Converting .doc to .docx?

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Upgrading from Word 2003, now all my documents are a mixture of .doc and .docx files.
Is there an easy way to convert all the .doc files to .docx.
Thanks

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Newer versions of Word will open either .doc or .docx files. There is no reason to convert .doc to .docx unless you are actually working with one of these files. Then simply save it in .docx format.

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Thanks for your reply.
You are from the town where I was born. I really miss the east coast
Anyway I appreciate your response. I did notice that both formats were available
but when I saved a .docx file to a folder, the folder would not show the .doc files
that were already there.
I could reopen the file and see all the files (both extensions) but I like to be able
to check at the time I am saving if there is a similar document to the one I am
saving.
Guess it is not a big deal.
Thanks

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I did notice that both formats were available
but when I saved a .docx file to a folder, the folder would not show the .doc files
that were already there.
I could reopen the file and see all the files (both extensions) but I like to be able
to check at the time I am saving if there is a similar document to the one I am
saving.

I use Word 2003, but occassionally view and save .docx files, too. As others have explained, the SAVE AS dialog filters the list of files already in the destination folder. However, in Word 2003 anyway, if you simply type the wildcard “*” in the name box and hit return, Word will display ALL files. You can also enter “*.do*” and Word will show you just *.DOC, *.DOCX and *.DOCM files.

This trick may work in newer versions of Word, too. I agree with those who say leave the files in their native format. If this trick works for you, you’ll still be able to preview files already in the folder when using the SAVE AS dialog. Good luck. ~RonR

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When you are saving the .Docx file you will see two boxes, one above the other. The top one gets the name of the file. The bottom one shows the file type, in your case docx. Next to it is an arrow, click it and select all file types.
It will show the Doc, Docx, etc; all of the files in the folder.

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When you are saving the .Docx file you will see two boxes, one above the other. The top one gets the name of the file. The bottom one shows the file type, in your case docx. Next to it is an arrow, click it and select all file types.
It will show the Doc, Docx, etc; all of the files in the folder.

philomel:
In the SAVE AS dialog, you cannot select “All files.” The very nature of the Save as Type dropdown list is to specify a SINGLE file type. To view all files in the destination folder, you must enter the wildcard in the “Name” box (i.e., * or *.*). See my earlier post.

The OP wanted to review files already in the folder when saving as DOCX. He could change the Save As Type to DOC and the folder would display all files of that type, but he’d have to remember to set the Save As Type back to DOCX, if that was his intent.

Using the wild card, the folder displays ALL files while leaving the Save As Type at the default (DOCX or DOC). ~RonR

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The list of files shown in a SaveAs dialog is often filtered due to the ‘save as type’ option under the field where you type the new filename. When you choose to save as docx, the filter is set to show the folders + only the files which end .docx. If you change this filter to show all doc files (*.doc) then you will see those file types contained in that folder. Unfortunately, in that particular dialog it is not so simple to see both file types at the same time.

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Hi Andrew
Thanks for your explanation.
I have used Word for many years and have gotten into a rut
using just the features necessary to do what I want to write.
There are most likely many features that would simplify my
work but habit and familiarity keep me in the same rut.
Thanks for your explanation.
Erikson

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It’s actually more complex than even that – you can have three Word documents with the same name: one using doc; another using docx; and yet another using docm. Whichever save option you have active won’t show the other files using what is ostensibly the same name. It’s the same if you choose any other save formats too.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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Thanks Macropod
I understand more about my question than I will ever need.
I appreciate all the the members so willing to help.
Thanks again.
Erikson

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As I understand it, you’re wanting to batch convert your .doc to .docx files. There’s a way to do it, but it’s not exactly elegant.

Here’s the process: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ericwhite/archive/2008/09/19/bulk-convert-doc-to-docx.aspx

A quick summary:

1. Download and install Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack. You have to install this even though you have Office 2007.

