.DOTX file extension

To open .DOTX files on Windows, right-click the .DOTX file and choose Open with > Microsoft Word (or another OOXML-compatible word processor).

To open a .DOTX file, use Microsoft Word or another Office Open XML–compatible word processor. If you just need a document (not a template), open it and then save/export as a .DOCX document.

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Last updated: April 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

What “reviewed” means on this page

Format fit: whether the “what is this file?” description plausibly matches common real-world use of the extension, including category, typical MIME types, and aliases.
Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps. Not every step was tested on every OS version.
Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
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Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless. Pages without “Reviewed by” have not been through this editorial pass yet.

Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .DOTX files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .DOTX files safely.

Windows

Right-click the .DOTX file and choose Open with > Microsoft Word (or another OOXML-compatible word processor).
To create a normal document from it, open it and use File > Save As to save a copy as .DOCX.

Full Windows guide

Mac

Control-click the .DOTX file and choose Open With > Microsoft Word.
If you need a regular document, open it and use File > Save As to save as .DOCX.

Full Mac guide

Linux

In your file manager, right-click the .DOTX file and choose Open With, then pick an installed word processor that supports Office Open XML.
If the app treats it as a template, create a new document from it and save/export as .DOCX.

Full Linux guide

iOS

Open the .DOTX file in the Microsoft Word app (if installed) from the Files app; if it won’t open, transfer the file to a desktop Word processor and save it as .DOCX.

Full iOS guide

Android

Open the .DOTX file in the Microsoft Word app; if it fails, open it on a desktop OOXML-compatible word processor and save it as .DOCX for easier mobile viewing.

Full Android guide

Security notes

.DOTX is the non-macro-enabled Word template format; if a template needs macros, it should be .DOTM. Treat unexpected .DOTM files with extra caution.
Because OOXML files are ZIP packages containing XML parts, a malformed or tampered file can still trigger bugs in file parsers—only open templates from sources you trust.
Be cautious with templates that include external-linked content (for example, content that updates from other files or locations) and review prompts before allowing updates.

Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .DOTX files fail to open.

Common reasons

The .DOTX file opens as a template instead of a normal document
“Can’t open file” or “File is corrupted”
Formatting looks different after opening
The file type association is wrong (opens in the wrong app)

Fix steps

Use the app’s option to create a new document from the template (or open it and immediately Save As).
Save the result as .DOCX so it behaves like a normal Word document.

Recover a deleted or lost .DOTX file

If the file was deleted by mistake or the drive was formatted, data recovery software may be able to get it back. Stop writing to that drive right away, because new data can overwrite what you want to recover.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Windows software that recovers deleted or lost files from PCs and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and memory cards, after deletion, formatting or a crash.

Wondershare Recoverit

Windows and Mac software that recovers deleted or lost files from computers and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and SD cards.

We may earn a commission when you use affiliate links. This supports our free file extension guides.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .DOTX file?

.DOTX is the OOXML Word template format (the template counterpart to .DOCX). OOXML files are ZIP packages containing XML parts that describe document content, styles, and settings (ECMA-376 / ISO/IEC 29500 family). Unlike .DOTM, .DOTX is the non-macro-enabled template format.

Background

.DOTX is a Word template format listed by Microsoft as part of the Open XML file extensions. Templates are used to standardize document formatting (fonts, headings, margins), include boilerplate text, and provide reusable building blocks for things like letters, reports, and forms.

Technically, .DOTX belongs to the Office Open XML family, which is a zipped, XML-based standard. That means a .DOTX file is essentially a structured archive of XML and related resources rather than a single binary file.

In everyday workflows, you typically don’t “edit” a template as the final deliverable; instead you create a new document from it. Many apps will open it directly for editing, but the intended use is to start a new document based on the template and then save the result as .DOCX.

Common MIME types: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template

Common .DOTX issues

The .DOTX file opens as a template instead of a normal document

.DOTX is meant to be a template, so some apps will prompt you to create a new file based on it rather than editing it as a finished document.

Use the app’s option to create a new document from the template (or open it and immediately Save As).
Save the result as .DOCX so it behaves like a normal Word document.

“Can’t open file” or “File is corrupted”

OOXML files are ZIP-based packages; partial downloads, email gateways, or storage errors can break the internal ZIP structure and prevent opening.

Re-download or request the file again (avoid copy/paste transfers that may truncate attachments).
Try opening the file in a different OOXML-compatible word processor to confirm whether it’s truly damaged.

Formatting looks different after opening

Templates often rely on specific fonts and style definitions; differences in available fonts and OOXML support across apps can change layout and spacing.

Open the .DOTX in Microsoft Word to compare the intended appearance.
Install missing fonts or replace them with common fonts, then re-save the template or export a .DOCX/PDF for sharing.

The file type association is wrong (opens in the wrong app)

Your system may be set to open .DOTX files with an app that doesn’t fully support Word templates.

Change the default app for .DOTX to Microsoft Word (or a known OOXML-compatible word processor).
After changing the association, reopen the file and Save As .DOCX if you need a standard document.

FAQ

What is the difference between .DOTX and .DOCX?

.DOTX is a template used to create new documents with predefined formatting and content. .DOCX is a regular Word document created from a template or from scratch.

What is the difference between .DOTX and .DOTM?

.DOTX is a non-macro-enabled Word template. .DOTM is a macro-enabled Word template.

Can I convert a .DOTX by renaming it to .DOCX?

No. Renaming only changes the extension. Open the template in a compatible app and use Save As (or Export) to create a real .DOCX file.