Python‑docx Guide: Extract, Create, and Manipulate Word Documents

This guide shows how to work with Microsoft Word files using the python-docx library, covering common tasks such as extracting text, creating documents, modifying content, and customizing layout.

Extract all text from a Word document

from docx import Document
def extract_text_from_docx(docx_path):
    doc = Document(docx_path)
    return '
'.join([para.text for para in doc.paragraphs])

docx_path = 'path/to/your/document.docx'
text = extract_text_from_docx(docx_path)
print(text)

Create a new Word document and add text

from docx import Document
def create_new_docx_with_text(file_path, text):
    doc = Document()
    doc.add_paragraph(text)
    doc.save(file_path)

file_path = 'path/to/new_document.docx'
text = "Hello, this is a new document."
create_new_docx_with_text(file_path, text)

Replace text in a Word document

from docx import Document
def replace_text_in_docx(docx_path, old_text, new_text):
    doc = Document(docx_path)
    for paragraph in doc.paragraphs:
        if old_text in paragraph.text:
            inline = paragraph.runs
            for i in range(len(inline)):
                if old_text in inline[i].text:
                    text = inline[i].text.replace(old_text, new_text)
                    inline[i].text = text
    doc.save(docx_path)

docx_path = 'path/to/your/document.docx'
replace_text_in_docx(docx_path, "old text", "new text")

Add an image to a Word document

from docx import Document
def add_image_to_docx(file_path, image_path):
    doc = Document()
    doc.add_picture(image_path, width=None, height=None)
    doc.save(file_path)

file_path = 'path/to/new_document_with_image.docx'
image_path = 'path/to/your/image.png'
add_image_to_docx(file_path, image_path)

Extract all images from a Word document

from docx import Document
def extract_images_from_docx(docx_path, output_dir):
    doc = Document(docx_path)
    images = []
    for rel in doc.part.rels.values():
        if "image" in rel.reltype:
            images.append(rel.target_part.blob)
    for index, image in enumerate(images):
        with open(f"{output_dir}/image_{index}.png", "wb") as f:
            f.write(image)


docx_path = 'path/to/your/document.docx'
output_dir = 'path/to/output/images'
extract_images_from_docx(docx_path, output_dir)

Create a table in a Word document

from docx import Document
def create_table_in_docx(file_path):
    doc = Document()
    table = doc.add_table(rows=1, cols=3)
    hdr_cells = table.rows[0].cells
    hdr_cells[0].text = 'Qty'
    hdr_cells[1].text = 'Id'
    hdr_cells[2].text = 'Desc'
    doc.save(file_path)

file_path = 'path/to/new_document_with_table.docx'
create_table_in_docx(file_path)

Fill a table with data

from docx import Document
def fill_table_in_docx(file_path, data):
    doc = Document(file_path)
    table = doc.tables[0]
    for item in data:
        row_cells = table.add_row().cells
        row_cells[0].text = str(item['Qty'])
        row_cells[1].text = item['Id']
        row_cells[2].text = item['Desc']
    doc.save(file_path)

file_path = 'path/to/document_with_table.docx'
data = [
    {'Qty': 1, 'Id': '123', 'Desc': 'First item'},
    {'Qty': 2, 'Id': '456', 'Desc': 'Second item'}
]
fill_table_in_docx(file_path, data)

Delete specific paragraphs

from docx import Document
def delete_paragraph(paragraph):
    p = paragraph._element
    p.getparent().remove(p)
    p._p = p._element = None

def remove_paragraphs_in_docx(docx_path, to_delete):
    doc = Document(docx_path)
    for para in doc.paragraphs:
        if para.text in to_delete:
            delete_paragraph(para)
    doc.save(docx_path)


docx_path = 'path/to/your/document.docx'
to_delete = ["This is the text to be deleted"]
remove_paragraphs_in_docx(docx_path, to_delete)

Set document style

from docx import Document
from docx.shared import Pt

def set_style_in_docx(docx_path):
    doc = Document(docx_path)
    style = doc.styles['Normal']
    font = style.font
    font.name = 'Times New Roman'
    font.size = Pt(12)
    doc.save(docx_path)


docx_path = 'path/to/your/document.docx'
set_style_in_docx(docx_path)

Add header and footer

from docx import Document
def add_header_footer(docx_path):
    doc = Document(docx_path)
    section = doc.sections[0]
    header = section.header
    footer = section.footer
    header.paragraphs[0].text = "This is the header"
    footer.paragraphs[0].text = "This is the footer"
    doc.save(docx_path)


docx_path = 'path/to/your/document.docx'
add_header_footer(docx_path)