1.2 OpenOffice

OpenOffice is a cross-platform suite of office applications including a word processor, presentation and spreadsheet applications, an HTML editor, and a drawing tool. This version of OpenOffice is extensively compatible with Microsoft Office, allowing you to better share files between platforms. It provides capabilities for creating, processing, reviewing, and revising the documents required in daily business.

OpenOffice also exports documents in Adobe* portable document format (PDF) and allows font matching when opening documents originally composed in Microsoft Office.

1.2.1 Starting OpenOffice

The OpenOffice Suite should be installed on your desktop.

You can access OpenOffice from the icon on your desktop or from the list of applications installed on your computer. When the file is open, you can begin writing your document, spreadsheet, or presentation.

  • OpenOffice Writer equivalent to Microsoft Word

  • OpenOffice Base equivalent to Microsoft Access

  • OpenOffice Impress equivalent to Microsoft PowerPoint*

  • OpenOffice Calc equivalent to Microsoft Excel*

1.2.2 Saving Files

OpenOffice is much the same as other office applications. To save a file, you click File > Save.

OpenOffice saves files in the OpenDocument format by default unless you manually choose another option. If you find that you consistently need to save in another format, such as MSWord (.doc), you can change this default with the following procedure:

  1. Click Tools > Options > Load/Save > General.

  2. In the Default file format section, choose the Documentation type you will be working in, then choose the document format you want to use from the Always save as drop-down menu.

  3. Click OK to save your changes.

1.2.3 Sharing Files with Microsoft Office Users

With OpenOffice, you can simply save your documents in the Microsoft Office format so that Microsoft Office users can easily share documents.

1.2.4 Helpful Links

For further information on how to use the OpenOffice Suite, see OpenOffice documentation.