pandoc (https://pandoc.org https://pandoc.org) might help. It can read and write DOCX, convert it to a plain text format of your liking. I recommend to be wary

pandoc (https://pandoc.org https://pandoc.org) might help. It can read and write DOCX, convert it to a plain text format of your liking. I recommend to be wary of changing someone else's workflow, however. Particularly if it is someone you live with. Unless the other wants to change their workflow, they won't accept it. And if something goes awry, you're the first person they call, and make responsible to resolve the issue NOW. For example, when stuff breaks a day before a deadline, you know what you'll be spending that day on :-)