The DOCX file is the new format of file used by Microsoft Office 2007 and the future Upgrade 2010 but particularly by the Word application with Microsoft Office. DOCX is an open format, with clear definitions of how the file is put together which makes it easy for other applications to access and work on the document files.

A DOCX file can be opened with the use of an unzipping application or programme which needs to understand the frame work used by the DOCX to manage the different parts of the file as included in it. Basically MS Office 2007 is the logical application to use, which is as simple as selecting file, Open from the menu, and then navigating to the DOCX file and selecting it.

A file in the DOCX format that has been received through e-mail can be opened by right clicking on the file and the clicking open and finally clicking ‘the save as’ where it would naturally open if the Microsoft Office 2007 is installed on the system, and Microsoft Office Office 2007 is not installed but an older version of Word, such as Word 2003, or Word 2000, then a download of an update from the Microsoft website that will upgrade the version of Microsoft Office or Microsoft can be made Word so that it is able to open DOCX files and save them in the DOCX format.

Other Computers which do not have Microsoft Office or word can open a DOCX file if they have other applications which are compatible with the file apart from the native Microsoft Office2007, like AbiWord, Microsoft Works 9.0, OS X 10.5, NeoOffice, OpenOffice 3.0, Nissus Writer, and Apple’s iWork 09 for Mac users.