.DOTX File Extension
Microsoft Word Template
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
4.1 | 54 Votes |
| Category | Page Layout Files |
| Format | Zip |
What is a DOTX file?
A DOTX file is a template created by Microsoft Word, a word processing program. It contains a default layout and settings for a document, including styles, AutoText, toolbars, and macros. DOTX files are used as a baseline to create multiple .DOCX documents with the same formatting.
Most computer users are familiar with the DOCX file, which is the primary file type created by Word and one of the most popular document types opened and saved by word processors. DOTX files are very similar to DOCX files but are used to store templates. They contain much of the same information that DOCX files contain, including text, styles, and images. They may also be password-protected, which is useful for securing content in templates that are opened and edited by multiple people.
DOTX files are convenient for users who need to make multiple Word documents with the same formatting and similar content, such as resumes, business plans, or newsletters.
Word also comes with pre-loaded DOTX templates that allow you to create a document with many of the page layout elements, fonts, and styles in place. Depending on your need to customize the document you can simply open the DOTX file and place your new text.
NOTE: DOTX files replaced .DOT files with the release of Microsoft Office 2007 and are saved in the newer Open XML-based Word document format.
Common DOTX Filenames
Normal.dotx - The Normal template is the default template that is opened when users open Word. It is stored in the file Normal.dotx and can be modified to create custom default template settings.
How to open a DOTX file
You can open DOTX files with Microsoft Word in Windows and macOS. Word is the best choice for opening DOTX files because it fully supports the formatting of Word templates, which includes text spacing, tables, and images. The software is also available for Android and iOS devices.
You can open DOTX templates with other applications but they may not fully support the formatting of the original templates. Some examples include Apache OpenOffice Writer (multiplatform), Kingsoft Writer (multiplatform), and Apple Pages (Mac). If you are a Mac user simply looking to view a DOTX file, you can use Apple Preview, which comes bundled with macOS.
You can also upload DOTX files to Google Docs, which is a free web and mobile application that allows you to view, edit, save, and convert the document.
How to convert a DOTX file
Various word processors, including Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, and LibreOffice Writer, can convert DOTX files to other formats.
For example, in the Windows and Mac versions of Microsoft Word, select to convert DOTX files to one of the following formats:
- .DOCX - Microsoft Word Document
- .DOC - Microsoft Word Document (Legacy)
- .DOT - Microsoft Word Document Template (Legacy)
- .ODT - OpenDocument Text Document
- .PDF - Portable Document Format
- .RTF - Rich Text Format
- .TXT - Plain Text
- .HTM, .HTML - HTML Webpage
- .XML - Extensible Markup Language
- .MHT, .MHTML - MIME HTML Archive
- .XPS - XML Paper Specification (Windows only)