To open a .docx file in Google Docs, upload it to Google Drive, then either double-click the file or right-click it and select Open with > Google Docs. The file will open in a new tab where you can view and edit it.
Step-by-step guide
Upload the file to Google Drive: Go to Google Drive and upload your .docx file from your computer.
Locate the file: Find the .docx file in your Google Drive.
Open with Google Docs:
Option 1: Double-click the file to open it in a preview. Then, click Open with Google Docs at the top of the screen.
Option 2: Right-click the file, select Open with, and then choose Google Docs from the list.
Edit the document: The file will open in a new tab in Google Docs, and you can now edit it using Google Docs’ tools. Any changes are saved to the original Microsoft Office file format in Drive.
Additional tips
Save as a new Google Docs file: To permanently convert the document, go to File > Save as Google Docs.
Opening from the Google Docs homepage: You can also open the “Open file picker” from the Google Docs homepage, go to the “Upload” tab, and drag and drop your file there to automatically convert and open it, notes this YouTube video.
How do I open a docx into Google Docs?
To open a .docx file in Google Docs,
upload the file to Google Drive, then either double-click it and select “Open with Google Docs” or right-click the file and choose “Open with > Google Docs”. The file will open in a new tab as a Google Doc, and you can then use the “File > Save as Google Docs” option to convert it permanently if you wish.
Step 1: Upload the file to Google Drive
Go to Google Drive and sign in.
Click + New and then File upload.
Select the .docx file from your computer and click Open.
Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file directly into your Google Drive.
Step 2: Open the file with Google Docs
Locate the uploaded .docx file in your Google Drive.
Double-click the file to open it in a preview mode.
Click the Open with Google Docs button at the top of the preview window.
Alternatively, right-click the file and select Open with > Google Docs.
Step 3: Save as a Google Docs file (optional)
When you open a .docx file, it is initially a Word document that can be edited in Google Docs.
To permanently convert it to the Google Docs format, go to File in the top menu and click Save as Google Docs.
A new, converted Google Docs file will be created, and your changes will be saved automatically to the new file.
How do I open .docx files?
You can open a .docx file by using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other compatible applications. If you have the Microsoft Word app or subscription, you can open the file directly through the application. Alternatively, you can use free online services like Microsoft Word online or Google Docs by uploading the file to their web platforms.
Using Microsoft Word (desktop or online)
Desktop: Open Microsoft Word, click File, then Open, and select the .docx file from your computer.
Online: Go to office.com, sign in to your Microsoft account, click the Word icon, then select “Upload and open,” and choose your file.
Using Google Docs
Upload: Go to Google Drive, click New > File Upload, and select your .docx file.
Open in Docs: Once uploaded, double-click the file to open it in a preview, or click Open with Google Docs at the top to open it in the Google Docs editor.
On mobile devices
Install an app: Download the Microsoft Word or Google Docs app from your device’s app store.
Open the file: Tap the .docx file, and your device will prompt you to choose an app to open it with. Select the app you just downloaded.
Other options
LibreOffice or ONLYOFFICE: These are free desktop applications that can open and edit .docx files.
Online viewers: Several websites offer free online DOCX viewers, allowing you to upload and view the document directly in your browser without installing any software, such as Jumpshare.
How do I turn a docx into a doc?
You can convert a .docx to .doc by opening the file in Microsoft Word and using “Save As” to select “Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc)” from the file type dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can use a free online converter, such as Zamzar, where you upload the .docx file and choose .doc as the output format.
Method 1: Using Microsoft Word
Open the .docx file in Microsoft Word.
Click the File tab.
Select Save As.
Choose a location to save the file.
In the “Save as type” or “File Format” dropdown menu, select Word 97-2003 Document (.doc)*.
Click Save.
Method 2: Using an online converter
Go to a free online file conversion website like Zamzar or FreeConvert.
Click the button to upload your .docx file.
Select .doc as the desired output format.
Click the “Convert” button.
Download the newly converted .doc file once the conversion is complete.
Is Google Docs in docx format?
No, DOCX is not Google Docs, but Google Docs can open, edit, and save files in the DOCX format. DOCX is the native file format for Microsoft Word, while Google Docs uses its own online format (.gdoc) but can convert to and from DOCX to ensure compatibility with Microsoft Word.
Key differences:
File Format: DOCX is a file extension for Microsoft Word documents, whereas Google Docs creates its own proprietary online format.
Compatibility: Google Docs is designed to be compatible with Microsoft Word’s DOCX format, allowing you to open, edit, and download your work as a DOCX file.
Default Behavior: By default, Google Docs saves documents in its own cloud-based format. You must manually choose to download the file as a DOCX to export it as a Microsoft Word document.
How to work with both:
To edit a DOCX in Google Docs: Upload the DOCX file to Google Drive. Google Docs will open it using the “Open with Google Docs” option, and you can then choose to save it as a Google Docs file or download it as a new DOCX file.
To save a Google Doc as a DOCX: Open your Google Doc, go to “File” > “Download,” and select “Microsoft Word (.docx)”.
