The Open XML/ODF translator for word processing documents for the Novell edition of OpenOffice.org was made available for download late last week.
The first deliverable resulting from the technical collaboration between Microsoft and Novell, the translator provides support for opening and saving Microsoft Open XML-formatted word processing documents (.docx) in OpenOffice.org. ODF is the OpenDocument format, which is supported by OpenOffice.org, and Open XML is the default file format for Microsoft Office 2007. With the translator, end users will be able to more easily share files between Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, as documents better maintain consistent formats, formulas and style templates across the two office productivity suites.
Novell is cooperating with Microsoft and others on an open source project to create the bi-directional translator for documents, spreadsheets and presentations. We're still hard at it on the translator project, working to extend the interoperability to spreadsheets and presentations.
Where can I get the SLED version OpenOffice.org with the translator?
Tim … although you can get the translator at download.novell.com, the Novell edition of OpenOffice.org isn't packaged separately there. It's included in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, which can be downloaded here: http://www.novell.com/products/desktop/eval.html
I tried this in the latest Stable release 2.1 for Mac OS X…
I don't think the Mac X11 OpenOffice 2.1 release version is supported here.
Just a note to those that may try.
Will Novell release and odfconverter RPM that is compatible with the OpenOffice.org Open Office 2.2? Any idea when xlsx support will be added? Thanks.
Harley,
Novell is not yet providing supported RPMs for OpenOffice.org 2.2. As soon as we do, we will make an ODF converter available for it. It's possible we will skip 2.2 and concentrate instead on the 2.2.1 release.
Re: xlsx support, Novell is actively working on a better way to provide support for OpenXML documents. It will share code between .doc / RTF / OpenXML import filters. Our current roadmap calls for a release with support of xlsx by the end of 2007.
Is the conversion tool open source?
I'm worried about Novell's partnership with Microsoft. As a result, I'm moving from Suse 10.2 to Ubuntu 7.04.
Great point and very interesting food for thought. I'm not sure I have any clients I can replicate this with, but will bear in mind for the future. Regards
Great post Jon! I have been following the #p2 effort since you started it, and although I have understood its purpose this post does a really great job solidifying the full rationale.