What is the DOT file format?
.dot files are used by Microsoft Word versions 97 to 2003. They store document templates - reusable starting points that define text formatting and other document elements, including formal headers, footers, styles, and macros. Templates can be freely edited, customized, or created from scratch.
Like .doc documents, .dot files are saved in binary format using the OLE2 Compound File Binary structure (the same container used by legacy Excel and PowerPoint files). The template is not identified by a different file signature - the magic bytes D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 are shared with .doc, .xls, and .ppt - but by its extension and an internal fTemplate flag set inside the file's FIB (File Information Block). In practice, renaming a .doc to .dot causes Word to treat it as a template.
A key behavior: double-clicking a .dot file normally opens a new unsaved document based on the template rather than the template itself. To edit a .dot file directly, right-click it and choose Open inside Word. Word's own global default template is Normal.dot.
.dot template files were supported by the following versions of Microsoft Word:
- Word 97
- Word 2000
- Word 2002 (XP)
- Word 2003
Starting with Word 2007, Microsoft moved to the Open XML format. Template files now use the .dotx extension (macro-free) or .dotm extension (macro-enabled). Word 2007 and later can still open .dot files without issue.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMThe real risk in .dot files is VBA macros. Because templates run automatically when a document is based on them, malicious .dot/.dotm templates were a classic macro-malware vector ('enable content' phishing), and a poisoned Normal.dot can infect every new document. Modern Word opens templates from email/internet in Protected View with macros disabled - do not enable macros in a template from an untrusted source. Opening in LibreOffice is generally safer because its macro engine differs from Word VBA. The template's text and styles are harmless; only embedded macros and linked objects pose a threat. If Word behaves oddly at startup, a corrupted Normal.dot/Normal.dotm is a common (non-malicious) cause - renaming it forces Word to rebuild a clean one.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open DOT files
Windows3 apps
Microsoft Word
Paid Double-click to create a new document FROM the template. To edit the template itself, right-click > Open, or in Word use File > Open and select the .dot. 
LibreOffice Writer
Open-source Free, full-featured. Opens .dot for editing or as a template; File > Save As to convert to .dotx/.docx/.odt. The best no-cost option. 
WPS Office Writer
Freemium Opens and edits legacy Word templates; the former 'Kingsoft Writer'. Use wps.com, not old kingsoftstore links. 
macOS2 apps
Microsoft Word
Paid Opens .dot the same way as on Windows; double-click for a new document, File > Open to edit the template.
LibreOffice Writer
Open-source Free alternative for Apple silicon and Intel; opens and converts .dot templates. 
Linux1 app
LibreOffice Writer
Open-source Preinstalled on most distros; double-click to open the .dot, or use File > Templates to manage it. 
Android1 app
Microsoft Word (mobile)
Freemium Install Word for Android; tap the file to view/edit. Editing is free on small-screen devices. 
Google Docs
Free Upload the .dot to Google Drive and open with Google Docs; it imports as an editable document (template behavior is not preserved). Download back as .docx. Technical details
deep spec| Container format | OLE2 Compound File Binary (CFBF) - the same structured-storage container as legacy .doc, .xls, and .ppt files |
| Encoding | Binary; text content stored as Windows code-page encoding or UTF-16 LE depending on the document |
| Byte order | Little-endian (required by the OLE2 specification) |
| MIME type | application/msword (also application/x-msword or application/vnd.ms-word.template.macroEnabled) |
| File signature (magic bytes) | D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 at offset 0 - identical to .doc, .xls, and .ppt (the OLE2 signature, not unique to .dot) |
| Template identification | fTemplate bit set in the FIB (File Information Block); extension alone also triggers template behavior in Word |
| Internal streams | WordDocument, 1Table/0Table, Data, and SummaryInformation streams; optional VBA Macros storage sub-directory |
| Macro support | Full VBA macro support via an embedded VBA storage sub-directory inside the OLE2 container |
| Compression | None - streams are stored uncompressed within the OLE2 compound file |
| Encryption | Optional RC4 ("Office 97/2000" scheme) applied when the file is password-protected |
| Typical file size | 20 KB - 2 MB, depending on embedded content, images, and macros |
| Opening behavior | Double-clicking creates a new unsaved document based on the template; to edit the template itself, right-click and choose Open |
| Global template | Word's default global template is stored as Normal.dot (replaced by Normal.dotm starting with Word 2007) |
| Supported Word versions | Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002 (XP), Word 2003 - uses nFib-based FIB versioning to distinguish these releases |
| Successor formats | .dotx (macro-free Open XML template) and .dotm (macro-enabled Open XML template), introduced in Word 2007 |
| Released | 1997 (Word 97); template concept dates back to early Word, OLE-based .dot from Word 97-2003 |
| Latest version | Word 97-2003 binary template (final; superseded by DOTX/DOTM in Office 2007) |
| Specification | learn.microsoft.com |
DOT conversions
Community Q&A
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