Migrating to Apache OpenOffice
- Introduction
- Sharing Files with Microsoft Office Users
- Importing other Microsoft Office Files
- General Differences in Use between OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office
- Differences in Use between Writer and Word
- Differences in Use between Calc and Excel
- Differences in Use between Impress and PowerPoint
- Customizing OpenOffice.org
What is Apache OpenOffice?
ApacheOpenOffice (AOO) is a freely-available, full-featuredofficesuite. It includes the following components.
Writer (word processor)
Writer is a feature-rich tool for creating letters, books, reports, newsletters, brochures,and other documents. You can insert graphics and objects from other components into Writer documents. Writer can export files to HTML,XHTML, XML, Adobe’s Portable Document Format(PDF), and several versions of Microsoft Word files. It also connects to your email client.
Calc (spreadsheet)
Calc has all of the advanced analysis, charting and decision-making features expected from a high-end spreadsheet. It includes over 300 functions for financial, statistical and mathematical operations among others. The Scenario Manager provides “what if” analyses. Calc generates 2-D and 3-D charts, which can be integrated into other AOO documents. You can also open and work with Microsoft Excel workbooks and save them in Excel format. Calc can export spread sheets to Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF) and to HTML.
Impress (presentation graphics)
Impress provides all the common multi-media presentation tools, such as special effects,animation, and drawing tools. It is integrated with the advanced graphics capabilities of the Draw and Math components.Slideshows can be further enhanced with Fontwork’s special effectstext, as well assound and video clips. Impress is compatible with Microsoft’sPowerPoint file format, and can save your work innumerous graphicsformats including Macromedia Flash (SWF).
Draw (vector graphics)
Draw is a vector drawingtool that can produce everything from simple diagrams or flowchartsto 3-D artwork. Its Smart Connectors feature allows you to defineyour own connection points. You can use Draw to create drawings foruse in any of AOO’s other components, and you can create your ownclipart and add it to the Gallery. Draw can import graphics from manycommon formats and save them in over 20 formats including PNG, HTML,PDF and Flash.
Base (database)
Base offers tools forday-to-day database work within a simple interface.It can create andedit forms, reports, queries, tables, views andrelations, so managinga connected database is much the same as in other popular databaseapplications. Base provides many new features,such as the ability toanalyze and edit relationships from a diagram view. Base incorporatesHSQLDB as its default relational databaseengine. It can also usedBASE, Microsoft Access, MySQL or Oracle, or any ODBC or JDBCcompliant database. Base also provides support for asubset of ANSI-92SQL.
Math (formula editor)
Math is AOO’s formula orequation editor. You can use it to create complex equations thatinclude symbols or characters not available in standard font sets.While it is most commonly used to create formulas in other documents,such as Writer and Impress files, Math can also work as a stand-alonetool. You can save formulas in the standard Mathematical MarkupLanguage (MathML) format for inclusion in webpages and otherdocuments not created by AOO.
What are the advantages of Apache OpenOffice?
Hereare some of the advantages of Apache OpenOffice over otherofficesuites:
- No licensing fees. AOO is free for anyone to use anddistribute at no cost. Many features that are available as extra costadd-ins in other office suites (like PDF export) are free with AOO.There are no hidden charges and all future upgrades are free.
- Open source. You can distribute, copy, and modify the softwareas much as you wish, in accordance with AOO's Open Source license.
- Cross-platform. AOO 4.0 runs on several hardware architecturesand under multiple operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows,MacOS X, Linux, and Sun Solaris.
- Extensive language support. AOO’s user interface isavailable in over 40 languages and the AOO project provides spelling,hyphenation and thesuarus dictionaries in over 70 languages anddialects. AOO also provides support for both Complex Text Layout(CTL)and Right to Left (RTL) layout languages (such as Hindi, Hebrew andArabic).
- Consistent user interface. All the components haveasimilar “look and feel”, making them easy to use and master.
- Integration. The components of Apache OpenOffice are wellintegrated with one another.
- All the components share a common spelling checker and othertools,which are used consistently across the suite. For example, thedrawing tools available in Writer are also found in Calc, withsimilar but enhanced versions in Impress and Draw.
- You do not need to know which application was used to createaparticular file (for example, you can open a Draw file from Writer).
- Granularity. Usually, if you change an option, it affects allcomponents. However, options can be set at a component level or evendocument level.
- File compatibility. AOO includes PDF and Flash exportcapabilities, as well as support for opening and saving files in manycommon formats including Microsoft Office, HTML, XML, Word Perfectand Lotus 123 formats.
- No vendor lock-in. AOO 4.0 uses OpenDocument, anXML(eXtensible Markup Language) file format developed as an industrystandard by OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of StructuredInformation Standards). These files can easily be unzipped and readby any text editor, and their framework is open and published.
