DOC vs XLSX
How do DOC and XLSXcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.doc
Full guide →Microsoft Word Document (Legacy)
DOC is the legacy binary format used by Microsoft Word before 2007. While still widely encountered, it has been superseded by DOCX. Many older documents and templates still use this format.
.xlsx
Full guide →Office Open XML Spreadsheet
XLSX is the default format for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. It supports complex formulas, charts, pivot tables, and large datasets. It's the industry standard for data analysis and financial modeling.
| Specification | DOC | XLSX |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Microsoft Word Document (Legacy) | Office Open XML Spreadsheet |
| Extension | .doc | .xlsx |
| MIME type | application/msword | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 1983 | 2007 |
DOC advantages
- Universal recognition
- Compatible with older Word versions
- Still supported by all major office suites
- Extensive installed base of existing documents
DOC limitations
- Larger file sizes than DOCX
- Binary format — harder to recover if corrupted
- Limited to older feature set
- Being phased out in favor of DOCX
XLSX advantages
- Powerful formula and calculation engine
- Supports charts, pivot tables, and macros
- Industry standard for business data
- Compatible with Google Sheets and LibreOffice
XLSX limitations
- Complex format for simple data
- Can be slow with very large datasets
- Formatting issues between applications
- Requires office software for full features
Which should you use?
DOC and XLSX serve different purposes. DOC is ideal for opening legacy documents, while XLSX excels at financial reports and budgets.
Best uses for DOC
Best uses for XLSX
Convert between DOC and XLSX
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.