You have to deal with a lot of DOC or DOCX documents but don’t have Microsoft Word installed on your personal computer or laptop? Of course, using the well-known online editors Word Online or Google Docs might be the solution to this problem. However, there are many other free alternatives that are worth giving a go. In this article, you are going to learn how or edit Word documents right in your browser without downloading and installing anything.
GroupDocs.Editor
GroupDocs.Editor is an online document editor that forms part of the Group.Docs project. The project allows you to perform various operations on your files with the help of a set of free cross-platform applications. The most distinctive features of the editor are a simple interface, which makes it easy to edit documents quickly, and data security.
GroupDocs.Editor is designed for editing DOC, DOCX, DOCM, DOT, DOTX, DOTM, RTF, TXT, ODT, OTT formats, which makes it compatible with Word documents. Using this app, you can work online on all popular platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The biggest advantage of this app is that no registration is needed, so it’s ideal for quick document editing.
Step 1. Upload a Word document by clicking inside the file drop area or just drag & drop it.
Step 2. Edit the document using a simple set of editing and formatting tools.
Step 3. Click the Save document button on the File tab.
Step 3. Download the edited file.
ScanWritr
ScanWritr is an online editor that is intended for use at home, educational establishments and companies. It allows you to use any device connected to the internet so you can work on documents on any PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone. ScanWritr is compatible with all popular formats making it possible to edit files created with Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, etc. PDF, BMP, JPEG, PNG, and GIF are supported, too.
ScanWritr can be used for editing documents of different types. It has a minimalistic interface and very simple functionality that allows you to add annotations and signatures, use a pen or a marker, insert images and fill out the blanks in your document using the writing tool. However, you can’t edit the existing text. All these features are accessible without registration.
Step 1. Choose your Word document from the local files or import it from Google Drive or Dropbox.
Step 2. Edit the document.
Step 3. Download the document as PDF.
Calmly Writer Online
Calmly Writer Online offers a very simple interface and doesn’t look like a traditional word processor with plenty of formatting and editing tools. Its minimalistic approach to document editing helps you to focus on the thoughts that you want to get across. As soon as you start typing, all the options that might distract you immediately disappear from the user interface allowing you to concentrate on writing.
The app provides basic editing and formatting features, smart punctuation, focus mode and word counting. It supports DOCX and HTML files and allows you to import to PDF. All the information is stored in your browser, which makes this solution privacy-friendly. You don’t need to register to use Calmly Writer Online.
Step 1. Click the icon in the upper left corner and choose Open.
Step 2. Choose a local file or import from Google Drive.
Step 3. Edit the document.
Step 4. Save the document by choosing the corresponding option in the main menu.
Zoho Writer
In comparison with the previous options, Zoho Writer is a more powerful online word processor available on all your devices. Using this app, you can open and edit your Microsoft Word documents and save your Writer documents as DOCX, PDF, and other popular file formats. However, you need to create an account or log in via Google or Facebook.
Zoho Writer comes with a full set of formatting and editing tools. Moreover, it allows you to edit documents online and share them with other people and view their edits in real-time. The app also lets you track other people’s changes to your documents online and their comments. When sharing a document, you can also lock certain parts of the document to prevent accidental editing.
Step 1. Click File in the upper left corner and choose Upload document.
Step 2. Browse or drag & drop your Word document.
Step 3. Edit the document.
Step 4. Click File again and select Download as.
Step 5. Choose Microsoft Office (.docx).
ONLYOFFICE Personal
ONLYOFFICE Personal is a web-based office suite that includes three editors for creating and editing text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Equipped with a document management system, the solution allows you to create a personal working environment in the cloud where you can synchronize and store files from Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, Nextcloud, ownCloud, kDrive, and other storages via the WebDAV. ONLYOFFICE Personal requires creating an account or logging in via Google, Facebook or LinkedIn.
The ONLYOFFICE editors offer an intuitive tabbed interface and are completely compatible with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files due to their native support of the OOXML formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX). Other popular formats are supported, too. The app allows you to edit documents in your browser using a vast array of formatting and styling features. Also, you can share documents with others and collaborate on them in real-time. Two co-editing modes, version history, track changes, and a built-in chat make online collaboration easy.
Step 1. Click the icon near the Create button in the top left corner and choose Upload files.
Step 2. Select your Word document.
Step 3. Click the uploaded document and start editing.
Step 4. Go to the File tab and click Download as.
Step 5. Choose the required format (DOCX).