Microsoft Word is quite expensive, costing over $100 on its own. While you can get the 365 package, you still have to shell out a pretty penny. But what if you really need to open a Word document and read it?
Fortunately, there are many ways to open Word documents without using Microsoft Word. They range from completely free products to paid programs. In this article, we will teach you how to open these DOCX files.
How to open Word documents without Word
There are many free services that allow you to read and even edit Word documents. You must have an email address, preferably Gmail. Additionally, you can also download the free software available.
Use Microsoft Word online
Microsoft Office Online includes Word Online. Unlike the software version of Word, it is completely free and has enough features for the average user. While you may prefer the full version, the online version is still quite popular.
You just need to sign up for a Microsoft account to get access to Word. You must also use Microsoft OneDrive to upload the document and read it. In Word Online, uploading any document automatically saves it to your OneDrive cloud.
Once you’re done, you can delete it as needed.
Here’s how to open a Word document using Microsoft Word Online:
- Open OneDrive.
- Upload your Word document to OneDrive.
- Click the document to open it.
- Word Online will open in a new tab and display the document.
- Read or edit the document.
- Save the document to your PC.
- Delete the file from OneDrive if you wish.
Alternatively, you can simply open Word Online and then look for the option to load and open. It only takes a few seconds so you can get to work instantly. You still need to delete the document from OneDrive if you want to free up cloud storage space.
Install LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a completely free and open source office suite, hailed as one of the best alternatives to Microsoft Office. Naturally, you can open Word documents without problems. The particular LibreOffice software we will use is LibreOffice Writer.
In addition to Windows, you can use LibreOffice on macOS and Linux. It is even compatible with both Android and iOS mobile devices. You can open, view or even edit on the fly.
To open a Word document with LibreOffice, follow these steps:
- Discharge LibreOffice from the official website.
- Install LibreOffice.
- Go to your Word document.
- Right click on it.
- Select “Open with.”
- From the list of programs, choose LibreOffice.
- Choose the option to always open with LibreOffice if you wish.
- You can now view and edit the Word document.
- When you’re done, save it and close LibreOffice Writer.
Being a completely free program, anyone with a computer or mobile device can open a Word document even if they don’t have Microsoft Word. As such, LibreOffice remains attractive to those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on Microsoft Office.
Use Google Docs
Like Microsoft Word Online, Google Docs can open all your Word documents for free. All you need to do is upload a Word document to Google Drive and you can open it immediately. That’s why we mentioned that having a Google account would be a great idea as it comes with both services for free.
Google Docs is not as comprehensive as Microsoft Word Online, but it is still a very good way to access your Word documents. You also don’t need to save the file to your Google Drive, as you always have the option to delete it once you save it to your PC. In the end, it depends on personal preference.
To open a Word document using Google Docs, see the steps below:
- Sign up for a Google account if you don’t have one.
- Open Google Drive.
- Drag and drop your Word document to your Google Drive.
- After it loads, you can open it.
- Google Docs will open in a new tab.
- You are now free to view and edit the file as you wish.
- Save the file to your PC or device if necessary.
- When you’re done, you can go back to Google Drive and delete it.
- Close all tabs.
This option, like Word Online, is perfect if you’re not interested in installing software on your device. For those using Chromebooks or low-capacity mobile devices, it’s a great way to save space for more important software or files.
Open a document with Zoho Writer
Another free web-based service is Zoho Writer. You can use your Google, Yahoo! or Facebook to log in immediately or register there. Zoho Writer is a very standard word processing service and you will feel right at home using it.
To learn how to use Zoho Writer to open Word documents, follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Zoho account or use one of the three accounts mentioned above to log in.
- Go to Zoho Writer.
- Select File.”
- Select “Upload Document.”
- Finally, select “Browse” and locate the document you want to open.
- Once imported, you can open the document.
- View or edit the document.
- When you’re done, you can save the document if you want.
Zoho Writer is even available in mobile devicesand are compatible with Android and iOS phones. You’ll be able to open Word documents wherever you are, as long as you have the file and the app on your phone.
Download the free Word app
If you prefer to open Word on your mobile devices, there is a free Word app that you can download from the app stores. The Word application is completely free and you do not need to purchase Microsoft Office to use it. Plus, it has almost everything you need.
To download the free official Word app, follow these steps:
- Find the Word app in your device’s app store.
- Download and install the Word application.
- Open the Word application.
- Find the Word document you want to open.
- Select the document and open it.
- Start viewing or editing.
- When you’re done, you can save the document and close the application.
While the free Word app is quite useful, it still doesn’t beat the original paid version of Microsoft Word for PC. However, the mobile version of the app will come in handy when you don’t have your computer nearby.
No more expensive software
Opening Word documents without having Word installed is quite easy, as our article shows. Now that you know how to do it, you can always access your DOCX files wherever you are. You don’t need to pay a lot of money for a single program or for the entire package.
