Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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.
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:
- Improved startup speed
- Support for Microsoft Office 2007 files
- Encryption support for Microsoft Word 97, 2000, XP files
- Database forms now support zooming
- Impress supports comments
- Import pivot tables from Microsoft Excel 2007 documents
- Improved sort, cell merging, and complex copy and paste features in Calc
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 1,951 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 190 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"VALUE FOR MONEY"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
SOFTWARE IS A VALUE FOR MONEY AND NEED FOR EVERYONE. GOOD FEATURES. MAJOR PDF WRITER WHICH MICROSOFT IS NOT SUPPORTING. DOWNLOAD FEATURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
Cons
THOUGH SLOW IN SPEED, BUT NOT A MAJOR ISSUE
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"Great free MS Office replacement"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
1. Powerful applications
2. Complete feature-set
3. Is open sourceCons
None so far
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"What are you waiting for?"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
1. Free, Free, Free.
2. No worries about license expiry or limitations on use.Cons
1. Startup speed is nowhere near ms office 2010.
2. Urgent need for UI upgrade, my frnds complain that i am using software which is decades behind office 2010.Summary
Of all the open source softwares, open office is the most important, as it is needed by anyone who has a comp. It has huge potential for growth, and its still lagging behind office in innovation, Still it is unarguably the most needed Open source product out there.
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"Why use anything else?"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
Does everything I want a word processor or spreadsheet to do.
Cons
Can be a bit slow to learn at times
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"Great free office suite."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
FREE! All in one office suite.
Cons
Conversion to Office is not as seamless as the developers make it seem.
Summary
Great to use as a free stand alone office suite. I highly recommend the product for someone who does not want to spend hundreds of dollars for a office suite to use for household projects. The conversion from this software to Office is not so seamless. You have to have the Microsoft software installed on you computer to convert from some Open Office file types to Office file types. Saving is not a one click action either. There are weird file types that you can save to that I had never heard of before. And the programs can interfere if you use both Open Office and Office on a regular basis. Try it and you will see. I recommend you use either this product or Office, not both.
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"Can't argue about the price"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
easy to use ans has everything you need
Cons
there is no problem that I have found
Summary
I have used this program for a few years now.It has all the programs I need .
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"Very limited uses. Some difficulty learning to make doc"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
Was able to convert my MS Works document to send to someone who only has OpenOffice.
Cons
Only opens Word, Works or Power Point docs.
Doesn't open MS Publisher and some of my projects work best in Publisher.
Other programs haven't been able to open documents created in OpenOffice.Summary
Very limited uses.My MS Office Word program converts other versions of Word for me so only use it to send documents to one person who only uses OpenOffice. The document I produced in it for them had to be redone in MS Works to forward to someone else.
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"Superior to MS Office"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
More intuitive interface than MS Office. Export to PDF. Supports MS format types like .DOC. Great free plugins and addons.
Cons
None. There used to be problem with .otf font types in PDF export but that was fixed in version 1.3.
Summary
I own MS Office but am uninstalling it on my second machine. Open Office rules!
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"much better than the one you have to pay for"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
easier to access all applications from one screen. The recent docs is also a bonus as it shows all types at one time
Cons
Doesn't have much clip-art
Summary
I like the fact that I only need one screen to open all types of document instead of having to hunt around for the right program. The password is also a bonus, great for keeping business docs away from children who have a habit of hitting delete.
I would have liked clipart, it's most likely out there somewhere I just haven't found it yet. -
"The best that money can not buy !!"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.2.0
Pros
An objective evaluation will show you that this suite will handle about 98% of all your office needs. Check it out for yourself. We saved thousands of dollars.
Cons
We cannot find a single problem. One of the best products in the world.
Summary
Excellent alternative to the M$ monopoly.
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