┌─ FILE ANALYSIS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┐
│ DEVELOPER : Microsoft
│ CATEGORY : Document
│ MIME TYPE : application/msword
│ MAGIC BYTES : D0CF11E0A1B11AE1
└ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┘
What is a DOC file?
DOC is a binary file format used by Microsoft Word from 1997 to 2007. It stores formatted text, images, tables, and other document elements in a proprietary binary structure (OLE Compound Document). It was superseded by the XML-based DOCX format in Office 2007.
How to open DOC files
- Microsoft Word (Windows, macOS) — Full editing support
- Google Docs (Web) — Free, online editing
- LibreOffice Writer (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Free, open-source
- Apple Pages (macOS, iOS) — Free
- WPS Office (Windows, macOS, Linux, Mobile) — Free
Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | OLE2 Compound Document |
| Encoding | Binary |
| Macros | VBA macro support |
| Max Size | ~512 MB |
| Compatibility | Office 97–2003 |
Programs that open DOC files
- Microsoft Word — Native editor
- LibreOffice Writer — Free alternative
- Google Docs — Online editing
- WPS Office — Free office suite
- Apple Pages — macOS/iOS word processor
Common use cases
- Legacy documents: Old Word files from pre-2007
- Compatibility: Sharing with users on older software
- Macro documents: VBA-enabled templates