WORD file format
| Extension | .word |
| Category | documents |
| Description | The `.word` file format doesn't usually apply to text files. It could be a mislabelled Microsoft Word document. Microsoft Word documents are usually saved with `.doc` or `.docx` extensions. A `.word` file might be a wrongly named Word document. If this is so, merely changing the file name to the correct `.doc` or `.docx` extension should make it readable in Microsoft Word or other similar word processors. |
| Technical details | The `.word` file format isn't a standard one for word processing. You're probably thinking of the `.doc` or `.docx` file formats, which are native to Microsoft Word. Let's look at the technical aspects of these formats: - `.doc` (Microsoft Word Document) - Binary Format: This is a format that older Word versions used, up until Word 2003. It's based on the Compound File Binary Format. - Content: The `.doc` file format can store formatted text, images, tables, amongst other things. - Compatibility: A variety of word processors support this format. - Proprietary: Microsoft owns the proprietary rights to this format, but the specifications are public. - Macro Support: This feature allows macros to be included, but it also makes the format vulnerable to macro viruses. - `.docx` (Office Open XML Document) - XML-Based Format: This format came with Word 2007 and is part of Office Open XML. - Package: Essentially, it's a ZIP archive containing XML files and resources. - Standardization: It’s an open standard, recognized by Ecma, ISO, IEC. - Content: It can store text, multimedia, styles, images, and more. - File Size: The `.docx` file format usually has a smaller file size due to ZIP compression. - Security: This format has less macro support, which lowers the risk of virus infection. - Compatibility: Various software supports this format. - Accessibility: The `.docx` file format supports many accessibility features. To sum up, `.doc` and `.docx` are distinct Microsoft Word file formats. The `.docx` file format is more current, versatile, and open than the `.doc` file format. Keep this in mind when opening, creating, or saving documents. |