---
title: ".dotx file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .dotx file is a Word Template (Open XML). A Word template — double-clicking it creates a new document rather than editing the original. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/dotx/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .dotx files

**.dotx file: Word Template (Open XML)**

A Word template — double-clicking it creates a new document rather than editing the original.

## What opens a .dotx file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer
- **macOS:** Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Pages (built in)
- **Linux:** LibreOffice Writer, OnlyOffice

## What a .dotx file is

DOTX holds the styles, layout and boilerplate that new documents are built from. Opening one normally spawns an untitled copy, which is what people mean when they say the file "will not save"; to edit the template itself, open it explicitly from within Word. The macro-enabled equivalent is .dotm, and the legacy binary one is .dot.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .dotx
- **Full name:** Word Template (Open XML)
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Microsoft Word; on macOS use Microsoft Word; on Linux use LibreOffice Writer. A Word template — double-clicking it creates a new document rather than editing the original.

### What is a .dotx file?

Word Template (Open XML). DOTX holds the styles, layout and boilerplate that new documents are built from. Opening one normally spawns an untitled copy, which is what people mean when they say the file "will not save"; to edit the template itself, open it explicitly from within Word.

### Can I convert a .dotx file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .docx, .pdf, .ott or .dotm, 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/)