.doc
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 While still widely encountered, it has been superseded by DOCX.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.
MIME type
application/msword
Developer
Microsoft
Introduced
1983
Advantages
- Universal recognition
- Compatible with older Word versions
- Still supported by all major office suites
- Extensive installed base of existing documents
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
When to use DOC
Technical details
DOC uses the Microsoft Compound Binary File Format (OLE2). It stores text, formatting, images, and embedded objects in a binary stream structure.
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Portable Document Format
Office Open XML Document
Plain Text File
Office Open XML Spreadsheet
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy)
Comma-Separated Values
Office Open XML Presentation
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation (Legacy)
Open Document Text
Rich Text Format
HyperText Markup Language
Electronic Publication