Convert MHTML to DOCX in Python

To convert MHTML to DOCX in Python, open the MHTML file as a binary stream, create DocSaveOptions, and call Converter.convert_mhtml() with the stream, options, and output DOCX path.

MHTML stores web content and related resources in a MIME archive. Converting MHTML to DOCX turns the archived content into an editable Word document for revision, collaboration, reporting, or office workflows. On this page, MHTML-to-Word conversion means .docx output, not the legacy binary .doc format.

Convert MHTML to DOCX in Python

The basic workflow uses the default DOCX settings:

1. Open the source MHTML file as a binary stream.
2. Create a DocSaveOptions object.
3. Pass the stream, options, and output path to Converter.convert_mhtml().

import aspose.html.converters as conv
import aspose.html.saving as sav

# Open the source MHTML file
with open("input.mht", "rb") as stream:
    # Convert MHTML to DOCX with default settings
    conv.Converter.convert_mhtml(stream, sav.DocSaveOptions(), "output.docx")

DocSaveOptions produces DOCX by default, so the example does not assign document_format. Changing only the output extension to .doc would not create a legacy DOC file.

Customize MHTML to DOCX with DocSaveOptions

Use DocSaveOptions when the Word document requires a particular page layout, embedded fonts, or page background. The following example creates an A4 document with 2 cm margins and enables full font embedding:

1. Create DocSaveOptions for DOCX output.
2. Configure the required page size and margins through page_setup.
3. Set the required font-embedding and CSS media rules.
4. Open the MHTML source as a binary stream and call Converter.convert_mhtml().

import os
import aspose.html.converters as conv
import aspose.html.drawing as dr
import aspose.html.rendering.doc as rd
import aspose.html.saving as sav

input_dir = "data"
output_dir = "output"
os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)

input_path = os.path.join(input_dir, "document.mht")
output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, "mhtml-options.docx")

options = sav.DocSaveOptions()
options.page_setup.any_page.size = dr.Size(
    dr.Length.from_centimeters(21.0),
    dr.Length.from_centimeters(29.7)
)
options.page_setup.any_page.margin = dr.Margin(
    dr.Length.from_centimeters(2.0),
    dr.Length.from_centimeters(2.0),
    dr.Length.from_centimeters(2.0),
    dr.Length.from_centimeters(2.0)
)
options.font_embedding_rule = rd.FontEmbeddingRule.FULL
with open(input_path, "rb") as stream:
    conv.Converter.convert_mhtml(stream, options, output_path)

Full font embedding makes the document less dependent on fonts installed on another computer, but it can increase file size. Font licenses can also restrict embedding or editing, so verify the rights for the fonts used by the source page.

The most relevant DocSaveOptions properties for MHTML conversion are:

Property	Use it to control
page_setup	DOCX page size, margins, and page layout.
font_embedding_rule	Whether used fonts are embedded. The default is NONE; FULL improves portability and can increase file size.
css	CSS processing, including the media type used for media queries.
document_format	Output document format. The default Word output in this workflow is DOCX.
background_color	Color behind the rendered document content.
horizontal_resolution and vertical_resolution	Resolution used for internal raster images and output dimensions defined in physical units.

MHTML and DOCX Layout Differences

MHTML represents a captured web page, while DOCX uses Word-specific sections, pages, paragraphs, and styles. Aspose.HTML converts supported text, images, links, tables, lists, and CSS-driven formatting into the closest DOCX representation. The result remains editable, but it is not a byte-for-byte copy of the archive or an exact browser screenshot.

Page dimensions, margins, font availability, CSS media rules, and Word layout behavior can change line wrapping and page breaks. Browser-oriented features such as absolute positioning, complex columns, interactive elements, and scripts may not have direct editable DOCX equivalents and can be simplified or rendered differently.

Images and styles stored in valid MHTML parts can be included in the result. If the archive refers to an external resource instead of embedding it, that resource must remain accessible during conversion.

Common MHTML to DOCX Issues

Issue	Likely cause and solution
Fonts are substituted or text wraps differently	A required font is unavailable or not embedded. Make the font accessible during conversion and use FontEmbeddingRule.FULL when its license permits embedding.
Images or styles are missing	The resource is absent from the archive, its MIME reference is invalid, or an external dependency cannot be accessed. Check the MHTML source and resource URLs.
Page breaks differ from the webpage	Web content is being laid out on Word pages. Configure page_setup, verify fonts, and review fixed-width CSS and break rules.
The DOCX file is unexpectedly large	Embedded fonts, large source images, or numerous archived resources can increase file size. Embed fonts only when required and optimize oversized source images.
Complex layout looks different in Word	Some browser CSS and interactive features have no direct editable Word equivalent. Simplify the source layout or use PDF when fixed visual appearance matters more than editing.

Related MHTML Conversion Guides

• MHTML Converter – choose another output format for an MHTML archive.
• Convert MHTML to PDF – create a fixed-layout document when visual appearance is more important than editing.
• Convert MHTML to PNG – render MHTML pages as lossless PNG images.
• Convert MHTML to JPG – render MHTML pages as compressed JPEG images.
• Fine-Tuning Converters – review page setup and advanced rendering controls.

Other Platforms

• Convert MHTML to DOCX in .NET
• MHTML Converter in Java

FAQ

Does MHTML to Word conversion produce DOC or DOCX?

This workflow produces an editable .docx document. DocSaveOptions.document_format uses DOCX by default. Changing the output extension to .doc does not create the legacy binary DOC format.

Does MHTML to DOCX conversion preserve images and formatting?

The converter preserves supported text, document structure, images, hyperlinks, tables, lists, and CSS-driven formatting where DOCX can represent them. Fonts, page breaks, positioned elements, and complex browser layouts can differ because MHTML and Word use different document models.

Can I convert MHTML to DOCX for free?

You can evaluate Aspose.HTML for Python via .NET without a license, but evaluation output has limitations such as a watermark and processing limits. Request a free temporary license for unrestricted testing, or use the free online MHTML to DOCX Converter below for an occasional manual conversion. See Licensing for license setup.

Try Online MHTML to DOCX Conversion

Use the free online MHTML to DOCX Converter for quick manual conversion without writing code. Use Aspose.HTML for Python via .NET when MHTML-to-DOCX conversion must run programmatically in an application, service, or batch workflow.

Download complete examples and data files from GitHub.