DOTX File Extension
Word Open XML Document Template
- File Type dotx
- Developer Microsoft
- Popularity
- Application Microsoft Word
- Category Data Files
- Format Zip
What is a DOTX file?
The DOTX extension is related to Word Open XML Document Template and is classified in the Data Files category, which contains 6196 files.
The Word Open XML Document Template (DOTX) was developed by Microsoft, which created file format and 242 programs to work with them.
DOTX files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux, as well as mobile phones such as Apple iOS, Windows Phone and Android. To open a DOTX file, you can choose from 5 programs such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office Mobile and OpenOffice Writer.
MIME types
- application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template
File Signature
HEX code: 50 4B 03 04. ASCII code: PK.
Programs that support DOTX files
How to open a DOTX file?
If you cannot open a DOTX file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office Mobile and OpenOffice Writer stand out as the preferred programs to manage DOTX files effectively. To install the latest version of Microsoft Word on your computer, visit the Microsoft website where you can download the version available for all operating systems.
After completing the installation, DOTX files should be recognized by the system and linked to Microsoft Word.
Make Microsoft Word the default DOTX viewer
Change the default app to open files on Mac
- Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired DOTX file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
- Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
- In the lower section of the window, you’ll find the "Enable" menu, with "Recommended Programs" pre-selected as the default option;
- Select "All Programs" in this menu, and then search for Microsoft Word. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make sure it’s the default option.
Set default programs for Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your DOTX file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
- Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Microsoft Word as the application to associate with your DOTX file;
- Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".
Convert files to and from DOTX
If you have trouble working with a DOTX file, try converting it to PDF, RTF, DOC, DOCX, DO or similar data files.
Be aware that converting a DOTX file may reduce some features, but you can usually revert it to the original format.
Applications such as Microsoft Word and OpenOffice Writer offer offline conversion of DOTX files to multiple formats, preserving quality.
Convert DOTX to other file formats
Converting Files to DOTX Format
Finding answers to DOTX file problems
While DOTX files can sometimes present difficulties, most problems can be resolved quickly with minor software modifications. Check the tips below to help solve them.
What are the ways to check if my DOTX file is damaged?
DOTX data files that have become corrupted may display one or more of the following symptoms:
- The file does not respond or shows errors when opening it;
- The file exhibits poor performance during editing operations in Microsoft Word;
- The file stops responding or freezes in Microsoft Word or other programs;
- Unexplained DOTX file size inflation;
- Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;
Why does Microsoft Word crash?
Insufficient updates for Microsoft products can cause Microsoft Word to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software updates.
A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.
How to repair a corrupted DOTX file?
Use a recovery program to open the damaged DOTX file, and in the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Wait for the recovery process to finish, allowing automatic repair of damaged data files.
How to edit a DOTX file?
To make changes to DOTX files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the data files. Online DOTX editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Word Open XML Document Template.
Best DOTX Editor Software in 2026
Taking the above factors into account, we have selected a list of DOTX editors currently available.
| DOTX Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office Mobile | Microsoft | Android, Windows Phone | 4.7 out of 5 (34 reviews) |
| OpenOffice Writer | OpenOffice | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.7 out of 5 (37 reviews) |
| LibreOffice Writer | TDF | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.5 out of 5 (40 reviews) |
| Microsoft Word | Microsoft | Windows, Mac OS, Apple iOS, Android | 4.4 out of 5 (39 reviews) |