How to Convert Word 2007 Docs for Macs

By | March 22, 2007

A few readers have asked how to convert Word documents created in the new Microsoft Open Office XML Format with the docx extension so they can read them on a Mac. The answer: awkwardly.

Windows users have a converter they can download.

The Microsoft Mac team promised something similar back in December and yet haven’t, as far as I can see, delivered.

Into the gap have stepped some third party developers:

  • Docx Converter will convert a Microsoft Office .docx file into a simple html file. (It strips out some of the formatting, but now supports bold, italic, and underlined text. Left, right, center, and justified alignment etc.) A Mac widget is also available.
  • docx2doc allows you to upload a docx document It was free, but apparently seems to be in such high demand it now costs either $1 or $2 per document converted. Payment is via PayPal; upon payment you’ll receive a download link via email.  
  • Panergy’s docXconverter sounds more straightforward, but will cost you: $20 or $30 for two years of maintenance and upgrades. We should hope Microsoft won’t be that long to come out with their own converter.

None of these is perfect; we shouldn’t have to hand over money just to read a document. Of course the best solution is to save documents in the old doc format if you’re going to share them with other people.

Thanks to these sites, and the comments on them, for pointers: CreativeIQ, APC Mag an Lifehacker.

3 thoughts on “How to Convert Word 2007 Docs for Macs

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  2. dag

    As the owner and developer of docx2doc.com I agree with you that none of these sites are perfect. I would love to provide the service for free, but the cost of keeping a secure webserver & dedicated high-performance broadband connection ranges between $150 and $200 a month. I used to run the site on a “donation” basis, but less than 0.05% of users donated.

    Anyways – if anyone can give me some advice to get $200/month to pay my expenses, then I keep the site free 🙂

    Good luck with your docx-ing !

    Reply

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