How to Edit Word Docs Without Microsoft Word

OpenOffice.org Writer is capable of opening and editing Word documents.

If you do not have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use a free alternative like WordPad or OpenOffice. You can edit simple Microsoft Word documents using WordPad. This program was installed automatically with your Windows operating system and is ideal for editing documents that do not have extensive formatting. More complex documents with tables, word art or photos should be altered using a more sophisticated word processing program like OpenOffice.org Writer. OpenOffice.org can also open both .doc and .docx files.

Things You'll Need

• OpenOffice.org Writer or WordPad

Instructions

Editing Word Documents in WordPad

1. Click the "Start" button and select "Programs," "Accessories" and then "WordPad" to launch WordPad.

2. Select "File" and then "Open" from the menu at the top of the WordPad window.

3. Select the "All Documents" option and locate the Word file you want to open. Click on the file name and select "Open." Some Word files can be opened successfully, but if your Word files are full of tables, charts or word art you will need to use OpenOffice.org Writer as described in Section 3. If you need to install OpenOffice.org Writer see Section 2.

Installing OpenOffice.org If You Haven't Already

1. Launch your favorite browser and surf to Openoffice.org.

2. Click on the "I want to download OpenOffice.org" link. Click on the "Start downloading OpenOffice.org" link.

3. Click the "Save File" button when prompted. Save the OpenOffice.org file to your desktop.

4. Click on the OpenOffice.org file that is located on your desktop to begin the installation process.

5. Click on the "Next" button when the installation window pops up. Click on "Unpack." OpenOffice will begin to unpack all of the installation files and save them to a single folder.

6. Enter your name in the "User Name" box and add a company in the "Organization" box if applicable. Select the "OK" button.

7. Select the "Typical" option for your setup type. Click "Next" and then "Install."

8. Click "Finish." This will close the installation wizard.

Opening Word Documents in OpenOffice.org

1. Click the "Start" button on your desktop. Click on "Programs" and locate the "OpenOffice.org" name. Select the "OpenOffice.org Writer" program.

2. Select "File" from the menu at the top of the Writer window. Choose "Open."

3. Locate the Word file you want to open and click on the file name. Click "Open."