How to create a DOCX document in C# and .NET

  1. Add SautinSoft.Document from Nuget.
  2. Create a new document.
  3. Save to a DOCX format.

Let's create a simple DOCX document with two paragraphs containing some formatted text and graphics, like a shown on the picture:

Simple DOCX document

Here we'll you show two ways to create the same DOCX document from a scratch. Use any of them, which is more clear to you:

  1. Using DocumentBuilder.

  2. Using DOM (Document Object Model) directly.

Way 1: Creating a new document using DocumentBuilder

DocumentBuilder is a powerful class that is associated with a DocumentCore and allows dynamic document building from scratch or the addition of new elements to an existing document.

Everything that is possible with DocumentBuilder is also possible when using the classes of the DOM (Document Object Model) directly, but usually require more lines of code than using DocumentBuilder.

        public static void CreateDocxUsingDocumentBuilder()
        {
            // Set a path to our document.
            string docPath = @"Result-DocumentBuilder.docx";

            // Create a new document and DocumentBuilder.
            DocumentCore dc = new DocumentCore();
            DocumentBuilder db = new DocumentBuilder(dc);

            // Set page size A4.
            Section section = db.Document.Sections[0];            
            section.PageSetup.PaperType = PaperType.A4;

            // Add 1st paragraph with formatted text.
            db.CharacterFormat.FontName = "Verdana";
            db.CharacterFormat.Size = 16;
            db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.Orange;
            db.Write("This is a first line in 1st paragraph!");
            // Add a line break into the 1st paragraph.
            db.InsertSpecialCharacter(SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak);
            // Add 2nd line to the 1st paragraph, create 2nd paragraph.
            db.Writeln("Let's type a second line.");
            // Specify the paragraph alignment.
            (section.Blocks[0] as Paragraph).ParagraphFormat.Alignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;

            // Add text into the 2nd paragraph.
            db.CharacterFormat.ClearFormatting();
            db.CharacterFormat.Size = 25;
            db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.Blue;
            db.CharacterFormat.Bold = true;
            db.Write("This is a first line in 2nd paragraph.");
            // Insert a line break into the 2nd paragraph.
            db.InsertSpecialCharacter(SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak);
            // Insert 2nd line with own formatting to the 2nd paragraph.
            db.CharacterFormat.Size = 20;
            db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.DarkGreen;
            db.CharacterFormat.UnderlineStyle = UnderlineType.Single;
            db.CharacterFormat.Bold = false;
            db.Write("This is a second line.");

            // Add a graphics figure into the paragraph.
            db.CharacterFormat.ClearFormatting();
            Shape shape = db.InsertShape(SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Figure.SmileyFace, new SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Size(50, 50, LengthUnit.Millimeter));
            // Specify outline and fill.
            shape.Outline.Fill.SetSolid(new SautinSoft.Document.Color("#358CCB"));
            shape.Outline.Width = 3;
            shape.Fill.SetSolid(SautinSoft.Document.Color.Orange);

            // Save the document to the file in DOCX format.
            dc.Save(docPath, new DocxSaveOptions()
            { EmbeddedJpegQuality = 90 });

            // Open the result for demonstration purposes.
            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(docPath) { UseShellExecute = true });
        }

Way 2: Creating a new document using DOM

The DOM (Document Object Model) is very straightforward and clear, it's an in-memory representation of a Word document.

        public static void CreateDocxUsingDOM()
        {
            // Set a path to our document.
            string docPath = @"Result-DocumentCore.docx";

            // Create a new document.
            DocumentCore dc = new DocumentCore();

            // Add new section.
            Section section = new Section(dc);
            dc.Sections.Add(section);

            // Let's set page size A4.
            section.PageSetup.PaperType = PaperType.A4;

            // Add two paragraphs            
            Paragraph par1 = new Paragraph(dc);
            par1.ParagraphFormat.Alignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;
            section.Blocks.Add(par1);

            // Let's create a characterformat for text in the 1st paragraph.
            CharacterFormat cf = new CharacterFormat() { FontName = "Verdana", Size = 16, FontColor = Color.Orange };
            Run run1 = new Run(dc, "This is a first line in 1st paragraph!");
            run1.CharacterFormat = cf;
            par1.Inlines.Add(run1);

            // Let's add a line break into the 1st paragraph.
            par1.Inlines.Add(new SpecialCharacter(dc, SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak));
            // Copy the formatting.
            Run run2 = run1.Clone();
            run2.Text = "Let's type a second line.";
            par1.Inlines.Add(run2);

