What is the HWT file format?
An .hwt file is a document template for Hancom Hanword (HWP) - the dominant word processor in South Korea, used extensively in government, education, and business. Like a Microsoft Word .dotx template, creating a new document from an .hwt template copies the formatting, page setup, paragraph styles, headers/footers, and boilerplate content into the new document without modifying the original.
The binary format is built on an OLE2 (Compound Document) container - the same CFBF structure used by older Microsoft Office formats - with compressed HWP streams inside. The file begins with the standard .hwp magic string HWP Document File at offset 0 (17 bytes); a flag in the internal FileHeader stream distinguishes template type from a regular document.
Document streams inside the OLE2 container are zlib-compressed under the HWP 5.0 format (standardised 2014). Key streams include DocInfo (global document settings), BodyText (paragraph and section definitions), and master-page and style information. Fonts, paragraph styles, page dimensions, and grid settings are all preserved in the template.
The newer XML-based equivalent is .hwtx, supported by Hancom Office 2014 and later as a more open alternative. Hancom has published a partial HWP specification; LibreOffice Writer can open .hwt files via its HWP import filter, though fidelity to complex templates may be limited. The .hwt format should not be confused with Huawei Emotion UI theme packages, which share the same extension but are unrelated ZIP-based archives.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMHWT files are binary document templates and can contain macros (HWP macro language similar to VBA). Hanword opens untrusted .hwt files with macro execution disabled by default in modern versions. The main safety concern is phishing via official-looking Korean government templates - verify the source before filling in sensitive personal information. Hancom has patched several historic vulnerabilities in the HWP format (particularly targeted in APT attacks against South Korean organizations), so keep Hancom Office updated.
Format details
in a nutshell- Huawei Emotion UI Theme (HWT) - Huawei smartphones (Emotion UI / EMUI) use .hwt for device theme packages - typically a ZIP-based archive containing UI resources; unrelated to Hancom Hanword.
Programs that open HWT files
Windows3 apps
LibreOffice Writer
Open-source LibreOffice has partial HWP import support (File > Open > .hwt). Formatting fidelity varies; basic text and styles usually import correctly. 
Hancom Office Hanword
Paid Double-click the .hwt to open in Hanword, which treats it as a template - a new document is created based on the template. Native app for full fidelity.
Hancom Office for Home & Student
Paid Consumer edition of Hancom Office - opens .hwt templates as new documents with full HWP formatting. 
macOS2 apps
LibreOffice Writer
Open-source Partial HWP/HWT import on macOS; adequate for basic reading of template content. 
Linux1 app
LibreOffice Writer
Open-source Best available option on Linux - HWP import filter reads .hwt files, though fidelity for complex templates is limited. 
Android1 app
Hancom Office (Android)
Freemium Mobile edition of Hancom Office for Android; can open HWP/HWT documents for reading and limited editing. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | Binary |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Container | OLE2 (Compound Binary File Format / CFBF) - same container structure used by older Microsoft Office formats |
| Magic bytes | 48 57 50 20 44 6F 63 75 6D 65 6E 74 20 46 69 6C 65 - ASCII HWP Document File at offset 0 |
| Compression | zlib / DEFLATE on HWP document streams (HWP 5.0 format, standardised 2014) |
| Encryption | Optional - password-based encryption supported on HWP/HWT files |
| Typical size | 20 KB - 5 MB (template with embedded styles, fonts, and optional images) |
| Internal format version | HWP 5.0 (current, defined 2014); older templates may use HWP 3.x (pre-OLE2 binary format) |
| Template flag | Set in the FileHeader OLE2 stream; the magic bytes are identical to .hwp document files |
| Key streams | FileHeader, DocInfo (global settings), BodyText/Section (paragraph structure), PrvText, PrvImage |
| Template behaviour | Opens as a new untitled document copy; the original .hwt file is not modified on open |
| Successor format | .hwtx - XML-based Hanword template introduced with HWP 5.0 (2014); more open and inspectable |
| Platform | Primarily Windows; macOS via Hancom Office for Mac; limited Android and iOS support |
| Third-party support | LibreOffice Writer reads .hwt via its HWP import filter; fidelity to complex templates may be limited |
| Released | 1990s (Hanword; exact .hwt version introduction circa Hanword 97 / Hancom Office era) |
| Latest version | Current through Hancom Office 2024 (HWP/HWT format; last major revision 2014 with HWP 5.0) |
| Specification | www.hancom.com |
HWT conversions
Community Q&A
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