2. Download and install Microsoft Office Migration Planning Manager (MOMPM).

3. Edit the OFC.INI file in the MOMPM in the Tools directory and save it.

4. Run OFC.EXE which is located in the same directory.

According to the article above, this will batch convert all your .doc files to .docx — if I were you, I’d try it on just a sampling of files copied into a test directory. Make sure the files are useable by opening them in Office. If you’re happy, re-edit OFC.INI to use the real directory your files are saved to, and have at it.

Of course, you know to BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP before you do anything…

Personally, I’d just save each file as .docx as I used it. Or not upgrade to Office 2007 (still using 2003 and not gonna change it).

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I took a different approach. When I bought a new Windows 7 computer, I installed Office 2010. I had previously used Office 2000 in Windows XP. Since I had so many doc files and wanted everything to be the same (as my old computer), I set the default file format to doc instead of docx. Now Word always saves files in doc format unless I choose otherwise. Maybe doc files aren’t quite as compact as docx files and maybe there are some advanced features that aren’t saved (in doc format), but I have not had any issues with this method.

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GS, hello. >>> I had previously used Office 2000 in Windows XP <<<

I am on W-8 now and I still use Office 2000 for all my needs. It ran good on my path from W98, ( yes ! ) via XP, Millenium, Vista, W-7 and now W-8. One MS guru was quoted as saying that their main competition on Office 03 was all the previous versions of Office. I agree. JP.

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One feature that Word 2000 lacks is a good document comparison. Later versions, from 2003 on, do a far better job of showing you the differences between two documents.

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There is another way to convert a .doc file to .docx.
Open Word, go to file>>options >>save >> save files in this format[ ] pick the 1 of 15 formats.
Open each file (allow it to open completely) then save it. It will save as your flavormat. now you will have both verify 2 before deleting 1.
You could to prevent confusion load from folder A, save in B, verify, delete folder A and all files in it. I am sassuming you don’t have thousands of files.
If there are thousands burn a dvd then use DOS to convert or your other favorite file wrench.

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Hi
Thank you for your reply.
I have previously decided to leave things as they are and change the extension as that paper is revisited, much like your last suggestion.
That is a very interesting procedure you have outlined but it does lack a certain elegance.
Thank you for the time you spent with this suggestion but I think I’ll stick to Plan B.
Erikson

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If you do not have a specific need to use the .docx format, another alternative is to continue to use .doc as the default extension. You can change the default save format by pressing the Office button, choosing Word Options and choosing the Save category. The Save files in this format option has a drop down list to select the default format. This is helpful if you are sharing docs with others using Word 2003 or earlier.

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Hi
Thanks for your response. I never realized there were so many ways to “skin this cat”.
I appreciate your help.
Erikson

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At some point in the next 12 months I shall buy a new PC and will install Office 2010 Home and Student as I have a three user version and only one in use.

As there are thousands of doc. files to transfer to the new machine, and being reluctant to have both doc. and docx, my inclination is to make doc. the default.

But is there any real advantage in the newer format?

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The docx format makes for smaller files and supports numerous features not available in the doc format. Check out some of the Office 2007 reviews to get an idea of the differences. Most of the additional functionality Office 2007 introduced (expanded since) relies on the new file formats.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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A .doc file is in HTML format I believe and a .DocX file is in XML format. They are different animals.
NCH software NC.com has a converter, Doxillion, which will BATCH CONVERT from one to the other for ~ 19.95 USD.
Their ad says you can convert thousands at a time and if necessary back again.
Sounds like a church with thousands of converts?

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philomel: A .doc file is not stored in HTML formt, but in a proprietary binary format. A docx file is actual a zip archive of numerous xml files, plus and images etc that may be embedded in the document. The file conversion can be done easily enough with a macro. Do note that not everything in a docx file can be converted to the doc format.

PS: Another thing to consider is that documents containing macros and/or ActiveX controls cannot be converted to the docx format – those documents need to be converted to the docm format.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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