            // Add 2nd paragraph.
            Paragraph par2 = new Paragraph(dc, new Run(dc, "This is a first line in 2nd paragraph.", new CharacterFormat() { Size = 25, FontColor = Color.Blue, Bold = true }));
            section.Blocks.Add(par2);
            SpecialCharacter lBr = new SpecialCharacter(dc, SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak);
            par2.Inlines.Add(lBr);
            Run run3 = new Run(dc, "This is a second line.", new CharacterFormat() { Size = 20, FontColor = Color.DarkGreen, UnderlineStyle = UnderlineType.Single });
            par2.Inlines.Add(run3);

            // Add a graphics figure into the paragraph.
            Shape shape = new Shape(dc, new InlineLayout(new SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Size(50, 50, LengthUnit.Millimeter)));
            // Specify outline and fill.
            shape.Outline.Fill.SetSolid(new SautinSoft.Document.Color("#358CCB"));
            shape.Outline.Width = 3;
            shape.Fill.SetSolid(SautinSoft.Document.Color.Orange);
            shape.Geometry.SetPreset(Figure.SmileyFace);
            par2.Inlines.Add(shape);

            // Save the document to the file in DOCX format.
            dc.Save(docPath, new DocxSaveOptions()
            { EmbeddedJpegQuality = 90 });

            // Open the result for demonstration purposes.
            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(docPath) { UseShellExecute = true });
        }

As you may see, in the method Save() we've specified the DocxSaveOptions class as parameter. Also it's possible to save to DOCX using MemoryStream and set other options

 

Complete code

using SautinSoft.Document;
using SautinSoft.Document.Drawing;

namespace Example
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Get your free 100-day key here:   
            // https://sautinsoft.com/start-for-free/

            // Here we'll show two ways to create DOCX document from a scratch.
            // Use any of them, which is more clear to you.

            // 1. With help of DocumentBuilder (wizard).
            CreateDocxUsingDocumentBuilder();

            // 2. With Document Object Model (DOM) directly.
            CreateDocxUsingDOM();
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Creates a new DOCX document using DocumentBuilder wizard.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>
        /// Details: https://sautinsoft.com/products/document/help/net/developer-guide/create-docx-document-net-csharp-vb.php
        /// </remarks>
        public static void CreateDocxUsingDocumentBuilder()
        {
            // Set a path to our document.
            string docPath = @"Result-DocumentBuilder.docx";

            // Create a new document and DocumentBuilder.
            DocumentCore dc = new DocumentCore();
            DocumentBuilder db = new DocumentBuilder(dc);

            // Set page size A4.
            Section section = db.Document.Sections[0];            
            section.PageSetup.PaperType = PaperType.A4;

            // Add 1st paragraph with formatted text.
            db.CharacterFormat.FontName = "Verdana";
            db.CharacterFormat.Size = 16;
            db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.Orange;
            db.Write("This is a first line in 1st paragraph!");
            // Add a line break into the 1st paragraph.
            db.InsertSpecialCharacter(SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak);
            // Add 2nd line to the 1st paragraph, create 2nd paragraph.
            db.Writeln("Let's type a second line.");
            // Specify the paragraph alignment.
            (section.Blocks[0] as Paragraph).ParagraphFormat.Alignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;

            // Add text into the 2nd paragraph.
            db.CharacterFormat.ClearFormatting();
            db.CharacterFormat.Size = 25;
            db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.Blue;
            db.CharacterFormat.Bold = true;
            db.Write("This is a first line in 2nd paragraph.");
            // Insert a line break into the 2nd paragraph.
            db.InsertSpecialCharacter(SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak);
            // Insert 2nd line with own formatting to the 2nd paragraph.
            db.CharacterFormat.Size = 20;
            db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.DarkGreen;
            db.CharacterFormat.UnderlineStyle = UnderlineType.Single;
            db.CharacterFormat.Bold = false;
            db.Write("This is a second line.");

            // Add a graphics figure into the paragraph.
            db.CharacterFormat.ClearFormatting();
            Shape shape = db.InsertShape(SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Figure.SmileyFace, new SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Size(50, 50, LengthUnit.Millimeter));
            // Specify outline and fill.
            shape.Outline.Fill.SetSolid(new SautinSoft.Document.Color("#358CCB"));
            shape.Outline.Width = 3;
            shape.Fill.SetSolid(SautinSoft.Document.Color.Orange);

            // Save the document to the file in DOCX format.
            dc.Save(docPath, new DocxSaveOptions()
            { EmbeddedJpegQuality = 90 });
			
			// Important for Linux: Install MS Fonts
			// sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer -y

