docx-edit

name	docx-edit
description	DOCX: Edit an existing Word document — append content, replace text, or add tables.
metadata	{"version":"0.22.0","maxent":{"requires":{"bins":[{"name":"python","install":{"windows":{"method":"winget","id":"Python.Python.3"},"linux":{"method":"apt","id":"python3"},"darwin":{"method":"brew","id":"python"}}}]}}}

docx-edit

PREREQUISITE: Ensure python-docx is installed: pip install python-docx

Modify an existing .docx Word document — append content, search and replace text, remove paragraphs, or add tables and headings.

Usage

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
doc = Document("existing.docx")
# ... make changes ...
doc.save("existing.docx")  # overwrite in place
EOF

Always read the file with docx-read first to understand its current structure before editing.

Recipes

Append a paragraph

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
doc = Document("report.docx")
doc.add_paragraph("Appended paragraph at the end.")
doc.save("report.docx")
EOF

Append a heading and paragraph

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
doc = Document("report.docx")
doc.add_heading("New Section", level=1)
doc.add_paragraph("Content for the new section.")
doc.save("report.docx")
EOF

Search and replace text across all paragraphs

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
doc = Document("report.docx")
old, new = "Q3 2024", "Q4 2024"
for para in doc.paragraphs:
    if old in para.text:
        for run in para.runs:
            run.text = run.text.replace(old, new)
doc.save("report.docx")
EOF

Search and replace text including inside tables

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document

def replace_in_paragraphs(paragraphs, old, new):
    for para in paragraphs:
        for run in para.runs:
            if old in run.text:
                run.text = run.text.replace(old, new)

doc = Document("report.docx")
old, new = "Draft", "Final"
replace_in_paragraphs(doc.paragraphs, old, new)
for table in doc.tables:
    for row in table.rows:
        for cell in row.cells:
            replace_in_paragraphs(cell.paragraphs, old, new)
doc.save("report.docx")
EOF

Remove paragraphs matching a condition

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
from docx.oxml.ns import qn

doc = Document("report.docx")
to_remove = []
for para in doc.paragraphs:
    if "DELETE ME" in para.text:
        to_remove.append(para._element)
for el in to_remove:
    el.getparent().remove(el)
doc.save("report.docx")
EOF

Append a table

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
doc = Document("report.docx")
table = doc.add_table(rows=1, cols=2)
table.style = "Table Grid"
hdr = table.rows[0].cells
hdr[0].text = "Key"
hdr[1].text = "Value"
rows_data = [("Status", "Complete"), ("Owner", "Alice")]
for key, val in rows_data:
    row = table.add_row().cells
    row[0].text = key
    row[1].text = val
doc.save("report.docx")
EOF

Save as a new file (non-destructive)

python - <<'EOF'
from docx import Document
doc = Document("report.docx")
doc.add_paragraph("Extra note added.")
doc.save("report_v2.docx")  # original untouched
EOF

Tips

• Always inspect first with docx-read before editing so you know paragraph indices, style names, and table layout.
• Search & replace via runs: para.text is read-only; mutations must go through run.text.
• Paragraph removal: Access para._element and call .getparent().remove(el) — there is no built-in remove_paragraph API.
• Save path: doc.save(same_path) overwrites in place. Use a different path to preserve the original.
• Tables from doc.tables only returns top-level tables; nested tables must be accessed via cell.tables.

[!CAUTION] This is a write command — confirm with the user before executing. Overwriting doc.save(original_path) is irreversible unless a backup exists.

See Also

• docx-read — Read content from a Word document
• docx-create — Create a new Word document from scratch