Open Microsoft Word docx file with Java

Question

How can I open a Microsoft Word docx file in Java? furthermore, how can I open it if it is password protected?

For instance,

File f = new File("hello.docx");

Please try to avoid responding with things such as "you shouldn't do this." I have a good reason for this, so please stick to the question when you answer. thanks a lot!

Use POI (http://poi.apache.org) or docx4j (http://www.docx4java.org/trac/docx4j/) — Colin D, Apr 25 '12 at 17:43

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:42

6

There is Apache POI project for working with MS Office files. DOCX file is just a zip file with series of XML files inside, so you can unzip the file and work with XML. The XML spec (Open XML) is known.

answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:42

Piotr Kochański

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Sadly Apache POI doesn't handle tables, headers, or Images very easily. Docx4J is a little more robust. – yams Sep 22 '14 at 14:28

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:40

3

I haven't personally used it, but it looks like Apache POI will work for you: http://poi.apache.org/

answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:40

Dan W

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I would also Recommend POI. If you want to read/write the file, then its the best Apache License 2.0 library available(or to which I came across) – Ashish Agarwal Apr 25 '12 at 17:46
Can you show example code for reading word doc with password? – CodeGuy Apr 25 '12 at 18:03
@CodeGuy I'm not going to do that research for you. I simply google'd your question and found this project. As I stated above, I have not used it personally. – Dan W Apr 25 '12 at 18:07

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:51

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You can use docx4j too. http://www.docx4java.org/trac/docx4j

answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:51

Edgar Muniz Berlinck

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You can read the http://www.docx4java.org/svn/docx4j/trunk/docx4j/docs/Docx4j_GettingStarted.html. You can find alot of examples there. – Edgar Muniz Berlinck Apr 25 '12 at 18:05
With docx4j 2.8.0 snapshot, it is just OpcPackage.load(new java.io.File("some.docx"), "password123") – JasonPlutext Apr 26 '12 at 16:02

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 02 '12 at 17:26

I have used both docx4j and Apache's POI libraries, if you are working with .docx I would recommend .docx4j. Automated alot of the process of creating a .docx.
There is a great exmaple here : http://java.dzone.com/articles/create-complex-word-docx on how to create a .docx using the docx4j package.

JasonPlutext · Answer 5 · 2012-04-26T14:25:27.923

If the docx is password protected, it won't be a zip file. It will be a compound file. See Overview of Protected Office Open XML Documents

To read a compound file in Java, use POIFS. POIFS is part of POI (docx4j uses it as well, so if you download the docx4j distribution, you'll be able to use the POIFS API)

Once you have decrypted the encrypted package, you can read it using docx4j or POI.

Edit: OK, now docx4j can handle password-protected docx automatically.

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:43

0

Have you tried to open it using the Open Office api? It can work with a lot of documents types.

I used it with MS Excel files .xls ( old version ) format.

Hope this can help you.

answered Apr 25 '12 at 17:43

Can you show example code of how you opened MS with password? – CodeGuy Apr 25 '12 at 18:02

Open Microsoft Word docx file with Java

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