Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Apache OpenOffice.org is the free open-source productivity suite that rivals Microsoft's Office suite, the business world's standard. OpenOffice.org is compatible with most Office documents and many other file types. Like Office, it's a collection of powerful tools, but you don't have to install all its modules. The latest version of OpenOffice.org supports Windows 8.
The OpenOffice.org installer's custom option lets users choose which Program Modules to install from Writer, Calc, Draw, Impress, Base, and Math, plus shared Optional Components. During setup, we chose to make OpenOffice.org our default program for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. OpenOffice.org comes with a lot of support in the form of Help files and other documentation as well as a huge community of users and developers. And, while its tools aren't Office clones, users who are familiar with Word, Excel, and other Office tools will find their OpenOffice.org counterparts easy to understand.
Clicking the OpenOffice.org icon produced a quick-start page that let us open documents, spreadsheets, formulas, and databases. We started with a new document in Writer, the suite's word processor. We quickly created a document and clicked Save to see our options. Writer offered 12 choices, including its proprietary ODF file format (.odt) as well as four Word standards, HTML, text, text encoded, and rich text. Not every format is completely compatible, though. Nevertheless, Writer offers as much as any top word processor. Impress is a presentation wizard, while Draw is a capable graphics editor. Calc is OpenOffice.org's Excel-compatible spreadsheet tool, and Base generates and accesses databases via the Database Wizard. Math is one of OpenOffice.org's advantages over Office: it's a standalone equation editor that can also insert formulas as objects into Writer.
One thing OpenOffice.org lacks that Office has is an integrated e-mail client like Outlook. But OpenOffice.org is compatible with a wide range of e-mail clients, including Mozilla Thunderbird, which many OpenOffice.org users recommend for use with the suite. Still, count us among those who'd like a fully integrated OpenOffice.org e-mail client. In any case, it's hard to find fault with anything OpenOffice.org does, especially since every bit of it is free.
OpenOffice.org - Get an open-source office productivity suite - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From OpenOffice.org:
OpenOffice.org is both an open-source product and a project. The product is a multiplatform office productivity suite. It includes desktop applications such as a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation manager, and a drawing program, with a user interface and feature set similar to those of other office suites. OpenOffice.org also works transparently with a variety of file formats, including those of Microsoft Office. Localizations of OpenOffice.org are available in 27 languages, with more being constantly added by the community. OpenOffice.org runs on Solaris, Linux (including PPC Linux), and Windows. Written in C++ and with documented APIs licensed under the LGPL and SISSL open-source protocols, OpenOffice.org allows any knowledgeable developer to benefit from the source.
What's new in this version: Version 3.4.1 includes Finnish, British English, and Khmer languages and fixed extension cleanup and auto update check now re-enabled by default.
More Products to Consider
-
Take a suite of essential everyday software tools wherever you ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create presentations, math equations, and export your documents...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Improve your credit score.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create and share content with the help of a comprehensive set o...Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Transform CHM files into printable HTML documents.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Read e-mail and news the way you want it, with intelligent junk...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Search your hard disk and Registry for threats to your security...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Create scripts for use with AutoCAD Release 14.Download
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install - Show the high cost of a low credit score and illustrate what ca...Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Open-source office productivity suite with Microsoft Office com...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Recover corrupted OpenOffice Writer documents.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Recover corrupted OpenOffice Calc spreadsheets.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Detect and quickly remove malicious threats to your computer.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create a meeting agenda in Word from an Outlook appointment.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Convert your documents to flash presentation via print function...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create e-books easily.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Solve problems found in Exchange 5.5 Store.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Play MPEG-4 movies with AAC sound with latest version of Apple'...Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Open, edit, and save files using the new file formats in 2007 v...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Complete frequently typed words and phrases automatically.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Write compelling and effective press releases.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Automatically defragment disk, speed up computer in minutes.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Save any Web page as a standard MHT Web archive file.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Track nutrients, vitamins and minerals you use every day and wh...Download
Installed
Smart Install
-
All versions:
4.3 starsout of 1,950 votes
-
Current version:
3.2 starsout of 52 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Apache OpenOffice Base is junk"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Works great as long as your not using large databases in Base
Cons
Base does not like large databases.
Summary
Older OpenOffice works better with Databases. Use 3.3 for all databases.
