How to Convert .doc to .docx Without Losing Formatting

You have a document saved in the older .doc format and need to update it to the modern .docx format. Converting directly in Word can sometimes shift margins, change fonts, or break complex layouts if not done correctly. This article explains how to use Word’s built-in conversion tools to preserve your original formatting with minimal risk.

How the .doc to .docx Conversion Works

The .doc format (Word 97-2003) uses a binary file structure. The .docx format uses Office Open XML, a compressed XML-based structure. When Word converts a .doc file to .docx, it re-encodes the content into the new format. Most formatting elements like fonts, paragraph styles, images, and tables transfer directly. However, some features from the old format such as certain legacy macro types or WordArt objects may not have a direct equivalent in .docx. Word handles these by either converting them to a supported equivalent or flagging them for review.

Before you convert, check the document for any features that might cause a formatting shift. Common troublemakers include complex tables with merged cells, embedded OLE objects, and cross-references to other .doc files. If the document contains these, consider converting a copy first and inspecting the result.

Method 1: Convert Using File > Info > Convert

This method modifies the current file in place. It upgrades the document to .docx format and overwrites the original .doc file. Use this when you no longer need the old .doc version.

1. Open the .doc file in Word
   Launch Word and open the .doc document you want to convert. The file appears in Compatibility Mode, indicated by the text “Compatibility Mode” in the title bar.
2. Go to File > Info
   Click the File tab, then select Info from the left menu.
3. Click Convert
   In the Info pane, locate the Convert button near the top. A dialog box appears explaining that the document will be upgraded to the new file format.
4. Confirm the conversion
   Click OK in the confirmation dialog. Word converts the file to .docx and closes Compatibility Mode. The title bar no longer shows “Compatibility Mode.”
5. Save the converted file
   Press Ctrl+S to save the changes. Word saves the file as a .docx document in the original location, overwriting the .doc file.

Method 2: Convert Using Save As to Preserve the Original

If you want to keep the original .doc file unchanged, use Save As to create a separate .docx copy. This method gives you a fallback if the conversion introduces any formatting issues.

1. Open the .doc file in Word
   Open the document normally. Word opens it in Compatibility Mode.
2. Go to File > Save As
   Click the File tab, then select Save As. Choose a location like This PC or a cloud folder.
3. Choose Word Document (.docx) as the file type
   In the Save As dialog, open the Save as type dropdown list. Select Word Document (.docx).
4. Rename the file if needed
   In the File name field, enter a new name or keep the existing one. The original .doc file remains untouched.
5. Click Save
   Word creates a new .docx file and opens it. The original .doc file stays in its folder. Verify that the new file looks correct.

Method 3: Bulk Convert Multiple .doc Files to .docx

If you have many .doc files to convert, use Word’s built-in Document Converter or a simple macro. The Document Converter tool is available in Word but is not installed by default in all editions. You can also use a VBA macro for batch processing.

1. Open a blank document in Word
   Start Word and create a new blank document.
2. Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA editor
   This opens the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.
3. Insert a new module
   In the menu, click Insert > Module. A blank code window appears.
4. Paste the bulk conversion macro
   Copy and paste the following code into the module window:
   Sub ConvertAllDocToDocx()
Dim strFile As String
Dim strFolder As String
strFolder = "C:\YourFolder\" ' Change this to your folder path
strFile = Dir(strFolder & "doc")

Do While strFile <> ""
Documents.Open strFolder & strFile
ActiveDocument.SaveAs2 FileName:=strFolder & Replace(strFile, ".doc", ".docx"), FileFormat:=wdFormatDocumentDefault
ActiveDocument.Close
strFile = Dir
Loop
End Sub
5. Run the macro
   Press F5 to run the macro. Word opens each .doc file in the folder, saves it as .docx, and closes it. Check the folder for the new .docx files.

Common Issues After Conversion and How to Fix Them

Margins or Page Size Changed After Conversion

If the page layout looks different, the .doc file might have used printer-specific settings that .docx handles differently. To fix this, go to Layout > Margins and select the correct preset. Then go to Layout > Size and choose the correct page size. Save the document.

Fonts Appear Different or Missing

The .doc file may have used fonts not installed on the current system. Word substitutes missing fonts with similar ones. To restore the original appearance, install the missing fonts on your system. Alternatively, select all text Ctrl+A and apply a standard font like Calibri or Arial.

Images or Objects Are Misaligned

Images with absolute positioning or text wrapping in the .doc format may shift in .docx. Right-click each misaligned image and select Wrap Text. Choose a wrapping style that matches the original layout, such as In Line with Text or Square. Reposition the image manually.

Tables With Merged Cells Break Across Pages

Word may split merged cells across pages after conversion. Click inside the table. Go to Table Design > Properties. On the Row tab, uncheck Allow row to break across pages. Repeat for each row that should stay together.

.doc vs .docx: Key Differences After Conversion

Item	.doc (Word 97-2003)	.docx (Word 2007 and later)
File size	Larger due to binary storage	Smaller due to XML compression
Compatibility	Works in older Word versions	Not supported in Word 2003 or earlier without compatibility pack
Macros	Supports legacy macro types	Supports VBA macros only
Corruption risk	Higher due to binary format	Lower due to XML structure
Editing features	Limited to Word 2003 features	Full access to modern features like new chart types and content controls

After conversion, you can use all Word features that were unavailable in Compatibility Mode, including the improved Styles pane, SmartArt, and modern chart tools. The .docx format also enables better collaboration with Track Changes and real-time co-authoring in Word for Microsoft 365.

To further protect your formatting, consider saving a backup of the .doc file before converting. If you notice any layout shifts after conversion, use the Compare feature under Review > Compare to see exactly what changed between the original .doc and the new .docx file. This gives you a precise list of formatting differences to fix.