Docx is a file format that was introduced with the MS Office 2007 suite in 2007. Older versions of MS word and many other substitute Office applications of MS Office do not have the capacity to open docx files. This has led to the search for other methods to open Docx documents apart from the MS Office 2007 suite.

There are many options to help open docx files and one of them is with the use of a docx viewer. A docx viewer is an application that helps people who do not have the MS Office 2007 suite. It is able to edit, save and view docx files. The Microsoft docx viewer is available on the Microsoft website but works only with Windows 2000 and later versions. Older versions of Windows such as Windows 95 and Windows 98 do not have the facility to install and run docx viewer. There are also some other versions of docx viewer created and distributed by others apart from Microsoft and that also can be installed and used to open docx files. These however, also need an operating system of Windows 2000 or later versions.

Another option is to make use of the latest OpenOffice 3.0 version. It is equipped with XML unzipping features similar to what is used by MS Word 2007. OpenOffice 3.0 is able to open, edit and save docx files. Older versions of OpenOffice cannot open docx files and would need the docx files to first be converted to the more regular doc format and then opened using the Open option under the File menu. Those with older versions can also install the translator developed by Novell called the OpenOffice OpenXml translator.

For linux users they can open docx files using a free open source application such as OpenOffice 3.0 version. Another very effective option is the use of online docx converter websites. Just an internet access is all that is needed. You can simply upload your files online and then have it converted to a format you can open. You then download and save. This option may not be the best for sensitive secret information