CNET Editors' review
A credible rival to MS Office, OpenOffice.org includes powerful applications for making text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, diagrams, and databases, as well as HTML and XML documents. Not only does it let you edit basic documents, such as letters and faxes, it also handles equations and complex and multipart documents with bibliographies, reference tables, and indexes.
The interface is similar to that of MS Office, and even advanced Office users will find almost everything they're used to: templates, collaborative features (versions, recording changes), macros, and even a programming language. OOo, as it's known, lets you open and save documents in formats as diverse as MS Office formats, PDF, HTML, and XML. It can also import files from those formats, as well as WordPerfect and others. However, it normally saves files in the open-standard Oasis OpenDocument XML format, for maximum compatibility with other applications.
The latest versions of OpenOffice have seen a spurt of growth in the extensions available for the program. These include templates for professional writers, an export tool for bidirectional functionality with Google Docs, blog publishing, and others. Blog publishing assistance especially strikes us as a natural area for word processing to grow toward.
We were pleased to find that stability has improved too. No doubt about it, the multilingual and crossplatform OpenOffice.org is a compelling option for anyone in search of an alternative office suite.
Watch the CNET video review of OpenOffice.org:
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:
- Added locale data for Maithili (India)
- Added Yoruba (Nigeria) [yo-NG] to language list.
- Added Gikuyu (Kenya) [ki-KE] to language list.
- Added Rusyn (Slovakia) [rue-SK] and Rusyn (Ukraine) [rue-UA] to language list.
- Support for 'password to modify'. (Word 97 and Excel 97 binary documents only)
- Save file with password functionality needs to be extended by customer request. Beside the already implemented file encryption, an additional passwor... See all new features
More Popular Office Suites downloads
- Microsoft Office Word 2010
33,280 downloads
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15,195 downloads
- Microsoft Office 2010
13,866 downloads
- Kingsoft Office 2012
10,101 downloads
- PowerPoint Viewer 2007
6,774 downloads
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 1,847 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 244 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Very Good."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
Efficiency
Cons
None, ....
Summary
Very Good.
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"does it all!"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
Works smoothly and Handle's word ,no problems
Cons
None that I know of.
Summary
Great free office suite ! Thanks
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"Can't save in Excel versions post 2003 (.xlsx)"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
It's free.
It's comprehensive.Cons
Although it can open/edit xlsx files, it can't save them in that format. All the Excel file formats offered were up to Excel2003.
It also takes FOREVER to download, unpack and install. -
"A very good alternative."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
Very easy to use. Indeed a good alternative to Ms Office.
Cons
Fuss over creating oracle account. I don't know if one should really create the account.
Summary
Ms Office should step up they game because the are good alternatives like Kingsoft and Open Office.
Thank you Cnet. You guys indeed are doing a fantastic job with the gazillion apps on your site.
Updated on Jan 27, 2012 -
"It works every time I use it"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
Great spell check
Cons
Can't think of any.
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"Easy and expedient"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
Quuick and useful for a broad range of tasks
Cons
None as yet. Have used the spreadsheets and the document functions
Summary
Great tool for everyday use
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"Issues Abound"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
You can write a document out just fine and advanced formatting options like Microsoft Office.
Cons
I have this installed on two different computers and I CAN'T get the spelling checker to work. It's also limited in that there is no grammar checker that comes with it instead you have to download and extension and even that thing works shoddy at best.
Summary
Overall I am very frustrated with OpenOffice. Generally when I'm writing out a document or something I get most of it wrote out in WordPad due to it's un-bloated nature. But since it lacks any spell or grammar check I still have to have some other word processor. I don't really want to install the overly bloated Microsoft Office 2010. So I tried Open Office.....Yeah it's okay........but it could be better. IN FACT Firefox is better at spell checking then OpenOffice If that says anything.
Yeah, tried TinyWord. It would spell check some stuff but not others, and AbiWord had just one to many crash reports for my tastes. I'll keep looking.
Updated on Jan 20, 2012 -
"Easy to use"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
None at all
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"Works quite well and I am very impressed with it!"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
compatible with Word and other word processing and office documents. Free is a definite bonus.
Cons
had a few hiccups with OpenOffice Impress, and I wish that there were more features offered with Writer, such as Thesaurus.
Summary
Great product. Not sure why you offer it for free, but I'm definitely not complaining!!!!
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"Why give Microsoft even more money?"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.3
Pros
It has everything Microsoft Office has, and it's free!
Cons
None that I can come up with.
Summary
Why pay a small fortune for Microsoft's Office when Open Office has everything you'll ever need and more. It also has a great selection of templates. You can save files in various formats. Reads everything created with Microsoft's Office. Has a free tool to export text to a pdf file.
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