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Word cannot open this file the file format does not match the file extension (C:\users\...\spreadsheet_contents.docx)

Anonymous
2014-03-19T16:09:23+00:00

how can I change this file to a doc. file

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-20T19:05:57+00:00

    Hello Carol,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Office Community.

    Follow the steps mentioned below to change the extension of a document from *.docx to *.doc and see if it helps:

    1. Open Windows Explorer and on click Viewtab and clear File name extensions checkbox.

    Note: Ensure to check File name extensions after the troubleshooting process.

    1. Right click on the document and select Rename.
    2. Now change the extension of the document from *.docx to *.doc and then try opening it.

    Hope the above information helps. Reply with the result and I'll be happy to help you further.

    Thank you.

    378 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-21T01:46:47+00:00

    Hello Carol,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Office Community.

    Follow the steps mentioned below to change the extension of a document from *.docx to *.doc and see if it helps:

    1. Open Windows Explorer and on click View tab and clear File name extensions checkbox.

    Note: Ensure to check File name extensions after the troubleshooting process.

    1. Right click on the document and select Rename.
    2. Now change the extension of the document from *.docx to *.doc and then try opening it.

    Hope the above information helps. Reply with the result and I'll be happy to help you further.

    Thank you.

    Hi There, I just tried this and am getting another error message:  "Word cannot open the file because it is an unsupported file type

    38 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 321.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-10-21T03:22:37+00:00

    What was the original file extension?   Note, changing the extension will NOT change the type of file

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-21T06:39:36+00:00

    What was the original file extension?   Note, changing the extension will NOT change the type of file

     *.docx

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 321.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-10-21T09:09:31+00:00

    If you change the extension to .zip, can you open that archive, which is what docx files are.

    What was the origin of the document?

    If you want to send a copy of it to me, I will see if there is anyway that I can open it.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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