Open office.org

[Saddletramp]

Was recommended on here a week or so ago. It is open source so is free. So good so far. However, when I am sent a document in MS word I can not open it and visa versa.

Dont want to have to stump up for office,. Works came with the machine but in the past I have found it was not compatible with word. Help please. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[damo]

Go into Help in OpenOffice, search for "file associations for Microsoft Office" There are instructions there for converting documents.

You could also ask for files to be sent as Rich Text Format - all word processors should read those OK, although some of the formatting may not show as originally intended.

My OpenOffice (2.3) opens docs OK, but I haven't tried it with anything newer than MSOffice 2003 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bumblefish]

Never had a problem with opening MS documents in OpenOffice but suggest you open the preferences and ask the software to load from microsoft format and save to same, it might help?

 

[Saddletramp]

Cheers Damo, but before I wade in can you confirm that you can send and receive docs to someone who uses MS Word.

As I have to run the start bit again.

All this with that Monty Don blabbering on in the backgound.

 

[demonboy]

It's probably an MS Word Vista document. OpenOffice doesn't yet support Vista.

 

[Saddletramp]

Followed the instructions in help as per Damo. Opens docs in email sent to me now. I need a volunteer to be the recipient of a document to see if they can open it.
Pretty please.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[BrendanS]

see pm

 

[Saddletramp]

Cheers
Brendan, also got trouble with my email so had to use gmail.
Its all falling apart here.

 

[BrendanS]

I've emailed back. Yes, it opened fine.

 

[Malcb]

[ QUOTE ]
It's probably an MS Word Vista document. OpenOffice doesn't yet support Vista.

[/ QUOTE ]

Strange, I'm running Open Office and Vista and not experienced any problems.

 

[Saddletramp]

Yep all sorted, thanks guys.

 

[Sybarite]

I have tried using it for a few months but found that there were too many limitations compared with Office especially as far as Excel is concerned. So I have just bitten the bullet and acquired MS office again.

John

 

[BrendanS]

The spreadsheet is OK for simple things, the powerpoint bit is very limited, but the word processing part is OK for most stuff, for most people.

 

[charles_reed]

First ? which version of OpenOffice have you got?
The current one is 2.3.1 and that contains the convertor as part of the installation.

2nd? Which version of, I suppose you've had it inflicted on you, Microsoft Windows have you got? and which sr pack are you running?

 

[charles_reed]

Open Office 2.3.1 and Vista

If you have installed the recently-released Vista SR1 you may be getting problems.

Incidentally the version of Office which is released with Vista is Office 2007.

2.3.1 is compatible with Office 2007.

 

[Saddletramp]

Re: Open Office 2.3.1 and Vista

I have Vista and I think it was version 2.3 0g Open Office that is why I had to do a bit of fiddling. Alright now though thanks to the IT help desk that is spread around the country. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[roger]

I had a problem with an Office 2007 document which has the d0cx extension. This was not recognised by oepenoffice. I converted it to word 97 2003 ( I think) and that loaded into openoffice perfectly. My view is that its the original file type that is the problem.

 

[TheBoatman]

I have problems with my MS Office prog because I'm running MS 2000 ~ it doesn't like loads of things, including my internet conection, and I'm told (by MS) that they no longer support MS2000.

I tried to d/load open office but it wanted (recommended) to d/load to one of my daughters sites.

I eventually gave up and quit the d/load.

I hate to say it but I think I'm gonna have to fork out for the new MS Office @ £400+ squids just so that I can use MS Outlook!

As always, I'm convinced that when any computer whizz kid tells me it's "simple", just press this, do that, I can guarantee it's going to be a nightmare and I'll end up with something that doesn't work and will take me forever to sort out.

I have a "tame" whizz kid that I use for 'puter problems and below I'll give his response to my trying to d/load Open Office.
__________________________________________________

I assume that you have used the link on

http://www.openoffice.org

version 2.3.1 and that you followed the instructions for your platform -
Windows.

if so then I can't understand what went wrong, I've done this scores of
times. All I can suggest is that you read

http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/FAQ/Installation/Installing_OOo

which is the FAQ for installing.

also ensure that you have enough drive space, and that your anti virus,
spyware and windows updates are all up to date and working.

When I just tried it, it downloaded an .exe file which worked OK, US
english, but I added the British English dictionary and it seemed OK.
_________________________________________________________

Nope, It didn't d/load for me and how the hell do I change the dictionary from US to UK.

God give me.....................

Peter.

 

[BrendanS]

What do you mean by trying to download to one of your daughters sites? It can't download to a website, it will download by default to your computer. You can choose where to download to your computer when you start downloading.

Once you've downloaded it, we'll tell you how to change from US to UK english which is also very easy.

Let me try and put computer help into boating terms. If you get really frustrated and annoyed, you don't give anyone the information you need to help. For instance, you get vhf message saying

'We're sinking we're sinking, please help me, please, we are sinking' and you reply with?.......... What is your position, what size boat, how many crew onboard. ....and you receive back 'We're sinking come and save us please!!!!!!!@

 

[damo]

[ QUOTE ]
'We're sinking we're sinking, please help me, please, we are sinking' and you reply with?..........

[/ QUOTE ]

"Vot are you sinking about?" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif