- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: June 30, 2006
- Total Downloads: 1,769,760
- Downloads last week: 13,741
- See full specifications
A newer version of OpenOffice.org is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1152 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
An increasingly 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 complex and multipart documents with bibliographies, reference tables, and indexes.
The interface is similar to that of MS Office users, 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. OpenOffice.org lets you open and save documents in formats as diverse as MS Office, PDF, HTML, and XML. However, it normally saves files in the open-standard Oasis OpenDocument XML format, for maximum compatibility with other applications. We were pleased to find that stability has improved too. No doubt about it, OpenOffice.org is a compelling option for anyone in search of an alternative office suite.
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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. Version 2.0.3 offers enhanced compatibility with Office files, new email integration, and improved language support.
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User reviews of OpenOffice.org 2.0.3
- Average user rating: 4.4 stars out of 1152 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 76 user reviewsSee all 76 user reviews
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98 out of 103 people found this review helpful
Version: OpenOffice.org 2.0.3
Pros: I won't repeat what's been covered in Cnet's review. I'll just say that I've used MS Office for years, and I agree that OpenOffice is a credible alternative.
It is not a feature-for-feature clone of MS Office, but OpenOffice should be more than adequate for anyone who isn't using some of the more obscure or "advanced" features of MS Office.
Not that OpenOffice doesn't have plenty of advanced features of its own. I would think it's plenty capable of handling the tasks that even most business users would throw at it.
I've used OOo Writer to compose, edit, and share some fairly complex legal documents. Even editing a book manuscript, sent to me in Word format with change-tracking. I've used it on spreadsheets and PowerPoint-type presentations, and it did everything I needed it to do.
With its OpenDocument file formats, its ability to read and write MS Office files, and its PDF export, I have easily shared documents and files with users of other software and operating systems.
I'll admit some OpenOffice fans might get a little overly enthused at times, but when you get somthing this good and useful for free, it's hard not to. Anyone in need of good office software should try OpenOffice first.
Cons: Compared to MS Office and WordPerfect, OpenOffice is short on "wizards" and pre-made templates.
Not really a "con", but a note:
OOo is often pitched as a replacement for MS Office. If you plan to work with a lot of existing DOC, XLS, and PPT files, remember that MS Office file formats are proprietary. Only the latest version of Office itself can be expected to open 100% or them, 100% of the time, with 100% accuracy. If my own experience is anywhere near typical though, most users will have few or no problems.
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21 out of 24 people found this review helpful
Version: OpenOffice.org 2.0.3
"FREE !! WOW ! An office suite this good? i want this baby !"
Pros: First thing first for home purpose and even for small business this baby rocks. Small installation and download size makes it ideal. unlike the previous version this version is much faster and highly compatible with MS office files. Moreover there are certain features not included in MS office like pdf creator , find n replace feature is simply flawless. overall this product is worth trying , i am using this suite and i seriously recommend it.
Cons: Just a minor flaw that there is little support for Word macros or Excel tables , although most of word/exel documents are easily handeled by this version. plus there is no grammer checker also. but considering it a freeware these flaws can be ignored.
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13 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Version: OpenOffice.org 2.0.3
"It's like MS Office, but free!"
Pros: Truly a great program! Not exact clones, but close enough. They've picked up all of the main features, and even though it's not as good as MS Office, it's close enough. And what do you expect? It's free. Truly a must for people who don't have MS Office.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: OpenOffice.org 2.0.3
Pros: Easy learning curve; many features; free; biggest one: works seamlessly with .doc, .ppt, .xls spreadsheets. This is a great free solution for college students.
Cons: Still has a bunch of minor glitches that need to be ironed out (just funny little quirks--like the auto complete is a bit odd and I can't find some important features that were in Excel). I certainly wouldn't pay a lot for this program, but I think it's great for those that can't upgrade to an MS suite.
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10 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Version: OpenOffice.org 2.0.3
Pros: OpenOffice.org is amzing. If you dont have MS office get this. Even if you have it try this. Its just like MS office.
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