- You have a voice. Enhancements, software fixes andreleasedates are community-driven. You can join the community andaffect thecourse of the product you use.
You can read more about Apache OpenOffice, its mission,history,licensing and other organizational information here:http://www.ApacheOpenOffice/about.html
How does Apache OpenOffice compare?
Apache OpenOffice can match and exceed the feature set of competingofficesuites. The following table lists the main components of AOOandcompares them with their equivalents in two leading officesuites,Microsoft Office 2003 (MSO) and WordPerfect Office X3(WP).
| Function | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Word processor | Writer | Word® | WordPerfect® X3 |
| Spreadsheet | Calc | Excel® | Quattro Pro® X3 |
| Vector Graphics | Draw | no | no |
| Presentation Graphics | Impress | PowerPoint® | Presentations™ X3 |
| Database | Base | Access® 1 | Paradox® 2 |
| Math or Formula Editor | Math | yes | no |
1Professional version only.
2Professional and Student and Teachereditions only.
Features
The following tables list some important features of Apache OpenOffice and compare them with two leading office suites,Microsoft Office (MSO) and WordPerfect X3 (WP).
Styles and formatting
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator | |||
| Styles and Formatting window | |||
| Keyboard support for paragraph styles | |||
| Support for page, frame, and list styles | |||
| Word completion | |||
| Spelling and language proofing modules | |||
| Formula or equation tools |
1“Outline View” in Word offers a subset ofthefeatures of AOO’s Navigator.
2Requires an additional license for the theMultilingual User Interface Pack.
Interoperability
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF export capability | |||
| Flash export capability | |||
| XML export capability | |||
| OpenDocument XML format | |||
| Import/Export Microsoft Office files | |||
| Import WordPerfect files | |||
| Import Lotus 123 files | |||
| Connect to external databases (MySQL, Oracle, Access, etc.) | |||
| Languages available (localizations) | |||
| Supported operating systems | |||
| Unicode language support |
1Requires additional third-party software,such as PDF Writer orPDF Converter.2Microsoft Office: Macis not feature compatible with MicrosoftOffice 2003.
Programmability
Macrosare programs which automate tasks and can be embedded in adocument.The following table lists the languages available formacrodevelopment in each office suite.
| Language | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic-derived language | |||
| Beanshell | |||
| Java | |||
| JavaScript | |||
| Python |
Beyond simple macros, some office suites can be extended to include new features. This capability usually takes the form of plug-ins. In the case of Apache OpenOffice, it can also be done through changes to the source code.
| Feature |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
| C and C++ | |||
| Java | |||
| Python | |||
| Source code available! |
Security
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital signatures | |||
| Strong encryption | |||
| Secure paths for macro execution |
New features in version 4
Apache OpenOffice 4.0 delivers hundreds of improvements and new features.Here are some of the major enhancements.
What are the minimum requirements?
ApacheOpenOffice 4.0 requires one of the following operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2 or higher),Windows XP or Windows 2003, Windows 7 and Windows 8
- GNU/Linux Kernel version 2.2.13 and glibc 2.4.0 or newer
- Mac OS X 10.3.x (10.3.5 recommended), Mac OS X 10.4.x, plusX11
- Solaris version 8 or higher
Some Apache OpenOffice features (wizards and the databasecomponent)require that the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) beinstalled on yourcomputer. Although AOO will work fine without Javasupport, some features will not be available. You can download thelatest versionfrom http://www.java.com.
Fora more detailed (and up-to-date) listing of requirements,see:[1][2]
How do I get the software?
Youcan get the Apache OpenOffice installation package in any oftheseways:
- Download a copy from the project’s home page:http://www.openoffice.org.
- Download a copy using the Peer to Peer client, BitTorrent.Theinstructions are here:[3].
- Purchase a copy on a CD-ROM or other digital form from a third partydistributor.
- The Apache OpenOffice Porting Project has links to versions of the software that have been, or are currently being “ported” to run under various operating systems.http://porting.openoffice.org/index.html.
How do I install Apache OpenOffice?
Informationon installing and setting up Apache OpenOffice on thevarious supported operating systems is given here:http://download.openoffice.org/common/instructions.html
Youcan also download the more detailed Setup Guide (in several languages) fromhttp://documentation.openoffice.org/setup_guide2/index.html
How do I get support?
AOO comes with an extensive Help system. This is your first line of support for using AOO.
To display the full Help system, press F1 or select ApacheOpenOffice Help from the Help menu. In addition, you can choosewhether to activate tooltips, extended tips, and the Help Agent(usingTools > Options > General).
If tooltips are enabled, place the mouse pointer over any of theiconsto see a small box (“tooltip”) with a brief explanation ofthe icon’s function. For a more detailed explanation, selectHelp > What's This? and hold the pointer over the icon.
