---
title: ".docm file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .docm file is a Word Macro-Enabled Document. A Word document carrying VBA macros. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/docm/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .docm files

**.docm file: Word Macro-Enabled Document**

A Word document carrying VBA macros.

## What opens a .docm file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer (macros may not run)
- **macOS:** Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer (macros may not run)
- **Linux:** LibreOffice Writer (macros may not run), OnlyOffice

## What a .docm file is

DOCM is the macro-bearing counterpart of DOCX, introduced in Office 2007 precisely so that a plain .docx could be trusted not to contain code. Word opens it with macros blocked until you click through the warning, and Microsoft now blocks macros outright in files downloaded from the internet. If you did not expect the attachment, do not enable content.

## Converting it

A .docm file is commonly converted to .docx, .pdf, .odt or .txt. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .docm
- **Full name:** Word Macro-Enabled Document
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.ms-word.document.macroEnabled.12
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .docm file?

On Windows use Microsoft Word; on macOS use Microsoft Word; on Linux use LibreOffice Writer (macros may not run). A Word document carrying VBA macros.

### What is a .docm file?

Word Macro-Enabled Document. DOCM is the macro-bearing counterpart of DOCX, introduced in Office 2007 precisely so that a plain .docx could be trusted not to contain code. Word opens it with macros blocked until you click through the warning, and Microsoft now blocks macros outright in files downloaded from the internet.

### Can I convert a .docm file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .docx, .pdf, .odt or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)