1. What does this tool do
This free online file reader opens and displays PDF, Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), CSV, Markdown, and text files directly in your browser. Use it to read PDF online, open Word document, or view Excel without installing office software. Desktop-style layout with a navigation sidebar—no upload, no account. Your documents never leave your device. Ideal for quick view on shared machines, multiple formats in one place, privacy, or portable use.
2. How to use it
Quick start: Use Open or drag-and-drop to select a file (PDF, .docx, .xlsx, .csv, .md, .txt). Switch between opened files in the sidebar; use in-document navigation for pages or sheets. Read and scroll; copy text if the tool allows.
- Open a file — Use "Open" or drag-and-drop to select a file from your device (PDF, .docx, .xlsx, .csv, .md, .txt).
- Navigate — Use the sidebar or list to switch between opened files. For multi-page or multi-sheet files, use in-document navigation (pages, sheets).
- Read and scroll — Content is rendered in the main area. Scroll as needed. Copy text from the viewer if the tool allows.
- Open more — Add more files to read; they stay in the session until you close or clear them.
3. How it works
Files are read with the File API (client-side only). PDF is rendered with a library like pdf.js; Word/Excel are parsed (e.g. mammoth for .docx, xlsx for .xlsx); CSV and text are parsed and displayed. Markdown may be rendered to HTML. All processing is in your browser; no server receives your files. No data is sent to any server.
4. Use cases & examples
- Quick view — Open a document on a shared or locked-down machine without installing Word or Acrobat.
- Multiple formats — One place to read PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and text.
- Privacy — Sensitive documents stay local; nothing is uploaded.
- Portable — Same reader on any device with a modern browser.
Example
- Open report.pdf → pages in sidebar, content in main area.
- Open data.xlsx → sheets listed; click a sheet to view table.
5. Limitations & known constraints
- Rendering — Layout may differ from native Word/Excel/PDF apps; complex formatting might not match exactly.
- File size — Very large files may be slow to parse or display; practical limits depend on the browser.
- Read-only — This is a viewer; it does not edit or save changes back to the file.