News

Filing in DOCX now available for all users - greater flexibility and smoother workflows

01.04.2026

The new filing format builds on the EPO’s digital transformation, offering a more consistent and future-ready way to submit patent applications and other documents.

The European Patent Office (EPO) is pleased to announce the roll-out of the possibility to file European patent applications and subsequent documents using a DOCX format to all users. Following a successful pilot phase, this option is now available alongside the existing filing formats, further supporting a fully digital patent granting process in line with the Strategic Plan 2028.

The DOCX format enables smoother workflows and greater consistency throughout the procedure, helping to save time for all parties involved. It is particularly well suited to digital processing and contributes to a streamlined, end-to-end digital environment that is compatible with future tools and services. When submitting a patent application, drawings can be included directly in DOCX or, if preferred, filed separately in PDF format.

The Decision of the President of the European Patent Office concerning the electronic filing documents and other texts has been updated accordingly. Practical details about the new practice are explained further in the accompanying Notice from the European Patent Office. The definition of DOCX has also been modified, reflecting additional options for applicants when filing a European patent application in DOCX.

Benefits of filing in DOCX

DOCX offers a number of practical advantages for both users and the EPO. Details on how to use DOCX can be found in the dedicated feature guide accessible below.

Time savings

DOCX avoids repeated PDF regeneration, last-minute formatting corrections and manual checks for broken numbering. Over time, this can lead to significant efficiency gains, especially for larger portfolios.

Flexible options for submitting drawings

Drawings can be integrated directly into the DOCX document or submitted separately as PDF files, depending on user preference.

Improved text and data quality

DOCX reduces the risk of missing or corrupted characters, unexpected layout changes, hidden fonts or formatting errors. Special characters, formulae and symbols are handled more reliably, improving quality across search, examination and publication.

Smoother amendments throughout the procedure

Paragraph references remain stabler and text shifts less during processing, which is particularly beneficial when applications are amended multiple times during the grant procedure.

Better interaction with EPO digital tools

DOCX works seamlessly with modern EPO services such as MyEPO and Online Filing 2.0 as well as the new generation of internal examiner tools, resulting in fewer technical issues at filing and greater consistency throughout subsequent processing stages.

Alignment with the EPO’s digital strategy

DOCX content can be used throughout the entire patent-granting process without unnecessary format conversions. This reduces complexity, increases transparency and helps ensure consistency at all stages.

Note on use of DOCX with PCT applications

DOCX may also be used for preparing international applications under the PCT and uploading to Online Filing 2.0; different to the European procedure, the document is then converted by the filing tool into XML format before submission, as before.

About the DOCX format

DOCX is a modern, open file format for word-processing documents. Based on XML and standardised by ISO/IEC, it stores text, formatting, images and metadata in a structured, machine-readable way, supporting interoperability across systems and software environments.

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Looking forward

As we advance through 2026, we remain committed to delivering high-quality products and services by further developing our online services in collaboration with our user community.

Planned developments for MyEPO include the:

possibility to link MyEPO company to an organisation in Online Filing 2.0
possibility for authorised users to restrict access rights according to applications (ethical wall for the prevention of conflict of interest)
information on oppositions
possibility for authorised users to enquire about progress of application
possibility for authorised users to request accelerated examination (under PACE programme)
further redesign of MyEPO pages, in line with the modernisation of the MyEPO homepage
introduction of AI support for the portfolio and various actions
enhancement of the shared area and its extension to PCT proceedings

Further information

Feature guide: filing submissions in DOCX format Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 25 March 2026 concerning the electronic filing of documents (OJ EPO 2026, A19) Notice from the European Patent Office dated 25 March 2026 concerning the filing of documents in DOCX format (OJ EPO 2026, A22) Definition of "DOCX" for filing with the European Patent Office (version 3) dated 25 March 2026 (OJ EPO 2026, A23) Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 25 March 2026 concerning the web-based service MyEPO and electronic notification to the Mailbox in proceedings under the EPC and the PCT (OJ EPO 2026, A20) MyEPO services Online user Engagement Pipeline (Strategic Plan 2028) Tutorials and recordings for various MyEPO features (YouTube)

EPO launches DOCX filing for all users

Summary

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