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What is DocX?

DocX is a .NET library that allows developers to manipulate Word 2007/2010/2013 files, in an easy and intuitive manner. DocX is fast, lightweight and best of all it does not require Microsoft Word or Office to be installed.

Install via Nuget

Install-Package DocX

DocX Author

DocX is the free, open source version of Xceed Words for .NET. Originally written by Cathal Coffey, and maintained by Przemyslaw Klys, it is now maintained by Xceed.

Currently, the only difference between DocX and Xceed Words for .NET, is that Xceed Words for .NET can convert a Word document to PDF, and has professional technical support included in the subscription.

What else do I need?

All that you need to install in order to use DocX is the .NET framework 4.0 and Visual Studio 2010 or later, both of which are free.

What are the main features of DocX?

1. Insert, Remove or Replace text in a document.
   All standard text formatting is available:
   1. Font {Family, Size, Color},
   2. Bold,
   3. Italic,
   4. Underline,
   5. Strikethrough,
   6. Script {Sub, Super},
   7. Highlight
2. Here’s a cool example of replacing text across many documents in Parallel
3. Paragraph properties are exposed:
   1. Direction LeftToRight or RightToLeft,
   2. Indentation,
   3. Alignment
4. DocX also supports:
   1. Pictures,
   2. Hyperlinks,
   3. Tables,
   4. Headers & Footers,
   5. Custom Properties

Why would I use DocX?

DocX makes creating and manipulating documents a simple task. It does not use COM libraries nor does it require Microsoft Office to be installed.

The following blog post from Cathal Coffey compares the code used to create a HelloWorld document using:

1. Office Interop libraries,
2. OOXML SDK,
3. DocX

How can I learn more?

Cathal Coffey’s blog contains some code examples . The below videos are also excellent tutorials on how to use DocX.

Advanced Examples

1. Step by step guide to create an invoice for a company. http://cathalscorner.blogspot.com/2009/08/docx-v1007-released.html
2. Replace text across many documents in Parallel. http://cathalscorner.blogspot.com/2010/12/replace-text-across-many-documents-in.html
3. Programmatically manipulate an Image imbedded inside a document. http://cathalscorner.blogspot.com/2010/12/programmatically-manipulate-image.html
4. Converting DocX into (.doc, .pdf, .html) http://cathalscorner.blogspot.com/2009/10/converting-docx-into-doc-pdf-html.html

Do you have an interesting or informative example that you would like to share? If you do, please email me.

What do other people think?

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