OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org 3 is an Open Source office suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more.
"OpenOffice.org 3 is the result of over twenty years software engineering. Designed from the start as a single piece of software, it has a consistency other products cannot match. A completely open development process means that anyone can report bugs, request new features, or enhance the software. The result: OpenOffice.org 3 does everything you want your office software to do, the way you want it to."
- OpenOffice.org Community
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OpenOffice.org...
- Easy to use
- Compatible with Microsoft Office
- Open, edit & save Word, Excel & Powerpoint files
- For Home, Business and Educational use
- Hundreds of document templates available
- Create PDF files without any additional software
- Customer Support through our forums
Is OpenOffice a genuine alternative to Microsoft Office and other office suites?
Yes, OOo provides everything you could want from an office suite: a flexible word processor, powerful spreadsheets and charts, dynamic graphics, databases and more. It's great for home, business, commercial or educational use. It's affordable and easy to use.
In many ways it is similar to Microsoft Office and you will quickly get used to the slight differences. In fact many people prefer OOo, finding it a better quality and more flexible product.
Will I find OpenOffice difficult to use if I'm not technically minded?
OpenOffice is easy to learn and easy to use. If you already use a different office suite you will probably pick up OpenOffice straight away. Many features are very similar to other programs and, where different, the menus are logically arranged.
Even if you don't currently use any office software, if you have some basic experience of word processing then you should find OOo text documents very easy to use. You may also enjoy learning to use the drawing, presentation and spreadsheet functions.
8daysaweek discs make OOo a breeze to install and our forums are here to offer you support and solutions for all your OOo questions.
If I use OpenOffice can other people open documents/files I send them?
OpenOffice.org allows you to save documents in a variety of different formats so that they can be opened in different programs. E.g. If you want to send a word processing document to a friend who uses Microsoft Office then you simply save your document as a .doc file and your friend will be able to open it as normal in Microsoft Word.
If I use OpenOffice can I open Word/Excel and Access files?
OOo can read and write files from other common office software packages. E.g. If a friend sends you a Word document you can open, edit and save it in OpenOffice.org.
OpenOffice.org can also connect to Microsoft Access database tables (as well as other database table formats), although it doesn't directly open Access databases. By connecting to the tables you can read and write all of the data, and create queries, forms, and reports as you would in Access.
OOo can also create self-contained database files (as Access does) so that you can make your databases completely portable.
Can OpenOffice be used by businesses?
OpenOffice.org is an excellent tool for businesses. It is a mature, stable product, that meets all the requirements for an office software package.
Its compatibility with other office software means that companies moving to OpenOffice.org can simply take their existing files with them. You can also exchange files with your customers, accountants, associates, etc. who use other office software. Creating PDF files with OpenOffice.org means you can be sure documents will look the exactly the same when opened by a recipient. The facility to produce secure PDFs can be extremely valuable for businesses, allowing you to keep control of documents after they leave your office.
OpenOffice.org is available for Windows®, Mac OS®, Linux and other Operating Systems so you can have the same Office software across all departments.
In addition, OOo means an end to licence worries. It can be installed entirely free from any licence fees on as many computers as you want, making it very cost effective for businesses. Given the low cost of purchasing the "easy install" 8daysaweek discs you could buy additional copies to give to your employees so that they can use OOo at home.
Where can I get it?
OpenOffice.org is included (along with over 55 other Open Source programs) on the 8daysaweek CD for Windows®, which will guide you through a very easy installation of the software. We also supply CDs for other Operating Systems, e.g. the 8daysaweek CD for Mac OS® (Intel) and others. OpenOffice.org is included with Ubuntu Linux and can also be downloaded from the OpenOffice.org website.
For additional information about number of users, and system requirements, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Writer
Calc
Impress
Base
Draw
Math
OpenOffice.org 3.0
The Suite Advantage
OpenOffice.org is more than a collection of five superb tools
In contrast to some other office suites, OpenOffice.org was designed as one complete office package with component 'modules' - not a collection of separate pieces of software.
This means...
- All the modules have a similar 'look and feel' making them very easy to use, with common 'learn once use everywhere' tools like the Styles and Formatting.
- The same tools are used consistently across the suite - for example, the tools you use to work with graphics within Writer are also found in Impress and Draw.
