File opens in compatibility mode on Microsoft® Word for Mac #1543

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1. scanny commented on Feb 23, 2026

   

   scanny

   on Feb 23, 2026

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   By default, python-docx uses its "built-in" blank template .docx file. Since that was created a while ago now, it could cause issues like this. The solution is to create your own blank "starting" document/template file and create documents starting with that: https://python-docx.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user/documents.html#really-opening-a-document

   Like:

   document = Document("my-blank-starting-template.docx")

   If you just open a new document in Word 2016 and save it as "my-blank-starting-template.docx" that should do the trick when combined with this difference in creating the initial document. Of course the name can be whatever you want, as long as it matches what you put in the code and it exists at the path you specify.
2. scanny

   closed this as completedon Feb 23, 2026