Filename extension | .doc |
---|---|
Internet media type | application/msword |
Uniform Type Identifier (UTI) | com.microsoft.word.doc |
Developed by | Microsoft |
Latest release |
5.0
(4 September 2015 ) |
Type of format | document file format |
Container for | Text, Image,Table |
Extended to | Microsoft Office XML formats, Office Open XML |
Open format? | Yes |
In computing, DOC or doc (an abbreviation of 'document') is a filename extension for word processing documents, most commonly in the proprietary Microsoft Word Binary File Format. Historically, the extension was used for documentation in plain text, particularly of programs or computer hardware on a wide range of operating systems. During the 1980s, WordPerfect used DOC as the extension of their proprietary format. Later, in 1983, Microsoft chose to use the DOC extension for their proprietary Microsoft Word format. These uses for the extension have largely disappeared from the PC world.
Binary DOC files often contain more text formatting information (as well as scripts and undo information) than some other document file formats like Rich Text Format and HyperText Markup Language, but are usually less widely compatible.
The DOC files created with Microsoft Word versions differ. Microsoft Word versions up to Word 97 used a different format from Microsoft Word 97 - 2003.
In Microsoft Word 2007 and later, the binary file format was replaced as the default format by the Office Open XML format, though Microsoft Word can still produce DOC files.