DOCM files are Microsoft Word 2007 or higher generated documents with the ability to run macros. It is similar to DOCX file format but the ability to run macros makes it different from DOCX. Like DOCX, DOCM files can be store text, images, tables, shapes, charts and other contents.The capability to run macros make it easy to save time by executing the series of commands in the form of recorded actions for automatic completion of a task. DOCM files can be opened and edited in Microsoft Word 2007 and above.
Brief History
DOCM file format is based on the Office OpenXML standard. It was in the early 2000 when Microsoft decided to go for the change to accommodate the standard for Office Open XML. Documents, of different types, under this new Standard were identified by appending “X” in their extensions, where “X” being for XML. By 2007, this new file format became part of Office 2007 and is carried on in the new versions of Microsoft Office as well. The new file type has added advantages of small file sizes, less changes of corruption and well formatted images representation.
File Format Specifications
The DOCM file format follows the same DOCX structure based on Office OpenXML file format. Contents of a DOCM file format can be viewed by renaming it to ZIP and opening the archive using any supporting utility. The MS-DOCX specifications define the Office OpenXML file format details for DOCX file format for developers’ reference and are applicable to DOTM as well. The macros are contained in a binary file named vbaProject.bin, with two supporting files vbaProject.bin.rels and vbaData.xml.