WordprocessingML (XML) - Aspose.Words for .NET and Java

WordprocessingML is an XML-based format for word processing documents; it was introduced in Microsoft Word 2003. Another name for WordprocessingML is Microsoft Word 2003 XML format.

WordprocessingML was a significant step by Microsoft towards making the document format open. Since the document was an XML file and the schema was documented, it became possible to develop software that could consume or generate Microsoft Word documents.

Note that WordprocessingML defined by Office Open XML in Microsoft Office Word 2007 is different from the Microsoft Word 2003 XML format, but they both are called WordprocessingML. The fact that the two formats have exactly the same name, but mean different things could be confusing. To avoid confusion, in this documentation, we will refer to the new WordprocessingML format as Office Open XML, OOXML or DOCX. We will call the old format WordprocessingML or WordML.

WordprocessingML in Aspose.Words

Aspose.Words fully supports reading and writing WordprocessingML documents including most of the advanced features:

All drawing objects including images, textboxes, AutoShapes and group shapes
Linked and embedded OLE objects
ActiveX controls
VBA projects (with preservation of digital signatures)

In our opinion, WordprocessingML has not become a very popular document format, yet we decided to provide complete support for it in Aspose.Words. We did it as a stepping-stone before fully supporting Microsoft Office Open XML (OOXML).

A WordprocessingML document produced by Aspose.Words and opened in Microsoft Word.

A WordprocessingML document produced by Aspose.Words and opened in Notepad.