LibreOffice Writer is a capable word processor—free, open-source, and feature-rich. But here's the reality: the business world runs on Microsoft Word. When your client, colleague, or committee asks for "the Word document," they mean DOCX. Converting ODT to DOCX ensures your LibreOffice documents work seamlessly in Microsoft's ecosystem without the formatting mishaps that occur when Word tries to interpret ODT files directly.
TL;DR
- Open TinyUtils Document Converter
- Upload your .odt file
- Select DOCX as output
- Download the Word document
Understanding ODT and DOCX
What is ODT?
ODT (Open Document Text) is the native format for LibreOffice Writer and other OpenDocument-compatible applications. It's an ISO-standardized format based on XML, designed for interoperability and long-term document preservation. ODT's open specification means anyone can implement software that reads and writes these files without licensing fees.
ODT offers full word processing capabilities: complex formatting, styles, tables, images, headers and footers, tracked changes, and comments. For users of LibreOffice, Google Docs (which can export to ODT), or any OpenDocument-compliant software, ODT is a natural choice.
What is DOCX?
DOCX is Microsoft Word's native format since Office 2007. Based on Office Open XML (OOXML), it's also an XML-based format wrapped in a ZIP container. While technically an open standard, DOCX is most fully supported by Microsoft Office. It's the format that Word users expect, and the format that most business, legal, and academic contexts assume when someone says "Word document."
DOCX supports all of Word's advanced features: Track Changes with full revision history, comments and threaded discussions, document comparison, mail merge, macros (in .docm variant), and deep integration with Microsoft's ecosystem (OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams).
Why Convert ODT to DOCX?
1. Collaboration with Word Users
Most businesses standardize on Microsoft Office. When you need to share documents with colleagues, clients, or partners who use Word, sending a native DOCX file eliminates compatibility friction. The recipient can open, edit, and save the document without format warnings or unexpected conversion.
2. Cleaner Results Than "Open in Word"
Yes, Microsoft Word can open ODT files directly. But the results are often disappointing: fonts substitute unexpectedly, complex layouts shift, styles don't map correctly, and Track Changes may behave oddly. A proper conversion produces a cleaner DOCX that behaves like a native Word document.
3. Track Changes and Reviewing
LibreOffice supports tracked changes, but Word is where Track Changes tends to behave most predictably. Legal redlining, manuscript editing, and contract negotiation workflows are still very Word-shaped. Converting to DOCX keeps you out of “why is this markup weird?” territory.
4. Professional Expectations
In many professional contexts, DOCX is simply expected. Job applications, government forms, academic submissions, and business proposals often specify Word format. Converting your ODT documents to DOCX meets these expectations without requiring you to abandon LibreOffice as your primary tool.
5. Microsoft 365 Integration
If your organization uses Microsoft 365, documents need to be in DOCX format for full functionality: real-time co-authoring, OneDrive version history, Teams file collaboration, and SharePoint document management all work best with native DOCX files.
What's Preserved in Conversion
A good ODT to DOCX conversion maintains document fidelity:
- Text content — All text transfers accurately, including special characters and Unicode
- Character formatting — Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, fonts, sizes, and colors
- Paragraph formatting — Alignment, indentation, line spacing, and paragraph spacing
- Headings and styles — LibreOffice heading styles map to Word's built-in heading styles
- Lists — Bulleted and numbered lists with proper nesting
- Tables — Row and column structure, cell borders, and basic formatting
- Images — Embedded graphics in common formats
- Hyperlinks — Clickable links remain functional
- Headers and footers — Page-level content transfers
- Page setup — Margins, page size, and orientation
What May Need Attention
Some features may require manual adjustment after conversion:
- Complex page layouts — Multi-column layouts, text boxes, and positioned frames may shift slightly
- Fonts — If the original document uses fonts not available on the target system, substitution occurs
- Macros — LibreOffice Basic macros don't transfer to Word VBA; document content converts, automation doesn't
- Advanced formatting — Some LibreOffice-specific features may simplify during conversion
How to Convert ODT to DOCX
Using TinyUtils Document Converter
- Navigate to TinyUtils Document Converter
- Click the upload area or drag and drop your .odt file
- Select DOCX from the output format dropdown
- Click Convert to process the document
- Download your .docx file
The conversion produces a native DOCX file that opens cleanly in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any DOCX-compatible application.
