Open .docx files on a mac

Ever had to open up a docx file on a Mac and you had no idea how to? Here is the simple solution:

  • Change .docx to .zip
  • Unzip it.
  • Go to Safari and File > Open File…
  • Navigate to the /insert_name_of_Word_file_here/word/document.xml and open.
  • Read text.

Update:

Microsoft released a converter for the Mac last December. It’s still in beta but it does the job perfectly. Download Microsoft Office Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 0.2.1 (Beta) here.

Update:

See this post and links for Microsoft Office Open XML File Converter

17 Responses to “Open .docx files on a mac”


  1. Moonshine
    7:26 pm on January 28th, 2008

    You are da bomb! Works like a charm…

  2. Bill
    1:04 pm on February 7th, 2008

    There is also a dashboard widget available to convert docx files:

    http://docx-converter.com/widget/

  3. Joshua Wait
    10:37 am on February 20th, 2008

    Thanks for the tip!

  4. Les
    4:52 pm on May 31st, 2008

    The instructions worked pretty well, but the file I opened came through with no formatting whasoever, not even paragraph breaks. The link for http://docx-converter.com/widget/ does not work (mentioned in response 2).

  5. Richard
    6:34 am on June 1st, 2008

    @Leslie - True. Safari will not format the doc for you. The method mentioned in the post is a quick and dirty solution for opening docx files.

    Another solution is the online service from Zamzar. They will convert the file for you for free and email it to you. Depending on how busy they are it can take 2 to 5 hours before you will receive your file.

    Hope this helps!

  6. Javacat
    7:04 pm on June 12th, 2008

    I thought about looking up instructions on how to make a dirty bomb until I found your solution. THANK YOU! Microsoft gets to live another day…god-damn them.

  7. shakurani
    6:48 pm on June 15th, 2008

    Woww.. MAGIC!!!! Thanks so much! Really helped me a lot!!!! ;)

  8. Biffyjack
    6:03 am on June 26th, 2008

    How did you figure that one out? Awesome! What is MicroSoft thinking when they do this stuff?

  9. DAVE
    6:46 am on July 14th, 2008

    Please i need software to download to my system that can open docx file sent through email automatically.

    Thanks

  10. Richard
    7:31 am on July 14th, 2008

    @Dave Not sure about and automatic conversion but you can download the Open XML File Converter here. Hope this helps

  11. aerodi
    2:42 pm on August 19th, 2008

    I tried the widget but it didn’t worked.. it seems it gets to converting but I got no results.

    I’ll try my luck with the Open XML File Converter

  12. Nick
    6:05 am on September 4th, 2008

    Worked. Very clever. Much thanks.

  13. dsco
    6:34 am on September 5th, 2008

    This will save many lives, and I’ll be sure to spread the word… thanks for the tip.

  14. Kate
    7:52 pm on September 24th, 2008

    Wow. I love you all. Thank you.

  15. Marni
    2:40 pm on October 2nd, 2008

    I LOVE YOU! THANX <3 :-D!!!!!

  16. Natasha
    2:25 am on October 13th, 2008

    Kick ass tip, thanks!!

  17. burners
    3:26 pm on October 28th, 2008

    text edit does the job easiest!

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