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Convert DOCX to ODT - Open Your Documents Anywhere

Transform Word documents to OpenDocument format. Edit freely in LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert DOCX to ODT?

You have Word documents but prefer working in LibreOffice or OpenOffice. Or maybe your organization requires open format documents for compliance. Either way, converting DOCX files to ODT gives you full editing capability in free office software without paying for Microsoft Office licenses.

ODT (OpenDocument Text) is the native format for LibreOffice Writer and Apache OpenOffice Writer. While these programs can open DOCX files, saving in ODT ensures perfect compatibility and access to all features. In our testing, documents converted to ODT maintain their formatting while gaining full editability in open-source office suites.

How to Convert DOCX to ODT

  1. Upload your DOCX file - Drag and drop or click to select your Word document
  2. Confirm ODT output - ODT is selected for OpenDocument compatibility
  3. Download your file - Open in LibreOffice, OpenOffice, or any ODF-compatible application

The conversion happens in your browser. No software installation, no account required, no file size waiting.

What Gets Preserved

In our testing, DOCX to ODT conversion maintains the elements that matter most for document editing:

  • Text and paragraphs - All content transfers intact with paragraph styles
  • Formatting - Bold, italic, underline, colors, and font choices remain
  • Tables - Standard tables convert cleanly with cell formatting preserved
  • Images - Embedded pictures maintain position and sizing
  • Lists - Bullets and numbered lists keep their structure
  • Headers and footers - Page structure elements transfer correctly
  • Footnotes and endnotes - References maintain their links

For typical business documents, reports, and academic papers, the conversion is seamless. You will not notice a difference in appearance.

What May Change

Some advanced Word-specific features behave differently in ODT format. In our testing, these are the main considerations:

  • Track Changes - Revision history gets accepted and flattened in ODT. Save your final version or export tracked changes before converting
  • Macros and VBA - Word macros do not transfer. LibreOffice uses a different scripting system
  • SmartArt - Complex graphics convert to basic shapes, losing interactive editing
  • Document themes - Theme-based formatting converts to direct formatting
  • Complex tables - Tables exceeding 64 columns may need adjustment

For standard text documents, these limitations rarely matter. If your document relies heavily on macros or SmartArt, consider whether ODT suits your workflow.

Who Uses ODT Format

Government Agencies

Many governments mandate open formats for public documents. The UK civil service uses ODF as standard. NATO requires ODF for documents shared among its 26 member nations. The European Union recommends open formats for public sector documents.

Educational Institutions

Schools and universities using LibreOffice need documents in ODT format. Students working on shared projects benefit from format consistency. Budget-conscious institutions save thousands by avoiding Microsoft Office licenses.

Open Source Advocates

Privacy-conscious users prefer ODT because it is an ISO international standard (ISO/IEC 26300). Your documents remain accessible regardless of which company controls the software market. No vendor lock-in means freedom to switch applications anytime.

Cost-Conscious Organizations

LibreOffice is free. For organizations with hundreds of users, switching from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice saves substantial licensing costs. Converting existing DOCX archives to ODT completes the transition.

ODT vs DOCX: Format Comparison

FeatureDOCXODT
Native applicationMicrosoft WordLibreOffice Writer, OpenOffice Writer
StandardECMA-376 / ISO 29500OASIS / ISO 26300
License costRequires Office licenseFree with LibreOffice
Cross-platformBest on WindowsEqual on Windows, Mac, Linux
Long-term accessDepends on MicrosoftOpen standard, future-proof
File sizeTypically largerOften smaller

Both formats are XML-based and store documents as compressed archives. The key difference is ecosystem: DOCX ties you to Microsoft, while ODT works with any ODF-compliant application.

Alternative Conversions

Depending on your needs, other formats might serve you better:

  • DOCX to PDF - When you need to share documents without allowing editing
  • DOCX to TXT - When you only need the text content without formatting
  • DOCX to RTF - For maximum compatibility with older word processors
  • DOCX to HTML - For web publishing or email content

If you receive ODT files and need them in Word format, you can also convert ODT files back to DOCX.

Batch Conversion

Migrating an entire document library from Word to LibreOffice? Upload multiple DOCX files and convert them all to ODT at once. In our testing, batch conversion maintains the same quality as individual file conversion. This is particularly useful for organizations standardizing on open formats.

Works on Any Device

Convert DOCX to ODT directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No downloads, no plugins, no Java required. If your browser runs JavaScript, you can convert files.

Pro Tip

Before batch converting a document library, test a few representative documents first. Check that your most complex files - those with tables, images, and custom formatting - convert correctly. This helps identify any documents that need individual attention.

Common Mistake

Converting documents with active Track Changes and assuming the revision history transfers. It does not. All tracked changes are accepted during conversion. Review and finalize changes before converting, or keep the DOCX original for reference.

Best For

Organizations migrating from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, government agencies requiring open format compliance, educational institutions standardizing on free software, and anyone who wants long-term access to their documents without vendor dependency.

Not Recommended

If you collaborate frequently with Microsoft Office users and share documents back and forth, staying with DOCX may cause fewer compatibility issues. Also avoid converting documents that rely heavily on Word macros, SmartArt, or advanced features that do not have ODT equivalents.

Frequently Asked Questions

ODT (OpenDocument Text) is the standard document format for LibreOffice Writer and Apache OpenOffice Writer. It is an open ISO standard (ISO/IEC 26300) that ensures your documents remain accessible regardless of which software you use in the future.

Yes, LibreOffice can open DOCX files. However, some advanced Word features may not work correctly. Converting to ODT ensures full compatibility with all LibreOffice features and eliminates potential formatting issues.

For standard documents with text, tables, images, and basic formatting, yes. The appearance remains virtually identical. Advanced Word features like SmartArt, macros, and complex themes may convert differently.

Yes. When converting DOCX to ODT, all tracked changes are automatically accepted. If you need to preserve revision history, keep a copy of the original DOCX file or export your tracked changes before converting.

Neither is objectively better - it depends on your needs. ODT is better for open-source workflows, long-term archiving, and avoiding vendor lock-in. DOCX is better if you collaborate primarily with Microsoft Office users or need advanced Word features.

Governments prefer ODT because it is an open international standard. This ensures public documents remain accessible to citizens regardless of which software they own. It also avoids dependency on a single software vendor and often reduces licensing costs.

Yes. ODT files can be converted back to DOCX when needed. However, converting back and forth repeatedly may cause minor formatting changes, so it is best to choose one format as your primary working format.

No. Word VBA macros are removed during conversion because ODT uses a different programming language. LibreOffice uses its own macro system, so macros would need to be recreated if automation is required.

Yes. The conversion happens entirely in your browser using client-side processing. Your files are not uploaded to any server. They stay on your device throughout the conversion process.

LibreOffice Writer, Apache OpenOffice Writer, Google Docs, Microsoft Word (with some limitations), Calligra Words, and many other word processors support ODT. The format works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.

Yes. Upload multiple files and convert them all to ODT in a single batch. This is useful for organizations migrating document libraries from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice.

Font names and sizes are preserved. However, if your document uses fonts not installed on the computer opening the ODT file, the application will substitute similar fonts. For best results, use common fonts or embed fonts in your original document.

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