Sun ODF Plug-in for Microsoft Word

[Geoff]

Microsoft Word users now can easily import and export to the OpenDocument Format.

The StarOffice 8 Conversion Technology Preview, a plug-in for Microsoft Word 2003 that allows users of Microsoft Word 2003 to read, edit and save to the OpenDocument Format (ODF) is now available.

Click here to download the plug-in at no charge.

This initial plug-in application will support the conversion of text documents (.doc/.odt) only and full support of spreadsheet and presentation documents will be available in the final version, expected in April. The converter is easy to setup and use, the conversion happens transparently and the additional memory footprint is minimal. Microsoft Word users now can have seamless two-way conversion of Microsoft Word's documents to and from ODF.

[Midget]

YAY! They finally realised they have to work WITH MSOffice to increase their userbase.

[MrHipwell]

Tried the location above. No longer works.

Try here instead (31.7 Mb download):

http://www.sun.com/download/index.js...20Productivity

[Ric_]

Novell's version of OpenOffice (see http://go-oo.org/ ) has support to open Open XML files now.

[Alis_Klar]

I'm gonna install this on all my image build from now on. Quite a few kids bring in ODF files from home but fail to see the save as word option so we end up converting them. Same goes for the MS Open XML (Office 2007) converter for MS Office 2003.

[CyberNerd]

To set ODF as default (in 2003)

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options]

"DefaultFormat"="ODF"

in a login script or when deploying with the deployment kit

[enjay]

So, the million dollar question is has anyone tried distributing this yet?

[CyberNerd]

yes. its site wide

[enjay]

yes. its site wide

Want to share how you did it? Any tips/tricks/gotchas?

[CyberNerd]

It was deployed as part of an upgrade to Office2003 in line with Bectas recommendation. Mixed bag really, some teachers have turned it off (default) because they have MSOffice at home and wouldn't install the plugin on their home machines, some confusion sending documents to other schools. Nothing insurmountable and probably less epic than a MOOXML migration. OpenOffice is installed for students -so from this respect students can send odt's to staff better. We have a mix of ODT .DOC files on site ( as we do with other formats, .jpg,gif,png). Paving the way for a standards based office suite.

[bjohnny42]

So were a bit behind the times.... Still running Office 2003 before moving onto 2010 this summer. Recently we've been faced with a number of students coming in with ODF format files. I can't seem to see any of these "Sun" add-ons since open office has gone through many owners. Does anyone still have it?

[enjay]

What application are they bringing ODF files in from? Is there anything more friendly they could use instead?

Not knowing the numbers involved, could you whack Office 2010 on all IT Support computers (although I'd have thought if you're doing a summer deployment, you already have it) and have you guys convert the files for those kids who forget to save in the right format?

[CyberNerd]

just send out libreoffice as an MSI install.
At least if students are using it at home then they have the option of using it in school.