Batch Conversion
Need to convert an entire folder of ODT documents? Upload multiple files at once. The converter processes each file individually and delivers a ZIP archive containing all your DOCX documents, preserving original filenames.
Common Use Cases
Business Document Sharing
You use LibreOffice; your client uses Word. Converting to DOCX before sending ensures they receive a document that opens perfectly in their environment. No compatibility warnings, no layout surprises, just a professional document ready for their review.
Academic Submission
Many universities, journals, and grant agencies require Word format submissions. Convert your LibreOffice-authored papers, theses, or proposals to DOCX to meet these requirements without retyping or reformatting in Word.
Legal Document Exchange
Legal work often involves document exchange with Track Changes for redlining. Converting ODT to DOCX ensures your contracts, agreements, and briefs integrate into Word-based legal workflows.
Job Applications
When a job posting asks for "resume in Word format," they mean DOCX. Convert your LibreOffice resume to ensure it displays correctly in the hiring manager's Word application and passes through any document parsing systems.
Template Migration
If you're transitioning an organization from LibreOffice to Microsoft 365, converting existing ODT templates to DOCX is the first step. The converted documents serve as the foundation for new Word templates.
After Conversion: Optimization Tips
Review the Document in Word
After conversion, open the DOCX in Word and review for any layout issues. Check that headings are properly styled, tables are intact, and images are positioned correctly. Most documents convert cleanly, but a quick review catches any edge cases.
Update Styles if Needed
LibreOffice and Word use different style names and definitions. If your document relies heavily on custom styles, you may want to remap them to Word's built-in styles (Heading 1, Normal, etc.) for full compatibility with Word features like table of contents generation.
Check Fonts
If the converted document uses fonts that aren't installed on the recipient's system, Word will substitute alternatives. For documents you're sharing externally, consider using common fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri) or embedding fonts in the DOCX.
Enable Track Changes if Needed
If you're sending the document for collaborative editing, enable Track Changes in Word (Review → Track Changes) before sharing. This ensures all edits are marked for later review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not just open ODT directly in Word?
Word can open ODT files, but the import isn't always clean. Fonts may substitute unexpectedly, styles may not map correctly, and complex layouts often shift. Converting through a dedicated tool produces better results because it properly translates between the two format specifications rather than attempting a live interpretation.
What about LibreOffice macros?
LibreOffice uses a different macro language than Word (LibreOffice Basic vs. VBA). Macros don't convert—they're language-specific automation that would need to be rewritten. Document content, formatting, and structure all transfer; automation doesn't.
Can I edit the DOCX afterward?
Absolutely—that's the point. The converted DOCX is a fully editable Word document. You can open it in Word, make changes, save, and share just like any other Word file.
Will Track Changes history convert?
If your ODT document has tracked changes, the revision history may convert to Word's Track Changes format. However, complex revision histories may not transfer perfectly. For documents with extensive tracked changes, review the converted document carefully.
What's the maximum file size I can convert?
The converter handles files up to 50MB, which covers most documents. If you have unusually large documents (typically those with many high-resolution images), consider compressing images before conversion.
Can I convert back to ODT?
Yes, TinyUtils supports bidirectional conversion. If you need to bring a DOCX back into LibreOffice, convert it to ODT. However, for ongoing collaboration, it's generally better to keep one "source" format and convert as needed rather than round-tripping repeatedly.
Why Use an Online Converter?
While LibreOffice can export to DOCX directly, an online converter offers advantages:
- Consistent output — Same conversion quality regardless of your LibreOffice version
- No LibreOffice required — Convert ODT files from any device, even without LibreOffice installed
- Batch processing — Convert multiple files at once, download as ZIP
- Clean conversion — Purpose-built for format translation, often cleaner than "Save As"
- Quick access — Faster than launching LibreOffice for occasional conversions
Ready to Share with Word Users?
Converting ODT to DOCX ensures your LibreOffice documents work seamlessly in Microsoft's ecosystem. Open TinyUtils Document Converter, upload your ODT file, and download a Word document ready for sharing, editing, and collaboration.
Need other format conversions? Check out our guides for ODT to PDF, DOCX to ODT, and ODT to HTML workflows.