How-to
How to open and edit a DOCX file on a Chromebook
The short answer
Open the file from the Files app and Chromebook offers Google Docs or Google Drive. For a private, no-account option, open Wrdio in Chrome, drop the .docx onto it and press Edit. Save a copy as DOCX or PDF from the File menu.
A Chromebook is built around the browser, so it is a good fit for online document tools. The "cannot open" message people see usually just means the Chromebook does not know which app to use. Here is how to get a DOCX open, quickly.
Option 1: Google Docs
- Open the Files app and double-click the .docx.
- Choose Google Docs or Open with Google Drive when asked.
- Edit, then use File, Download, Microsoft Word (.docx) to get a copy back.
The document is stored in your Google account while you work on it.
Option 2: Wrdio, without an account
- Open Chrome and go to the Wrdio home page.
- Drop the file onto the page, or press Choose file and pick it from Downloads.
- Press Edit to change it. The editor downloads about 9 MB the first time.
- Save with File, Export, DOCX or PDF.
Your file is read in the browser tab and is not uploaded. That makes it a good fit for private documents. See how to edit a DOCX online for the details.
Option 3: Word in the browser
Microsoft's browser version of Word works in Chrome with a Microsoft account. It is the closest look to desktop Word, and files are stored in OneDrive.
Fixing the "cannot open" message
- Check the ending. The file should end in .docx. Old .doc files need Google Docs or another converter.
- Wait for the download. A half-finished download can look like a normal file.
- Pick the app. Right-click the file, choose Open with, and select an app.
- Free up space. A nearly full Chromebook can fail to open large files.
Offline use. Google Docs can work offline if you turn that setting on in advance. Wrdio needs a connection the first time it loads the editor.
Comparing choices? Read Microsoft Word alternatives that open .docx files.
Questions people ask
Can a Chromebook open a DOCX file?
Yes. It opens DOCX in Google Docs, in Microsoft's browser Word, or in a browser tool such as Wrdio.
Why can't I open Word documents on my Chromebook?
Usually the file is still uploading, it is an old DOC file, or it needs a handler app. Try opening it from Files, or in a browser tool.
Can I use Microsoft Word on a Chromebook?
You can use Word in the browser with a Microsoft account, or the Android app on supported devices. A browser tool needs no account.
Where do my edited files go?
Downloads from Chrome go to the Downloads folder in the Files app.