# DOCX Word Processor

> Use this skill whenever you need to create, read, edit, or manipulate Word documents (.docx files). Trigger this on any mention of 'Word doc', 'word document', '.docx', or requests to produce formatted deliverables like reports, memos, or letters. Use this for extracting text, inserting images, tracking changes, or converting content to Word format. Do NOT use for PDFs or spreadsheets.

- Skill: `shalomb/docx-word-processor` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 63 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add shalomb/docx-word-processor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/shalomb/docx-word-processor/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- License: Proprietary. LICENSE.txt has complete terms
- Author: shalomb (https://skillmd.com/u/shalomb)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/shalomb/docx-word-processor

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# DOCX creation, editing, and analysis

## Overview

A .docx file is a ZIP archive containing XML files.

## Task Quick Start

| Task | Approach |
|------|----------|
| **Analyze content** | `pandoc document.docx -o output.md` |
| **Convert .doc** | `python scripts/office/soffice.py --convert-to docx document.doc` |
| **Create new doc** | Use `docx-js`. See [references/creating.md](references/creating.md) |
| **Edit existing doc** | Unpack → edit XML → repack. See [references/editing.md](references/editing.md) |
| **Clean changes** | `python scripts/accept_changes.py input.docx output.docx` |
| **Convert to PDF** | `python scripts/office/soffice.py --convert-to pdf document.docx` |

## Reference Materials

To ensure high-quality document manipulation, refer to these detailed guides:

- **Creating Documents**: [references/creating.md](references/creating.md) - Full guide for `docx-js` (JavaScript).
- **Editing Documents**: [references/editing.md](references/editing.md) - Detailed workflow for unpacking and editing XML directly.
- **XML Reference**: [references/editing.md#xml-reference](references/editing.md#xml-reference) - Patterns for tracked changes, comments, and images.

## Critical Rules

### For docx-js (Creating)
- **Set page size explicitly** - Defaults to A4; use US Letter (12240 x 15840 DXA) for US documents.
- **Tables need dual widths** - `columnWidths` array AND cell `width`, both must match in DXA.
- **Never use `\n` or unicode bullets** - Use separate Paragraphs and `LevelFormat.BULLET`.

### For XML Editing (Modifying)
- **Author Identity**: Use "Claude" for tracked changes and comments.
- **Minimal edits** - Only mark what actually changes in the XML.
- **Comment Markers**: Siblings of `<w:r>`, never inside.

## Dependencies

- **pandoc**: Text extraction
- **docx**: `npm install -g docx` (new documents)
- **LibreOffice**: PDF conversion (`scripts/office/soffice.py`)
- **Poppler**: `pdftoppm` for images