-
"A love-hate relationship"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Right of course, it is a wonderful, fully featured and all encompassing suite. It is not the first time I have made the download. Over the years, through various versions, I have downloaded, used awhile and uninstalled the program. No doubt I will do the routine over and over for the foreseeable future. I use it and decide it takes up more space and resources than I judge worthy of it, and so I uninstall it and use some other programs for the while until I feel the urge to have that suite of dreams vacationing on my hard drive again.
Cons
Some times it seems to have conflicts in formatting which become permanent. More of that story another time. It is kind of a large program and almost seems to want to exist as a suite rather than stand alone units. It should, it does, but yet it somehow ends up wanting the whole family around. More than I can eat at the buffet!
-
"Wonderful Free Program"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
All of the functions work well. Perfect for kids and most of us who don't care about it being MSFT.
Cons
I really couldn't find any.
-
"Doesn't do what it says on the tin"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
None... apart from the fact it's free, of course.
Cons
Didn't port font sizes across correctly, made its own mind up about margins, etc, for existing Word documents and messed up the pagination.
Footnotes are out to lunch - sometimes in a REALLY BIG FONT, sometimes freakishly small, mostly in the same font size as the main body, despite the fact that, in the original docx file, the footnote font sizes are consistent and much smaller than main body text.
Menus are more like old-school Office2003/7. If you're OK with that, then good, but if you've become used to the ribbon, then not so much.Summary
This has been installed, tried and uninstalled within 30 minutes. That's half an hour that I won't get back. If this review either (a) gets OpenOffice.org to address the issues or (b) saves you, the reader from wasting your time, then taking another 5 minutes out of my life to write this will have been worthwhile.
Yes, I know it's free, and the people that have written it are awesomely clever, but it's not as "transparent" (their description, not mine) as the OpenOffice blurb above would have one believe.
I suppose that, if you're not switching across from MS Office, then using this from the start would be fine but it does not appear to be a direct replacement... yet. -
"Stopped working after Vista"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Very easy to use without extended learning. Flexible and forgiving. Full range of "bells and whistles." While it was working.
Cons
When is was working, none.
Summary
After upgrading from Vista none of the modules would work. I do see, however, that not everyone has this problem. Downloaded and installed (after wiping program, cleaning registry and restarting) current version several times. No good. After several months of using clunky MS software I installed LebreOffice, which, I believe, uses the same core, and my problem was solved.
-
"Open Office is OK for a freeware version word program"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
It does OK for a freeware.
Lacks an easy interface.Cons
not as feature rich as Word 2007, and a bit confusing to use. Seems a bit on the bloated side.
-
"Solves My Problems with Win8"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Been having pains with using Win8 for 2 months since my MS'03 Office would not work on it. After expressing this pain, my daughter finally tells me about OpenOffice.org. Now I can actually use my Christmas gift with less heartburn. Saves me the forced buy Win8 was making to upgrade MSOffice. Also, I don't miss MS Outlook. I'm not a fan of that either. I really appreciate the access to this program. Works like a dream and saved all the old files I thought were lost forever. I was thinking of switching to Win7 to undo the mess Win8 created for me. I will continue to work with Win8 now. I want to thank the developer[s] of OpenOffice.org 3.4.1. If asked, I will sing their praises.
Cons
Can't find any.
Summary
The best multi-platform office productivity suite I've seen in a long time. I recommend anyone to give it a try if they are fighting the new MS Window 8. Saves time and money as well as old MS office files!
-
"Seems as good as Microsoft Office"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Does everything I need Office programs to do.
Cons
Haven't found any yet.
-
"A good idea"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Potential to be an excellent free program.
Cons
Keeps crashing every time I log into my computer, And when ever I try to access the program.
Summary
Need to fix the crash that happens when I open my computer and when ever I try to access the program. It all started doing this with the update back in November 2012.
Once the program is fixed then I will start using it again. -
"Hate to lose this program."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
I've used Open Office for a very long time and preferred it over the expensive alternatives. It offered everything I needed in an office suite.
Cons
Not compatible with my new computer and Windows 7
Summary
Downloaded and installed 4 times thinking my internet connection might be at fault. Started researching and found that the new version is just not up to the quality previously offered. I will miss the program but I'm in the process of exploring other alternatives.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
