Windows Desktop Document Authoring Application – DOCX Metadata

Windows Desktop Document Authoring Application — DOCX & Metadata

I am looking for an experienced Windows desktop developer to build a lightweight document-authoring application for internal use by my company.

The application will allow our document makers to create DOCX documents from scratch and apply the company's designated document properties and metadata at the point of creation.

The intended workflow is:

Create document → enter/edit content → apply company document properties → save/export as DOCX

The purpose is to avoid creating a document in Microsoft Word first and then having to manually change the document properties afterwards.

Core Requirements

The application should:

Be a Windows desktop application.

Allow users to create documents from scratch.

Allow users to edit document content.

Save documents as Microsoft Word-compatible .docx files.

Allow previously created documents to be reopened and edited.

Apply the company's designated document properties and metadata when the document is created.

Operate locally on the computer.

The metadata/document properties may include:

Author

Company/Organisation

Title

Subject

Keywords

Comments

Creator/Application

Custom document properties where technically supported

I want the developer to clearly identify which properties can be controlled reliably.

Not Required

The application does not require:

User accounts

Login

Payments

AI

Cloud services

External APIs

Online databases

Admin dashboard

iPhone/iPad application

Android application

The priority is a simple, reliable and cost-effective Windows application.

Recommended Technology

I am open to the developer's recommendation, but I expect C#/.NET with a Windows desktop framework such as WPF or WinUI to be considered because the application is specifically intended for Windows and needs to work closely with DOCX/Office Open XML documents.

The developer should explain the recommended technology and why it is appropriate.

DOCX / Open XML Requirement

Experience with Microsoft Word document formats and Office Open XML is particularly important.

A key requirement is:

Can you demonstrate that a DOCX created by your application contains the specified company document properties when inspected in Microsoft Word and through the underlying Office Open XML package?

I want this demonstrated with a working prototype before committing to the complete application.

Estimated Development Time

For the initial MVP, I would expect the developer to provide a realistic estimate after reviewing the requirements.

My preference is to start with a small paid prototype demonstrating:

Creating a DOCX from the application.

Applying the required document properties.

Saving the DOCX.

Opening it in Microsoft Word.

Verifying the document properties.

Inspecting the underlying Office Open XML package.

After that prototype has been successfully demonstrated, the remaining application can be developed in milestones.

Budget / Cost

I am looking for the cheapest practical and reliable solution.

I am open to offers from experienced developers and would like developers to provide:

Cost for the initial prototype.

Cost for the complete MVP.

Estimated cost for any optional features.

Fixed-price milestone breakdown where possible.

I am not looking for unnecessary features or an over-engineered solution.

Developer Experience

I am specifically looking for a developer who has experience with:

Windows desktop applications

C#/.NET or another suitable Windows desktop technology

DOCX document creation/manipulation

Microsoft Office Open XML

Document properties and metadata

Software testing

Please provide examples of relevant previous work.

Source Code

The complete source code should be provided as part of the project deliverables.

The application should be developed using version control, and any third-party libraries or open-source components should be identified along with their applicable licences.

Proposal Requirements

Please tell me:

What technology would you use and why?

Have you built Windows desktop applications before?

What experience do you have with DOCX/Open XML and document metadata?

Please provide examples of relevant previous work.

What would you charge for the small working prototype?

What would you charge for the complete MVP?

What is your estimated development time?

How would you divide the project into milestones?

Can you demonstrate the metadata functionality before the full application is developed?

What technical limitations or risks do you see?

Please do not send a generic proposal. I want a developer who understands the specific DOCX/document-metadata requirement and can explain a practical, cost-effective way to build it.

Any technical limitations or risks you see.

Please do not send a generic proposal. I would like you to specifically address the DOCX/document-metadata requirements.