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MS Word

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high importance⚡ 10 shortcuts4 subtopics
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File types and defaults

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⏱ 4 min read🧩 5 question types🎯 12 practice Q
The idea in one minute

A file extension is the dot and letters at the end of a file name. .docx is the default Word format since 2007. .doc is the old 97-2003 format. The letter m means macro and t means template. The X in the new names stands for XML.

01

Why extensions matter

Every file name ends in a dot and a few letters. This is the extension. It tells Windows which program opens the file and which format holds the data. Exams test the default format, the old format and the special formats.

02

The Word extension family

ExtensionMeaning
.docxDefault Word document from Word 2007 onwards. Office Open XML format
.docWord 97-2003 format
.docmMacro-enabled document
.dotxTemplate
.dotmMacro-enabled template
.pdfFixed print-ready file. Word can Export or Save As PDF
.rtfRich Text Format. Keeps simple formatting and opens in many editors
.odtOpenDocument Text, used by free office suites
.txtPlain text only. No formatting
03

The X rule

From Office 2007, every Office program moved to Office Open XML. The new extensions gained an X.

  • Word: .doc becomes .docx
  • Excel: .xls becomes .xlsx
  • PowerPoint: .ppt becomes .pptx

If two options differ only by the X, the one with X is the modern default. The plain one is the 97-2003 file.

Rule: A last letter m means macro-enabled (docm, xlsm, pptm). A last letter t in dotx means template.

04

Facts about formats

  • Word 2003 cannot open .docx directly. Microsoft released a Compatibility Pack to help.
  • Save As (F12) lets you pick a format. The default format can be changed under File, Options, Save.
  • PDF is the best choice when a document must look the same on every computer and printer.
  • .rtf and .odt open outside Microsoft Office too.
  • A template (.dotx) opens as a fresh untitled copy. This protects the original design.
  • .txt loses bold, italic, fonts and pictures. Only characters survive.
05

Word defaults in one place

SettingDefault
New file nameDocument1
FontCalibri 11 (2007 to 2021), Aptos 12 (Microsoft 365, from 2023)
AlignmentLeft
Line spacing1.08 lines with 8 pt after (Word 2013 onwards)
ViewPrint Layout
OrientationPortrait
Paper sizeA4 (Letter on US installs)
Normal templateNormal.dotm

Tip: Word 2003 used Times New Roman 12. Calibri 11 is the most asked answer.

06

Saving a file

  • Save is Ctrl+S. The first save asks for a name and a place.
  • Save As is F12. It makes a copy under a new name or in a new format.
  • AutoSave and AutoRecover keep a backup copy while you work. They help after a power cut.
  • A read-only file can be opened but not changed under the same name.
  • A password can be set under File, Info, Protect Document.
07

Question types you will see

Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.

Type 1very common3 practice Q

Default extension of a Word file

How to spot it:

The question asks for the default or current extension of a Word document.

Method

  1. The modern default is .docx (Word 2007 onwards).

  2. The X means Office Open XML.

  3. The old format is .doc (97-2003).

  4. Use the same X rule for Excel and PowerPoint.

Why it works:

One rule answers Word, Excel and PowerPoint questions.

Try this

The default file extension of a Word 2016 document is:

Show solution

  1. Word 2016 is newer than 2007.

  2. So the extension has an X.

Answer

.docx

Type 2very common2 practice Q

doc vs docx legacy trap

How to spot it:

The question asks which format the older Word 97-2003 used.

Method

  1. The X-less name is the older format.

  2. Older Word could not open .docx without the Compatibility Pack.

  3. .docx files are also smaller because they use XML parts.

Why it works:

The options show doc and docx side by side, and only the X tells them apart.

Try this

Which file format was used by Word 97-2003?

Show solution

  1. That era is before Office 2007.

  2. Formats before 2007 have no X.

Answer

.doc

Type 3common2 practice Q

Template and macro extensions

How to spot it:

The question gives a description and asks for dotx, dotm or docm.

Method

  1. Template is .dotx. Macro-enabled document is .docm.

  2. Macro-enabled template is .dotm.

  3. The letter m means macro. The letter t means template.

Why it works:

Two letters carry all the meaning.

Try this

A Word file saved with macros enabled carries which extension?

Show solution

  1. The file is a document.

  2. It also has macros, so the last letter is m.

Answer

.docm

Type 4common3 practice Q

Export and cross-software formats

How to spot it:

The question asks for the format that looks the same on every computer, or the plain-text format.

Method

  1. PDF has a fixed layout and prints the same everywhere.

  2. .rtf keeps basic formatting and opens in many editors.

  3. .odt is used by free office suites. .txt keeps no formatting.

  4. Change the format with Save As (F12).

Why it works:

Each format solves a sharing problem.

Try this

Ravi wants his resume to look exactly the same on any computer or printer. He should save it as:

Show solution

  1. He needs a fixed layout.

  2. The fixed-layout format is PDF.

Answer

PDF

Type 5occasional

Word defaults and Document1

How to spot it:

The question asks for a default such as the first file name or normal template.

Method

  1. New file name is Document1.

  2. Normal template is Normal.dotm.

  3. Default view is Print Layout and orientation is portrait.

Why it works:

Defaults are small facts and are asked in single-line questions.

Try this

What is the name of the default template file in MS Word?

Show solution

  1. Every new document is based on one template.

  2. It is the Normal template, and it allows macros.

Answer

Normal.dotm

08

Shortcuts that save time

⚡ X means XML, 2007 and later

docx, xlsx and pptx are all 2007 and later. The three-letter doc, xls and ppt are 97-2003. The X stands for XML.

Example

Which extension belongs to an Excel 97-2003 workbook?

Show solution

  1. The 2007 and later format has an X.

  2. The older format has no X.

Answer

.xls

⚡ Font eras

Word 2003 used Times New Roman 12. Word 2007 to 2021 use Calibri 11. Microsoft 365 from 2023 uses Aptos 12.

09

Mistakes to avoid

Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.

Mistake 01

Saying .doc is the default Word format today.

The default since Word 2007 is .docx.

Mistake 02

Thinking a macro document ends in .docx.

A macro-enabled document ends in .docm.

Mistake 03

Confusing .dotx with .docm.

Dotx is a template. Docm is a macro-enabled document.

Mistake 04

Saving a file as .txt and expecting bold text.

Plain text keeps only characters.

Mistake 05

Assuming Word 2003 opens .docx by itself.

It needs the Compatibility Pack.

10

Quick revision

Read this the night before the exam.

  • Default: .docx (Word 2007 onwards). Old format: .doc (97-2003).

  • m means macro: .docm document, .dotm template. .dotx is a plain template.

  • PDF keeps a fixed layout. .rtf and .odt work outside Office. .txt has no formatting.

  • The X rule: docx, xlsx and pptx are all 2007+ formats.

  • Word 2003 opens .docx only with the Compatibility Pack.

  • A template opens as a fresh untitled copy.

  • F12 is Save As. Normal template is Normal.dotm. New file name is Document1.

11

Practice: 12 questions

Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.

Topic test · 12 questions

Suggested time 6 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.

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