- You don't need to know which application was used to create a file - you can File > Open any OpenOffice.org file from anywhere and the correct application (module) will be launched.
- The modules share a common spell-checker, etc.; and if you change an Option in once, it's changed everywhere.
- Information can be transferred easily between all the modules.
- All modules save in OpenDocument format, the international standard for office documents. This format can offer smaller file sizes, saving disk space. It also means you can access your data from any OpenDocument compliant software.
- All the modules are installed in one single operation.
Everything you need in an office productivity suite - get it today!.
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Writer
For all your documents
WRITER has everything you would expect from a modern, fully equipped word processor or desktop publisher.
It's simple enough for a quick memo, powerful enough to create complete books with contents, diagrams, indexes, etc. You're free to concentrate on your message - while WRITER makes it look great.
Wizards take all the hassle out of producing standard documents such as letters, faxes, agendas, minutes, or carrying out more complex tasks such as mail merges. You can create your own templates, purchase our 8daysaweek OOoExtras disc which includes templates, clip art and more, or download templates from the Extensions repository.
Styles and Formatting features enable you to format your documents quickly and consistently.
Trap typing mistakes on the fly with the AutoCorrect dictionary, which can check your spelling as you type. If you need to use different languages in your document - WRITER can handle that too.
Reduce typing effort with AutoComplete, which suggests common words and phrases to complete what you are typing.
Text frames and linking give you the power to tackle desktop publishing tasks for newsletters, flyers, etc. laid out exactly the way you want them to be.
Generate a table of contents or indexing terms, bibliographical references, illustrations, tables, and other objects for your long or complex documents.
WRITER can also display multiple pages while you edit - ideal for those complex documents, or if you have a large monitor (or multiple monitors).
Notes can be displayed on the side of the document. Notes from different users are displayed in different colours together with the editing date and time.
Use WRITER's HTML export to create web pages, or export in MediaWiki format for publishing to wikis. Publish in Portable Document Format (.pdf) to guarantee that what you write is what your reader sees. The PDF export feature provides huge set of formatting and security options.
Save your documents in OpenDocument format, the international standard for office documents. This XML based format means you can access your documents from any OpenDocument compliant software (not just WRITER).
WRITER can of course read all your old Microsoft Word documents, or save your work in Microsoft Word format for sending to people who are still locked into Microsoft products. From version 3.0 WRITER can also open .docx files created with Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac OS X.
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Calc
The all-purpose spreadsheet
Newcomers find CALC intuitive and easy to learn; professional data miners and number crunchers will appreciate the comprehensive range of advanced functions.
Advanced DataPilot technology makes it easy to pull in raw data from corporate databases; cross-tabulate, summarise, and convert it into meaningful information.
Natural language formulas let you create formulas using words (e.g. "sales - costs").
The Intelligent Sum Button inserts a sum function or a subtotal automatically, depending on context.
Wizards guide you through choosing and using a comprehensive range of advanced spreadsheet functions. You can buy our 8daysaweek OOoExtras disc which includes templates, macros, clip art and more, or download templates from the Extensions repository.
Styles and Formatting features make it easy to apply flexible cell formatting options, including freely rotating contents, templates, backgrounds, borders, and many more.
Scenario Manager allows "what if ..." analysis at the touch of a button - e.g. compare profitability for high / medium / low sales forecasts.
CALC's solver component allows solving optimization problems where the optimum value of a particular spreadsheet cell has to be calculated based on constraints provided in other cells.
Encourage collaborative working on spreadsheets with CALC's multiple users support. By sharing a spreadsheet other users can easily add their data to the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet owner can then easily integrate the new data with a few clicks. This collaboration feature helps avoid editing conflicts.
Save your spreadsheets in OpenDocument format, the international standard for office documents. This XML based format means you can access your spreadsheets from any OpenDocument compliant software (not just CALC).
Of course, you can use your old Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, or save your work in Excel format for sending to people who are still locked into Microsoft products. If all they want to see is your results, then use Portable Document Format (.pdf) - CALC can produce PDFs without needing any add-ons. Since version 3.0, CALC has been able to read .xlsx files created with Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac OS X.
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Impress
More power to your presentations
IMPRESS is a truly outstanding tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will stand out with 2D and 3D clip art, special effects, animation, and high-impact drawing tools.
