Uploading a DOCX File to KERNIT

Upload a .docx file and KERNIT extracts and reformats its content to match your target journal's specifications. No manual copy-pasting needed. All processing is in-browser — your file never leaves your device.

How to Upload a DOCX File

  1. Open KERNIT

    Go to kernit.org/formatter in your browser. No account or signup required for the first export.

  2. Click Upload DOCX

    Click the "Upload DOCX" button in the input panel on the left side of the screen. A file picker dialog will open.

  3. Select your .docx file

    Choose any .docx file up to 10MB. KERNIT reads the file entirely in your browser — it never uploads to a server. Processing takes 1–3 seconds depending on file size.

  4. Select a journal preset

    Choose your target journal from the preset selector (IEEE, APA, Nature, and 6 more). KERNIT reformats the extracted content to match that journal's typography, margins, and citation style.

  5. Export

    Click Export DOCX, Export LaTeX, or Export HTML. Your newly formatted manuscript downloads instantly, ready for submission.

What KERNIT Extracts from Your DOCX

KERNIT reads the following content elements from uploaded .docx files:

  • Headings: Paragraphs using Word's built-in Heading 1 through Heading 6 styles are mapped to the corresponding heading levels in the selected journal preset.
  • Paragraphs: All body text paragraphs are extracted and reflowed according to the journal's column layout, font, and line spacing.
  • Tables: Tables are extracted and restyled to match the journal preset's table formatting rules (ruled, lined, or plain).
  • Bold and italic: Inline bold and italic formatting is preserved from the source document.
  • Images: Embedded images are extracted as figure placeholders with their captions. Re-insert images in Word after downloading the formatted DOCX.
  • Equations: OMML equations (native Word equations) and MathType equations are detected and rendered. Complex equations may require manual review after export.
  • Footnotes: Word footnotes are extracted and placed at the bottom of each page in the formatted output, following the journal preset's footnote style.

Limitations

Some source document features do not survive the KERNIT reformatting process:

  • Custom paragraph styles: Non-standard Word styles (e.g., "MyBodyText", "AuthorName") that don't map to standard Heading or Normal styles are treated as body text.
  • Complex multi-column source layouts: If your source DOCX already uses a multi-column layout (e.g., a previously formatted two-column paper), the column structure is stripped and reflowed as single-column content before the journal preset is applied.
  • Track changes: Only the accepted version of the document is read. Track changes markup is ignored.
Try it in KERNIT →

Free to try · No signup required · Export DOCX, LaTeX, or HTML

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the file size limit for DOCX upload?
KERNIT accepts .docx files up to 10MB. Most academic manuscripts are well under this limit. If your file exceeds 10MB, it is likely due to embedded high-resolution images. Try removing or compressing images in Word before uploading, then re-adding figure placeholders after formatting.
What happens to images in my DOCX file?
Images are extracted and displayed as figure placeholders in the KERNIT preview. The placeholder preserves the figure caption if one was present in your original document. When you export to DOCX, the placeholder is retained so you can re-insert the actual image in Word after downloading. LaTeX export generates \includegraphics{} stubs with the figure caption.
Does KERNIT work with DOCX files exported from LaTeX or Pandoc?
Yes, with some caveats. DOCX files generated by Pandoc or LaTeX-to-Word converters typically use standard heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) which KERNIT maps correctly. Equations converted via MathType or OMML are also detected. However, some converters produce non-standard paragraph styles that KERNIT falls back to treating as body text.
How does KERNIT handle track changes and comments?
KERNIT reads the accepted (final) version of the document content. Track changes markup and comments are ignored during extraction. If you have pending changes you want to include, accept them in Word before uploading to KERNIT.
Is my DOCX file uploaded to any server?
No. All DOCX processing happens entirely in your browser using the docx.js library. Your file is read locally and never sent to KERNIT servers or any third party. This means your unpublished manuscript content stays on your device at all times.
Last updated: March 2026