DOC to DOTX Converter

Build a modern DOTX template from DOC — free online

Drop files here. 1 GB maximum file size or Sign Up
to
Facebook Amazon Microsoft Tesla Nestle Walmart L'Oreal

Modern Template Format

DOTX templates are the current Word standard for reusable document layouts. Upgrade your DOC into a template that works with all modern Word versions.

Secure Conversion

Uploaded DOC files are removed immediately after processing. DOTX results are purged within 24 hours — your templates stay private.

Use Any Device

Convert from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. Convertio runs in any modern browser — no Word installation required.

How to convert DOC to DOTX

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose dotx or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your dotx file right afterwards

About formats

DOC is the binary document format of Microsoft Word), the word processor first released in October 1983 for MS-DOS and later becoming the dominant document creation tool worldwide. The format stores documents as OLE2 compound document files — a binary container with multiple internal streams holding text content, formatting information, embedded objects, macros, and metadata. The text stream uses a complex system of formatting runs, section descriptors, paragraph and character property tables, and style definitions to represent arbitrarily complex document layouts including columns, headers, footnotes, tables, floating images, tracked changes, and mail merge fields. The format evolved substantially through Word versions, with Word 97 establishing the binary structure that remained standard through Word 2003 and created the .doc files most commonly encountered today. One advantage is near-universal compatibility — DOC files can be opened by virtually every word processor and document viewer across all platforms, from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, Google Docs, and Apple Pages. The format's rich feature support is another strength: DOC handles complex layouts, embedded OLE objects, VBA macros, and revision tracking that power enterprise document workflows. Although Microsoft introduced the XML-based DOCX format with Office 2007, DOC remains heavily present in existing document archives and continues to be produced by organizations maintaining compatibility with older Word installations.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: October 1983
DOTX is the Open XML template format for Microsoft Word, introduced with Office 2007. A DOTX file is a ZIP archive containing XML parts that define document styles, page layout defaults, theme colors, theme fonts, numbering formats, boilerplate content, headers, footers, and other elements that establish a reusable document foundation. When applied, a DOTX template creates a new DOCX document inheriting the template's complete formatting system. The XML-based structure provides advantages over the legacy DOT format: templates can be inspected and modified using standard XML tools, individual components (styles, themes) are cleanly separated into dedicated files, and ZIP compression yields smaller file sizes. One advantage is modular design management — DOTX templates encapsulate a complete formatting identity as a distributable package, and the XML architecture makes it straightforward to update specific elements like color schemes or font definitions without rebuilding the entire template. Broad compatibility is another strength: DOTX templates work in Word on Windows and macOS, LibreOffice Writer, and online platforms including Google Docs (with conversion). The format integrates with Word's template management system and organizational template libraries via SharePoint, enabling centralized document governance across large teams. DOTX has become the standard for distributing document formatting frameworks in corporate, academic, and publishing environments.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: January 30, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert DOC to DOTX?

DOTX is the modern Word template format — creating a DOTX from your DOC gives you a reusable template in the current XML-based standard.

What opens DOTX?

Microsoft Word (2007+), LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs (view), and WPS Office all handle DOTX templates for creating new documents.

Can I edit the DOTX later?

Yes — open the DOTX in Word or LibreOffice to modify its styles, layout, and placeholder content before using it as a template.

Is this service free?

Basic DOC to DOTX conversion is free on Convertio. Premium plans unlock larger file limits and priority processing.

How is DOTX different from DOCX?

DOTX is a template — opening it creates a new unsaved document. DOCX is a regular document. Both use the modern XML format.

DOC to DOTX Quality Rating

4.4 (192 votes)
You need to convert and download at least 1 file to provide feedback!