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Two Methods:One TimeDefault

Despite the recent spread of the Open Document Format (.odf) amongst government agencies, most people still use Microsoft Word. Fact is, the document format (.doc) that Microsoft Word uses has become a de facto standard even though documents from different versions aren't always correctly compatible. If you choose to use OpenOffice.org, or a variant such as LibreOffice, it is important to have documents that can be shared with those using different software.

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Method 1 of 2: One Time

  1. Make an eBook Using Open Office Step 1.jpg
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    Go to OpenOffice.org and download the latest OpenOffice.
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  2. Make an eBook Using Open Office Step 2.jpg
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    Install it, then use Writer for word processing, Calc for spreadsheets, and Impress for slideshows. Base is another useful one that makes databases, but it is rather difficult to get it to work with MS Access.
  3. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 3.jpg
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    Create a document.
  4. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 4.jpg
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    Go to File > Save As, and select a file type based on your recipient's software. For Microsoft Office and Microsoft Works; Word uses .doc, Excel uses .xls and Powerpoint uses .ppt. Google Office uses Open Document Format. If you don't know, chances are rich text format (.rtf) will work on most word processor programs and comma separated values (.csv) format on most spreadsheet programs.
  5. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 5.jpg
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    If you suspect the recipient might not have any office software, you may want to go to File > Export as PDF. PDF is an open device-independent fixed-layout document format. Each PDF file encapsulates a complete description of a 2-D document that includes the text, fonts, images, and 2-D vector graphics that compose the document. So it will display correctly, regardless of what system software the recipient is using (Adobe Reader, Sumatra, Foxit etc.) or what fonts they have. PDF tends not to be editable.
  6. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 6.jpg
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    If you plan to edit the file later on your computer, save a copy of the file in Open Document Format to your hard disk too.

Method 2 of 2: Default

  1. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 7.jpg
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    Open OpenOffice.org
  2. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 8.jpg
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    if it opens a document pane and not the one on the right, close the document by going to File > Close, NOT File > Exit.
  3. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 9.jpg
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    Go to Tools>Options
  4. Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 10.jpg
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    Click the + next to Load/Save then click General
  5. 5
    In the Default File Format And ODF Settings Set The Following
    • Document Type => Always Save As
      Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 11Bullet1.jpg
    • Text Document => Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP
      Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 11Bullet2.jpg
    • Spreadsheet => Microsoft Excel 97/2000/XP
      Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 11Bullet3.jpg
    • Presentation => Microsoft PowerPoint 97/2000/XP
      Create Documents in OpenOffice.org That Will Work With Other Software Step 11Bullet4.jpg
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Tips

  • OpenOffice.org will work on Windows, Mac and Linux.
  • Businesses may also use OpenOffice.org as their primary office suite software. Its license allows for business use.
  • You may use, redistribute, and modify OpenOffice.org all you want. It is Free Open Source software (FOSS).

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Article Info

Categories: OpenOffice.org

In other languages:

Español: Cómo crear documentos en OpenOffice.org que funcionen con otro software, Italiano: Come Creare Documenti in OpenOffice.org Compatibili con Altri Software, Português: Como Criar Documentos no OpenOffice Que Funcionem Com Outros Programas, Русский: создавать документы в OpenOffice.org, которые можно открывать в других программах

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