Free online support
The Apache OpenOffice community not only develops software, butprovides free, volunteer-based support. Users of AOO can getcomprehensive online support from community venues such asnewsgroups, forums or mailing lists. There are also numerous websitesrun by users that offer free tips and tutorials.
| Free Apache OpenOffice support | |
|---|---|
| User FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions for Users |
| Users Mailing List | subscribe]
Listarchives are here: [Edit needed] |
| Documentation Project | Templates, user guides, how-tos, and otherdocumentation.[4] |
| Edit needed]
| |
| The Apache OpenOffice Forum | Edit needed |
| AOO KnowledgeBase | A collection of questions and answers that users canquery.[5] |
Readmore about the support options for Apache OpenOffice at:http://support.openoffice.org/index.html
Paid support and training
Alternatively,you can pay for support services. Service contracts can be purchased from a vendor or consulting firm specializing in Apache OpenOffice.
A list of independent consultants and the services they offer, listed alphabetically by region and then by country, is provided on the Apache OpenOffice website. (Edit needed)
Other resources and addons
Several websites provide additional free resources and addons to enhance Apache OpenOffice. The following table lists a few of these websites.
| Free AOO templates, artwork and other addons | |
|---|---|
| OOExtras | Provides templates, samples and macros in severallanguages.[6] |
| AOOMacros | A repository for AOO macros and addons, and documentation about writing macros and/or extending AOO.ooomacros.org |
| Open Clip Art Library | An archive of clip art that can be used for free for anyuse.openclipart.org |
| Apache OpenOffice Macro Information | Andrew Pitonyak, the author of Apache OpenOffice Macros Explained, maintains this site which provides extensive documentation on AOO's macro capability. Many good referral links are also provided at:http://www.pitonyak.org/oo.php |
What is involved in the initial migration?
Sharing files
SeeSharing Files with Microsoft Office Users in this guide for information about opening and saving files of various formats.
How do I import other files used in Microsoft Office?
SeeImporting other Microsoft Office Files in this guide for information about importing custom dictionaries, AutoCorrect entries and AutoText entries into Apache OpenOffice.
What changes do I need to make in the way that I work?
While the interfaces of Apache OpenOffice and Microsoft Office are sufficiently similar to allow immediate productivity, they are not identical. Some functions are based on different underlying concepts.The chapters in this guide will to help you with these differences.
In general what is different in use between Microsoft Office and Apache OpenOffice?
SeeGeneral Differences in Use between Apache OpenOffice and Microsoft Office in this guide first, as it gives an overall view of differences; the other chapters build on the information presented in that chapter.
What are the specific differences in use between Word and Writer?
SeeDifferences in Use between Writer and Word in this guide for specific information related to text documents.
What are the specific differences in use between Excel and Calc?
See Differences in Use between Calc and Excel in this guideforspecific information related to spreadsheets.
What are the specific differences in use between PowerPointandImpress?
See Differences in Use between Impress and PowerPointin this guide for specific information related to presentations.
How can I change Apache OpenOffice to make it work even more like the way I have worked in Microsoft Office?
SeeCustomizing Apache OpenOffice in this guide for information about changing Apache OpenOffice to make it work your way. That chapter includes links to macros that were written to help ease the transition.
How do I use the Math Object editor (Apache OpenOffice’s equivalent to Equation Editor)?
SeeMathObjectsin theWriterGuide.
What about that database functionality?
SeeGetting Started with Base in theGetting Started Guide, andtheDatabaseGuidefor details on the new Base component of Apache OpenOffice.
Is there an equivalent to WordArt?
Yes.See Chapter 15 “Using Fontwork” in the Getting Startedguide.
What are the issues when migrating from WordPerfect to Writer?
Can I open WordPerfect files in AOO?
Yes,a WordPerfect filter is now available in the standard ApacheOpenOffice installation.
How is Apache OpenOffice licensed?
Apache OpenOffice is distributed under the Open Source Initiative(OSI)approved Apache Licence Vers. 2, (ALV2). License information can be viewed on the Apache website at:Apache License Page
For more general information on AOO’s licensing, please refer to: http://www.openoffice.org/license.html.
What is “open source”?
The ideals of open-source software can be explained by the four essential rights, which are embodied within the Free Software Foundation’sGeneral Public License (GPL):
- The right to use the software for any purpose.
- Freedom to redistribute the software for free or for a fee.
- Access to the complete source code of the program (that is,the“blueprints”).
- The right to modify any part of the source, or use portions of it in other programs.
Another view of this philosophy comes from the Open Source Definition:
“The basic idea behind open source is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it,people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development,seems astonishing.”
For more information on Free and Open Source software, visit these websites:
OpenSource Initiative (OSI):http://www.opensource.org
FreeSoftware Foundation (FSF): http://www.gnu.org
| Content on this page is licensed under the Creative Common Attribution 3.0 license (CC-BY). |
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