Tips to open DOT file

Can't open the DOT file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open DOT files as well as a list of programs that support DOT files.

DOT file extension

File Name Word Document Template
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Layout Files

The DOT file is supported on 4 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the DOT files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the DOT file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 6
  • 2
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is DOT file?

The .DOT file is a template file. It is used by text editors to create .DOC files. It was originally used by Microsoft Word. There is now also a .DOTX file that creates documents in .DOCX format. The use of templates allows you to standardize the appearance of documents. In addition, the template is not edited by default, so you can use it many times. It allows you to save time on transferring styles, text layouts or graphics. Some programs may use templates to generate documents.

How to open DOT file?

An often recurring problem with Word Document Template is that DOT is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that DOT files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the DOT file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Microsoft Word

The first step is to check if the computer has the Microsoft Word program installed. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Microsoft Word in it. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below you will find a list of applications that support DOT files.

Step 2. Create association of Microsoft Word with DOT files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the DOT file still does not use the Microsoft Word program, it means no association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. It may happen that in the next window there will be no appropriate program - however, this can be corrected with the "Browse" option where you should manually indicate the program location. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the DOT file with the Microsoft Word application.

Step 3. Update Microsoft Word to the latest version

If, however, after binding Microsoft Word with Word Document Template there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version. Some applications allow you to update from the program level, and for others you need to download the installer from the Microsoft Corporation page and install.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the DOT file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. The most common file problems are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the DOT file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our DOT file. However, remember that not every infected DOT file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
Older version of DOT file may not always be supported by the latest software version. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
There can be many reasons for this. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged DOT files. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact Microsoft
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted DOT files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. If possible, you can try to move the DOT file to another location.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the DOT file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.