DOCX

Summary

The DOCX skill reads and generates Word (.docx) files by operating on the underlying ZIP/XML structure (for example word/document.xml and word/styles.xml). It models runs (<w:r>), paragraphs (<w:p>), sections, and headers/footers so consumers avoid incorrect assumptions about text blocks, layout, and per-section pagination. The skill distinguishes reusable named styles versus inline direct formatting (including linked styles), enabling style cleanup and predictable formatting. It understands complex numbering (abstractNum, num, num, numId), list indentation and restart behavior, and separate numbering for bullets and numbers. It preserves and interprets revision markup and comments (<w:del>, tracked changes, commentRangeStart/end) and handles fields and cached results (TOC, page numbers, DATE, cross-references) that require updating. Typical use cases: template-driven document generation, programmatic report creation or merging, format cleanup, migration and cross-platform compatibility while retaining metadata and layout fidelity.

Structure

DOCX is a ZIP containing XML files—word/document.xml has main content, word/styles.xml has styles
Text splits into runs (<w:r>)—each run has uniform formatting; one word may span multiple runs
Paragraphs (<w:p>) contain runs—never assume one paragraph = one text block
Sections control page layout—headers/footers, margins, orientation are per-section

Styles vs Direct Formatting

Styles (Heading 1, Normal) are named and reusable—direct formatting is inline and overrides style
Removing direct formatting reveals underlying style—useful for cleanup
Character styles apply to runs, paragraph styles to paragraphs—they layer together
Linked styles can be both—applying to paragraph or selected text behaves differently

Lists & Numbering

Numbering is complex: abstractNum defines pattern, num references it, paragraphs reference numId
Restart numbering not automatic—need explicit <w:numPr> with restart flag
Bullets and numbers share the numbering system—both use numId
Indentation controlled separately from numbering—list can exist without visual indent

Headers, Footers, Sections

Each section can have different headers/footers—first page, odd, even pages
Section breaks: next page, continuous, even/odd page—affects pagination
Headers/footers stored in separate XML files—referenced by section properties
Page numbers are fields, not static text—update on open or print

Track Changes & Comments

Track changes stores original and revised in same document—accept/reject to finalize
Deleted text still present with <w:del> wrapper—don't assume visible = all content
Comments reference ranges via bookmark IDs—<w:commentRangeStart> to <w:commentRangeEnd>
Revision IDs track who changed what—metadata persists even after accepting

Fields & Dynamic Content

Fields have code and cached result—{ DATE \@ "yyyy-MM-dd" } vs displayed date
TOC, page numbers, cross-references are fields—update fields to refresh
Hyperlinks can be fields or direct <w:hyperlink>—both valid
MERGEFIELD for mail merge—placeholder until merge executes

Compatibility

Compatibility mode limits features to earlier Word version—check w:compat settings
LibreOffice/Google Docs: complex formatting may shift—test roundtrip
Embedded fonts may not transfer—fallback fonts substitute
DOCM contains macros (security risk); DOC is legacy binary format

Common Pitfalls

Empty paragraphs for spacing—prefer space before/after in paragraph style
Manual page breaks inside paragraphs—use section breaks for layout control
Images in headers: relationship IDs are per-part—same image needs separate relationship in header
Copy-paste brings source styles—can pollute style gallery with duplicates

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