            // Open the result for demonstration purposes.
            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(docPath) { UseShellExecute = true });
        }


        /// <summary>
        /// Creates a new DOCX document using DOM directly.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>
        /// Details: https://sautinsoft.com/products/document/help/net/developer-guide/create-docx-document-net-csharp-vb.php
        /// </remarks>
        public static void CreateDocxUsingDOM()
        {
            // Set a path to our document.
            string docPath = @"Result-DocumentCore.docx";

            // Create a new document.
            DocumentCore dc = new DocumentCore();

            // Add new section.
            Section section = new Section(dc);
            dc.Sections.Add(section);

            // Let's set page size A4.
            section.PageSetup.PaperType = PaperType.A4;

            // Add two paragraphs            
            Paragraph par1 = new Paragraph(dc);
            par1.ParagraphFormat.Alignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;
            section.Blocks.Add(par1);

            // Let's create a characterformat for text in the 1st paragraph.
            CharacterFormat cf = new CharacterFormat() { FontName = "Verdana", Size = 16, FontColor = Color.Orange };
            Run run1 = new Run(dc, "This is a first line in 1st paragraph!");
            run1.CharacterFormat = cf;
            par1.Inlines.Add(run1);

            // Let's add a line break into the 1st paragraph.
            par1.Inlines.Add(new SpecialCharacter(dc, SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak));
            // Copy the formatting.
            Run run2 = run1.Clone();
            run2.Text = "Let's type a second line.";
            par1.Inlines.Add(run2);

            // Add 2nd paragraph.
            Paragraph par2 = new Paragraph(dc, new Run(dc, "This is a first line in 2nd paragraph.", new CharacterFormat() { Size = 25, FontColor = Color.Blue, Bold = true }));
            section.Blocks.Add(par2);
            SpecialCharacter lBr = new SpecialCharacter(dc, SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak);
            par2.Inlines.Add(lBr);
            Run run3 = new Run(dc, "This is a second line.", new CharacterFormat() { Size = 20, FontColor = Color.DarkGreen, UnderlineStyle = UnderlineType.Single });
            par2.Inlines.Add(run3);

            // Add a graphics figure into the paragraph.
            Shape shape = new Shape(dc, new InlineLayout(new SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Size(50, 50, LengthUnit.Millimeter)));
            // Specify outline and fill.
            shape.Outline.Fill.SetSolid(new SautinSoft.Document.Color("#358CCB"));
            shape.Outline.Width = 3;
            shape.Fill.SetSolid(SautinSoft.Document.Color.Orange);
            shape.Geometry.SetPreset(Figure.SmileyFace);
            par2.Inlines.Add(shape);

            // Save the document to the file in DOCX format.
            dc.Save(docPath, new DocxSaveOptions()
            { EmbeddedJpegQuality = 90 });
			
			// Important for Linux: Install MS Fonts
			// sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer -y

            // Open the result for demonstration purposes.
            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(docPath) { UseShellExecute = true });
        }
    }
}

Download

Imports SautinSoft.Document
Imports SautinSoft.Document.Drawing

Namespace Example
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			' Here we'll show two ways to create DOCX document from a scratch.
			' Use any of them, which is more clear to you.

			' 1. With help of DocumentBuilder (wizard).
			CreateDocxUsingDocumentBuilder()

			' 2. With Document Object Model (DOM) directly.
			CreateDocxUsingDOM()
		End Sub
                ''' Get your free 100-day key here:   
                ''' https://sautinsoft.com/start-for-free/
		''' <summary>
		''' Creates a new DOCX document using DocumentBuilder wizard.
		''' </summary>
		''' <remarks>
		''' Details: https://sautinsoft.com/products/document/help/net/developer-guide/create-docx-document-net-csharp-vb.php
		''' </remarks>
		Public Shared Sub CreateDocxUsingDocumentBuilder()
			' Set a path to our document.
			Dim docPath As String = "Result-DocumentBuilder.docx"

			' Create a new document and DocumentBuilder.
			Dim dc As New DocumentCore()
			Dim db As New DocumentBuilder(dc)

			' Set page size A4.
			Dim section As Section = db.Document.Sections(0)
			section.PageSetup.PaperType = PaperType.A4

			' Add 1st paragraph with formatted text.
			db.CharacterFormat.FontName = "Verdana"
			db.CharacterFormat.Size = 16
			db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.Orange
			db.Write("This is a first line in 1st paragraph!")
			' Add a line break into the 1st paragraph.
			db.InsertSpecialCharacter(SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak)
			' Add 2nd line to the 1st paragraph, create 2nd paragraph.
			db.Writeln("Let's type a second line.")
			' Specify the paragraph alignment.
			TryCast(section.Blocks(0), Paragraph).ParagraphFormat.Alignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center

