File Analyzer. It is a free tool that can identify more than 11,000 different kinds of files - most likely yours too! It will help you find software that can handle your specific type of file. Download File Analyzer here.