Office .doc file can not be read or edited

Jodia Morehead · Jan 20, 2018, 4:43 AM

I have a .doc file that I need to seriously open.

I get a screen with garbage when I open it with Notepad++.

I was under the empression that I could even open executable files Notepad++?

This is a Microsoft 97-2003 .doc file.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

MAPJe71 · Jan 20, 2018, 5:20 AM

@Jodia-Morehead you can open executable files with Notepad++ but it will just show a bunch of garbage.
You should use Microsoft Word, Apache OpenOffice Writer or LibreOffice Writer to edit document files.

Carnaxus · Feb 7, 2018, 8:43 PM

Word’s .doc files have a LOT of hidden code and formatting garbage that Notepad++ doesn’t omit from your view. The entire file saves its formatting this way. I think it’s a little better with the modern .docx files, but I’m not sure.

Gogo Neatza · Feb 9, 2018, 10:00 AM

Try first Windows Accessories - WordPad (a.k.a. Write).
It can open , edit, print doc or docx files.

If WordPad is not good enough you should follow MAPJe71’s advice or
find another computer with Microsoft Office (2003, 2007 or better).