			' Add text into the 2nd paragraph.
			db.CharacterFormat.ClearFormatting()
			db.CharacterFormat.Size = 25
			db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.Blue
			db.CharacterFormat.Bold = True
			db.Write("This is a first line in 2nd paragraph.")
			' Insert a line break into the 2nd paragraph.
			db.InsertSpecialCharacter(SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak)
			' Insert 2nd line with own formatting to the 2nd paragraph.
			db.CharacterFormat.Size = 20
			db.CharacterFormat.FontColor = Color.DarkGreen
			db.CharacterFormat.UnderlineStyle = UnderlineType.Single
			db.CharacterFormat.Bold = False
			db.Write("This is a second line.")

			' Add a graphics figure into the paragraph.
			db.CharacterFormat.ClearFormatting()
			Dim shape As Shape = db.InsertShape(SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Figure.SmileyFace, New SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Size(50, 50, LengthUnit.Millimeter))
			' Specify outline and fill.
			shape.Outline.Fill.SetSolid(New SautinSoft.Document.Color("#358CCB"))
			shape.Outline.Width = 3
			shape.Fill.SetSolid(SautinSoft.Document.Color.Orange)

			' Save the document to the file in DOCX format.
			dc.Save(docPath, New DocxSaveOptions() With {.EmbeddedJpegQuality = 90})

			' Open the result for demonstration purposes.
			System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(New System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(docPath) With {.UseShellExecute = True})
		End Sub


		''' <summary>
		''' Creates a new DOCX document using DOM directly.
		''' </summary>
		''' <remarks>
		''' Details: https://sautinsoft.com/products/document/help/net/developer-guide/create-docx-document-net-csharp-vb.php
		''' </remarks>
		Public Shared Sub CreateDocxUsingDOM()
			' Set a path to our document.
			Dim docPath As String = "Result-DocumentCore.docx"

			' Create a new document.
			Dim dc As New DocumentCore()

			' Add new section.
			Dim section As New Section(dc)
			dc.Sections.Add(section)

			' Let's set page size A4.
			section.PageSetup.PaperType = PaperType.A4

			' Add two paragraphs            
			Dim par1 As New Paragraph(dc)
			par1.ParagraphFormat.Alignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center
			section.Blocks.Add(par1)

			' Let's create a characterformat for text in the 1st paragraph.
			Dim cf As New CharacterFormat() With {
				.FontName = "Verdana",
				.Size = 16,
				.FontColor = Color.Orange
			}
			Dim run1 As New Run(dc, "This is a first line in 1st paragraph!")
			run1.CharacterFormat = cf
			par1.Inlines.Add(run1)

			' Let's add a line break into the 1st paragraph.
			par1.Inlines.Add(New SpecialCharacter(dc, SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak))
			' Copy the formatting.
			Dim run2 As Run = run1.Clone()
			run2.Text = "Let's type a second line."
			par1.Inlines.Add(run2)

			' Add 2nd paragraph.
			Dim par2 As Paragraph = New Paragraph(dc, New Run(dc, "This is a first line in 2nd paragraph.", New CharacterFormat() With {
				.Size = 25,
				.FontColor = Color.Blue,
				.Bold = True
			}))
			section.Blocks.Add(par2)
			Dim lBr As New SpecialCharacter(dc, SpecialCharacterType.LineBreak)
			par2.Inlines.Add(lBr)
			Dim run3 As Run = New Run(dc, "This is a second line.", New CharacterFormat() With {
				.Size = 20,
				.FontColor = Color.DarkGreen,
				.UnderlineStyle = UnderlineType.Single
			})
			par2.Inlines.Add(run3)

			' Add a graphics figure into the paragraph.
			Dim shape As New Shape(dc, New InlineLayout(New SautinSoft.Document.Drawing.Size(50, 50, LengthUnit.Millimeter)))
			' Specify outline and fill.
			shape.Outline.Fill.SetSolid(New SautinSoft.Document.Color("#358CCB"))
			shape.Outline.Width = 3
			shape.Fill.SetSolid(SautinSoft.Document.Color.Orange)
			shape.Geometry.SetPreset(Figure.SmileyFace)
			par2.Inlines.Add(shape)

			' Save the document to the file in DOCX format.
			dc.Save(docPath, New DocxSaveOptions() With {.EmbeddedJpegQuality = 90})

			' Open the result for demonstration purposes.
			System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(New System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(docPath) With {.UseShellExecute = True})
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

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