O365 Convert Word Docs to Another Format - Convert a folder of Word Document to Another Format (Updated Oct 2026)


Description:
O365 Convert Word Docs to Another Format converts a whole folder of documents in one go, using the copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer. It reads DOCX, DOCM, DOC, DOTX, DOTM, DOT, PDF, XPS, HTM, HTML, RTF, TXT and XML files and saves them as any of those formats, so you can bring old .doc files up to date, turn a folder of reports into PDFs, or pull the plain text out of a set of documents.

Subfolders are included, and the converted files keep the same folder layout in the save location, so two documents with the same name in different folders never overwrite each other. Your original files are opened read-only and are never changed. The conversion runs in the background, so the window stays responsive and you can cancel at any time.

How to use:


1. Next to Documents Location, click Browse for Folder and choose the folder that holds the documents you want to convert. You can also type or paste the folder path into the box.

2. Next to Save Location, click Browse for Folder and choose where the converted files should be saved. The folder is created for you if it doesn't exist yet.

3. In Convert document(s) from, pick the type of file to convert (for example .doc). Only files of that type are converted; everything else in the folder is left alone.

4. In Convert document(s) to, pick the new format (for example .docx or .pdf). The line underneath confirms what will happen, for example "Converting documents from .doc to .docx".

5. Click Convert Now. Click Cancel to stop after the file being converted.

6. Current File shows the document being converted and Current Operation shows progress, for example "Converting 3 of 12". When it finishes, it reports how many files were converted. Any file that can't be converted (for example a password-protected document) is listed by name, and the rest are still converted.

Note: This tool uses your installed copy of Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 or Office), so Word needs to be installed on the computer.


What You Can Do With This Program

Potential Uses for O365 Convert Word Docs to Another Format Tool:

• Standardizing Document Formats for Archiving and Sharing:
  
  • Convert older Word document formats (like .DOC) to modern, more stable, and universally compatible formats like .DOCX or .PDF for long-term archiving and easier sharing across different systems and users.
  
  
  • Ensure all documents within a project or department adhere to a specific format standard (e.g., all final reports as PDFs).
  
  
  
  
• Preparing Documents for Web Publishing:
  
  • Batch convert Word documents to .HTM or .HTML formats, making them ready for quick upload and display on websites or intranets, often without needing extensive reformatting.
  
  
  
  
• Creating Read-Only or Secure Versions (PDF/XPS):
  
  • Convert multiple Word documents into .PDF or .XPS files to create non-editable versions for distribution, ensuring consistent formatting across all viewing devices and preventing unauthorized modifications.
  
  
  • This is ideal for invoices, contracts, reports, or educational materials.
  
  
  
  
• Enabling Data Extraction and Text Processing:
  
  • Convert documents to .TXT format to easily extract plain text for data analysis, search indexing, or input into other text-based applications where formatting is irrelevant.
  
  
  • Convert to .XML for structured data extraction or integration with other systems that process XML.
  
  
  
  
• Facilitating Cross-Platform Compatibility:
  
  • Ensure documents are viewable on systems or software that may not have Microsoft Word installed or that handle specific Word versions poorly, by converting them to more universally supported formats like RTF, TXT, HTML, or PDF.
  
  
  
  
• Migrating Document Libraries:
  
  • When migrating large document libraries or legacy systems, this tool can batch convert documents to a new preferred format, streamlining the transition process.
  
  
  
  
• Reducing File Sizes for Specific Formats:
  
  • While Word documents are relatively compact, converting to formats like TXT or simplified HTML can sometimes result in even smaller file sizes, which can be beneficial for specific storage or transfer needs.