How do PDF and DOCcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Portable Document Format
PDF is the universal standard for sharing documents. It preserves formatting, fonts, and layout across all devices and operating systems. From contracts to resumes, PDF is the format the world relies on.
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 While still widely encountered, it has been superseded by DOCX.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.
| Specification | DOC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Document Format | Microsoft Word Document (Legacy) |
| Extension | .doc | |
| MIME type | application/pdf | application/msword |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Adobe Systems | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 1993 | 1983 |
PDF and DOC serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while DOC excels at opening legacy documents.
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