Master Pages simplify the task of preparing your materials. Save even more time by buying our 8daysaweek OOoExtras disc which includes templates, macros, clip art and more, or download templates from the Extensions repository.
A complete range of Views are supported: Drawing / Outline / Slides / Notes / Handouts to meet all the needs of presenters and audiences, plus an optional multi-pane view to put all the tools at your fingertips.
IMPRESS supports multiple monitors, so that presenters can look at something else while presenting their slides on a projector. Make the most of this With the free Presenter Console Extension, which lets you see your next slides as well as the time and the speaker notes.
IMPRESS has a complete range of easy-to-use drawing and diagramming tools to spice up your presentation. You can 'Park' your most commonly used drawing tools around your screen ready for single-click access.
Slide show Animation and Effects bring your presentation to life. Fontworks provides stunning 2D and 3D images from text. Create lifelike 3D images with astounding speed and response.
Save your presentations in OpenDocument format, the international standard for office documents. This XML based format means you can access your presentations from any OpenDocument compliant software (not just IMPRESS).
Of course, you are free to use your old Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, or save your work in PowerPoint format for sending to people who are still locked into Microsoft products. Alternatively, use IMPRESS's built-in ability to create Flash (.swf) or PDF (.pdf) versions of your presentations.
Click here to see a demonstration of IMPRESS in action
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Draw
The powerful graphics package
DRAW - from a quick sketch to a complex plan, DRAW gives you the tools to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, DRAW is powerful tool for technical or general posters, etc.
Use Styles and Formatting to put all your graphics styles at your finger tips, or 'Park' your most commonly used drawing tools around your screen ready for single-click access.
Manipulate objects, rotate in two or three dimensions; the 3D controller puts spheres, rings, cubes, etc. at your disposal.
Arrange objects: group, ungroup, regroup, and edit objects while grouped. Sophisticated rendering lets you create photorealistic images with your own texture, lighting effects, transparency, perspective, and so on.
Smart connectors make short work of flowcharts, organisation charts, network diagrams, etc. Define your own 'glue points' for connectors to 'stick' to.
Dimension lines automatically calculate and display linear dimensions as you draw.
Use the picture Gallery for clipart; create your own art and add it to the Gallery, or buy our 8daysaweek OOoExtras disc which includes thousands of royalty-free clip art images for you to use, and much more.
Save your graphics in OpenDocument format, the international standard for office documents. This XML based format means you can access your graphics from any OpenDocument compliant software (not just DRAW).
Import graphics from all common formats (including BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and WMF).
Use DRAW's free ability to create Flash (.swf) or PDF (.pdf) versions of your work.
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Base
Database management system
BASE is a fully featured desktop database management system, designed to meet the needs of a broad array of users, from
- tracking your personal CD collection, to
- producing a corporate monthly departmental sales report.
BASE offers wizards to help users new to database design (or just new to BASE) to create Tables, Queries, Forms and Reports, along with a set of predefined table definitions for tracking Assets, Customers, Sales Orders, Invoices and much more.
When a personal use database is all you need, BASE offers the full HSQL relational database engine, configured for single user, with the data stored right in the BASE file, as well as native support for dBase flat files.
For power users in the enterprise, BASE delivers native support drivers for a variety of multi-user database engines: MySQL, Adabas D, MS Access and PostgreSQL. In addition, support for JDBC and ODBC standard drivers allows you to connect to virtually any existing database.
BASE integrates seamlessly into the rest of the OpenOffice.org suite applications, for example:
- supplying address book data for mail merge in WRITER using the industry standard LDAP protocol, or common address book formats such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows and Mozilla;
- creating linked data ranges in CALC files for data pilot analysis or as the basis for charts.
For more information on working with BASE, please see the OpenOffice.org Wiki Database pages.
For technical information, or to help make BASE even better, stop by the BASE project page.
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Math
Create equations and formulae for your documents
MATH is OpenOffice.org's component for mathematical equations. It is most commonly used as an equation editor for text documents, but it can also be used with other types of documents or stand-alone. When used inside WRITER, the equation is treated as an object inside the text document. Similarly, one can also insert these into other OpenOffice.org programs like CALC and IMPRESS.
Using MATH, there are three main ways of entering a formula:
- Type markup in the equation editor.
- Right-click on the equation editor and select the symbol from the context menu.
- Select a symbol from the Selection toolbox.
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