OpenOffice.org XML
| Company type | File format |
|---|---|
| Industry | Office software |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Sun Microsystems |
| Products | OpenOffice.org version 1.x, StarOffice editions 6 and 7 file format |
OpenOffice.org XML represents an open XML-based file format created through a collaborative community initiative led by Sun Microsystems from 2000 to 2002. This format functioned as the default and native file type for the open-source office suite OpenOffice.org version 1.x, as well as for StarOffice editions 6 and 7. While its usage has diminished over time, it continues to be supported by applications derived from OpenOffice.org.
The OpenDocument format (ISO/IEC 26300:2006) evolved from OpenOffice.org XML and exhibits numerous technical parallels. Despite this lineage, OpenDocument remains a separate format and is not directly compatible with the earlier OpenOffice.org XML standard. In 2005, OpenOffice.org (version 2.0) and StarOffice (version 8) adopted OpenDocument as their primary and default file format.
History
The development team behind StarOffice embraced XML to replace the older binary StarOffice file format. Initially, the specification draft was named the StarOffice XML File Format. The objective was to define an all-encompassing specification for every component of StarOffice and to establish an open standard applicable to office document formats.
File formats
This format relies on XML files that describe the content of documents, which are then compressed into archives identified by specific suffixes corresponding to their data type.
| Document type | Corresponding OpenOffice.org/StarOffice application | File extensions (templates in parentheses) | MIME types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text documents | Writer | sxw (stw) | application/vnd.sun.xml.writer application/vnd.sun.xml.writer.template |
| Spreadsheets | Calc | sxc (stc) | application/vnd.sun.xml.calc application/vnd.sun.xml.calc.template |
| Graphics | Draw | sxd (std) | application/vnd.sun.xml.draw application/vnd.sun.xml.draw.template |
| Presentations | Impress | sxi (sti) | application/vnd.sun.xml.impress application/vnd.sun.xml.impress.template |
| Mathematical formulas | Math | sxm | application/vnd.sun.xml.math |
| Master documents | Writer | sxg | application/vnd.sun.xml.writer.global |
| HTML documents | Writer | HTML (stw) | text/html application/vnd.sun.xml.writer.web |
Implementations
Prominent applications that support these file formats include:
- Abiword (SXW)
- Apache OpenOffice
- EditGrid Viewer (SXC)
- Gnumeric (SXC)
- Google Docs (import only for SXW)
- KOffice (SXW, SXC, SXI)
- LibreOffice (import support starting from version 4.3)
- OpenOffice.org
- StarOffice/Oracle Open Office
- SoftMaker Office 2006: TextMaker 2006 (import only for SXW), TextMaker Viewer (view only for SXW)
- Visioo-Writer (partial support)
- Zoho Office (SXW, SXC, SXI – supports viewing, editing, and conversion), including Zoho Viewer and the Zoho QuickRead browser plug-in
These implementations highlight widespread adoption across both desktop and cloud-based office suites, facilitating interoperability and effective document management within corporate settings.
See also
External links
- OpenOffice.org XML File Format — Official specification and general details
- Thinking XML: The open office file format — IBM technical resource (January 1, 2003)