All about WIZ files

WIZ files are technically identical to Word template files (DOT) and were used in Word versions 97 through 2003 to make it easier to fill out various documents. They were, so to speak, guided templates. The abbreviation WIZ stands for Microsoft Wizard.^[1]

Structure and Function

The official Microsoft Developer documentation describes WIZ files as follows: Word includes several optional wizards such as the Letter Wizard, Memo Wizard, and Resume Wizard. These files use the .wiz extension but are actually Word templates with embedded VBA projects.^[2]

A WIZ file contains macros, template text, and forms (UserForms) that together form a dialog-based wizard. When a WIZ file is double-clicked, the macros it contains are automatically executed and guide the user step-by-step through the document creation process.

Supported Word versions

WIZ files were a feature of Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002 (XP), and 2003; starting with Word 2007, Microsoft no longer included Wizards with Office.^[3]Existing WIZ files from older versions can still be used by renaming the extension to .DOT.

Sources

[1]Microsoft Q&A: Opening a .wiz file
[2]Microsoft Learn: Word Wizards (Office XP Developer Reference)
[3]Microsoft Q&A: Where to find the calendar wizard

Last updated on 14. April 2026 by Sören with the experience of more than 128,345,554 converted files since 2013.