What is DOT? Word Template (Legacy) Explained
DOT is the legacy binary Microsoft Word template format used before the Office 2007 XML formats.
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What is DOT?
DOT is the legacy template format for Microsoft Word, used in versions prior to Office 2007. It stores styles, page layout, boilerplate text and settings that act as a reusable starting point for creating new documents.
DOT files use Word's older binary file structure rather than XML. Opening a DOT normally creates a new document based on the template. In Office 2007 it was superseded by the XML-based DOTX and macro-enabled DOTM formats.
How a DOT Template Works
DOT uses Word's compound-binary (OLE structured storage) container, the same underlying format as the DOC document, but is designated a template so that opening it creates a new document based on its styles, layout, and boilerplate.[2] Word's global Normal.dot template historically supplied default styles and settings for all new documents.[3]
History and Succession
DOT belongs to the binary Word format family used from the 1990s through Office 2003, before the 2007 transition to Office Open XML.[3] It was superseded by the XML-based DOTX template and the macro-enabled DOTM, splitting the old single binary template into macro-free and macro-bearing variants.[1]
Macros and Limitations
Because the compound-binary format could embed VBA macros, DOT templates were a common malware vector, and macro viruses targeting the global template were widespread in the late 1990s.[2] Modern Word still opens DOT files for compatibility, but the opaque binary structure is harder to inspect than the later ZIP-and-XML templates.[1]
MKV Technical Specifications
DOT vs Other Document Formats
| Feature | DOT | DOTX | DOC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure/type | Binary template[2] | Zipped XML template | Binary document |
| Role | Template[1] | Template | Document |
| Editable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standardized by | Microsoft[3] | ECMA / ISO | Microsoft |
| Open/proprietary | Proprietary[2] | Open (vendor-led) | Proprietary |
| Best for | Legacy templates | Modern templates | Legacy documents |
DOT is the legacy binary Word template format, superseded by the XML-based DOTX in newer Office versions.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
A DOT template captures styles, layout and boilerplate so new documents begin with a consistent structure.
As an old Word format, DOT opens in essentially all versions of Word and many compatible editors.
Unlike the newer DOTX, the legacy DOT format could store VBA macros directly in the template.
Disadvantages
DOT is a legacy binary format replaced by DOTX and DOTM, and modern features may not be fully supported.
Because DOT can contain macros, files from untrusted sources carry the same risks as other macro-bearing documents.
Common Use Cases
DOT is mainly encountered with older documents and template libraries.
Legacy template libraries | FileFormer
Older organizations may still hold DOT templates created in Word 97-2003.
Standardized documents | FileFormer
Companies historically distributed DOT files for letters, reports and forms.
Conversion to modern formats | FileFormer
DOT files are often converted to DOTX to remain usable in current Word.
Convert DOT Files Free
Use our free online document converter to convert DOT and other formats - no signup, no watermarks.
Try Document Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DOT and DOTX?
DOT is the legacy binary Word template used before Office 2007, while DOTX is the modern Office Open XML template. DOTX uses ZIP-and-XML packaging and, unlike DOT, cannot store macros.
Can modern Word open DOT files?
Yes. Current versions of Word open legacy DOT templates and let you save them in the modern DOTX or DOTM format for continued use with newer features.
Is a DOT file a document?
No. A DOT file is a template, not a finished document. It provides the styles, layout and boilerplate used to create new Word files, which are saved as DOC or DOCX.
How do I convert DOT to DOTX?
Open the DOT file in Word and use Save As, choosing Word Template (.dotx). This stores the design in the modern Office Open XML template format.