Did you just download or receive a Microsoft Word document on your desktop or mobile device but you don't have Word installed? Don't let that Doc or DOCX extension freak you out. You lot have many ways to open up and edit the file without having to shell out for an Part 365 subscription.

For instance, did you know that Office Online lets yous work with any Word document free of charge? Or that you lot can use open-source software such as OpenOffice and LibreOffice for a Word-like experience offline? Probably not.

Here's a rundown of the best methods to open and edit Word documents on any device without having Microsoft Give-and-take installed.

ane.WordPad & TextEdit

You can open any Word document with nothing other than WordPad or TextEdit on the PC or Mac. Unfortunately, both programs have limited compatibility with the DOC and DOCX formats, which almost always causes files to render incorrectly. But they're perfect for skimming through documents quickly, and you don't have to install anything.

Only double-click a Give-and-take file, and information technology should open up in WordPad or TextEdit automatically. You can also perform edits to documents, but it'due south all-time to avoid doing that unless you lot don't listen dealing with serious formatting bug.

On the Mac, an fifty-fifty faster mode to open a Word document without Word installed is to select the document and press Space. You can so read everything inside the document via Quick Look.

2. Word Mobile (Windows Only)

Word Mobile allows you to open up and view the contents of whatever Discussion document for gratuitous. It's geared toward impact-based Windows devices, just you tin install and employ it on any PC without bug.

The app likewise lets yous edit files equally long as you lot pay for an Office 365 subscription. Still, if all you want is to read through a DOCX file with nada formatting errors, then installing Give-and-take Mobile is an excellent selection.

iii. OpenOffice or LibreOffice

Both OpenOffice and LibreOffice are ii free open-source alternatives to Microsoft Role. To brand matters better, the OpenOffice Author and LibreOffice Writer programs in each suite support the DOC and DOCX formats, then you can open and edit any Word document hands.

LibreOffice does have the border over OpenOffice with better features and a faster update cycle. But if you want a long-term (free) solution to opening and editing Word documents on a desktop device, either discussion processor should cutting information technology.

iv. Discussion Online

Microsoft offers a stripped-down version of the Office suite in web app course, and information technology includes Word. The best affair is that yous don't have to pay anything to utilize it!

Just create a free Microsoft Account (if you lot already don't have one), upload the DOCX file to OneDrive, and double-click to open information technology in Word Online. You can then edit the document, collaborate on information technology with other Word users, and download a modified copy to local storage.

Using Word Online guarantees that you won't meet problems while viewing and editing DOCX files. Just don't expect to employ the advanced formatting options found in the paid desktop version.

five. Google Docs

Google Docs is a browser-based word processor similar to Discussion Online and features complete support for the Md and DOCX formats. All you demand is a Google Business relationship to go started. You tin can then upload whatsoever Discussion file to Google Drive (which provides 15GB of free storage), open up information technology in Google Docs, and first reading and editing it.

02-24-2021 Portsmouth, Hampshire, United kingdom A mobile phone or jail cell phone existence held by a hand with the Google docs app open up on screen

You lot tin also catechumen the file to Google Docs'southward native GDOC format for maximum compatibility and salvage it back in several pop formats (including DOCX).

Compared to Word Online, Google Docs has a lot going for it with superior functioning and functionality. Don't forget to check our Google Docs beginner'due south guide for more than details.

6. Apple Pages

The Mac's native word-processor, Apple Pages, non only offers extensive word-processing capabilities merely is totally free to utilise. It's also compatible with the Physician and DOCX formats. Just grab it off the Mac App Store, and all Word documents should open in it automatically.

Additionally, you tin utilise the online version of Apple Pages via iCloud.com to view and edit Give-and-take documents without Word installed, fifty-fifty from a Windows PC. You exercise demand an Apple tree ID, simply you don't have to own an Apple tree product to create ane.

7. Smallpdf & ZamZar

Have y'all thought about converting a Word document to a universally readable format such equally PDF? That helps minimize formatting errors and is a great way to avoid compatibility bug when sharing files with other people.

Simply upload the file to an online converter such as Smallpdf or ZamZar, specify you lot want to catechumen from Discussion to PDF, and wait until the conversion procedure completes before downloading it back.

8. Docs (Android) & Pages (iOS)

If yous utilise an Android smartphone or an iOS device, yous can use the native Google Docs (Android) or Apple Pages (iOS) apps to open and edit Word Documents.

Yous can also download Google Docs on the iPhone, and we recommend doing that since it tends to take fewer formatting issues than Pages. Additionally, yous tin preview Word documents using the Files app on iOS.

nine. Word for Android & iOS

Unlike on desktop, Discussion for Android and iOS allows you to open up and edit Word documents for costless. You can download the app off the Play Store or the App Store, and you don't even need a Microsoft Account to kickoff using it.

Notwithstanding, Give-and-take's mobile app is basic in terms of functionality, and some features require an Office 365 subscription. But it's practiced plenty for minor edits and you also won't experience issues with formatting.

It'southward Like shooting fish in a barrel to Open a Give-and-take Document Without Word Installed

As you just saw, yous have plenty of gratis options to open and edit Word documents. However, if you found them to be defective, consider subscribing to a free Office 365 trial. You tin can so use the full version of Word on whatever platform (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) for up to 30 days. That should requite you lot enough time to make up one's mind if it's worth ownership.