OpenOffice.org

OppenOffice.org

OpenOffice.org is a robust, multi-platform and multi-lingual office suite which includes a full-featured wordprocessor, spreadsheet, database and presentation applications. It is free to download, use and distribute.
As OpenOffice uses a standardised, XML-based file format there is no risk about being locked into using the software.
OpenOffice has support for a large number of languages besides English.
The software's mission statement is "To create, as a community, the leading international office suite that will run on all major platforms and provide access to all functionality and data through open-component based APIs and an XML-based file format".
To read about the differences in functionality between OpenOffice and Word here is a handy 28 page guide (in PDF format).

Writer

The Writer program offers very similar functionality to Microsoft's Word application. It lets you create letters, reports, books, brochures, with the ability to insert graphics and objects.
Features include:

• Reads and saves documents in OpenDocument (an open-source file format) and Microsoft Word formats. Other filters include: WordPerfect 10-13, MS Works, WordStar, HTML, XHTML, Flat XML, Text (including RTF), and more
• Auto Spellchecking, AutoFormat (suggests common words and phrases), Thesaurus, Autotext, Versioning, Table of Contents, Index, and Footnotes
• Integrated Email, Sound and Movie support
• A range of wizards for automating the production of standard documents and mail merging.
• Built in PDF Export, XML support
• Web Publishing including exporting to HTML, XHTML; WebDAV, Run XSLT scripts, Document Sharing Server

Calc

The Calc program offers very similar functionality to Microsoft's Excel application. It has advanced analysis, charting and decision-making features, with a scenario manager that provides "what if" scenarios.
Features include:

• Reads and saves documents in OpenDocument and Excel formats
• 256 sheets, 256 columns, 65536 rows
• >275 functions (including 61 financial, 77 statistics, 11 database)
• 79 different chart types
• Pivot Table, Formula Evaluator
• Filters for: StarCalc, Excel, Quattro Prot, Pocket Excel, XML, Lotus 1-2-3, and more

Impress

 

Impress offers a similar feature set to PowerPoint 2007, as well as providing file compatibility with Microsoft's PowerPoint file format. It offers all of the common multimedia presentation tools including special effects, drawing and animation tools. Using Fontwork's special effects text and multimedia one can enhance slideshows.
Features include:

• Macromedia Flash export, PDF export, and StarImpress/Draw
• Wide range of graphics formats including BMP, DXF, GIF, JPG, PNG, and TIF
• Multiple Slide Designs, Image Rotation, Password Protection, Styles, Layouts
• 59 Transition Effects, 158 Animation effects, effect preview
• Sound and Movie support
• Drawing Tools, 3D Effects, and Word Art

Draw

 

Draw is a vector drawing tool that produces simple diagrams, flowcharts and 3-D artwork. It can import graphics from many common formats and save to over 20 formats including PDF, HTML, Flash, and PNG.

 

 

Base

 

Base is the equivalent to the Access software package which is included in the Professional version of Microsoft Office. Base provides tools for everyday database work with a simple but powerful front end. It can credit and edit forms, reports, queries, tables, views, and relations. It can also analyse and edit relationships from a diagram view.
Features include:

• HSQLDB incorporated as the default relational database engine
• Can also use dBASE, Microsoft Access, MySQL, Oracle, or any ODBC- or JDBC- compliant database.
• 18 database form controls, 10 form templates

Math 

 

 

Math is OOo's formula or equation editor. You can use it to create complex equations that include symbols or characters not available in standard font sets. While it is most commonly used to create formulas in other documents, such as Writer and Impress files, Math can also work as a stand-alone tool. You can save formulas in the standard Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) format for inclusion in webpages and other documents not created by OOo.
OpenOffice.org also features in our 'Linux Equivalents to Windows Software' section. The category selector below allows you to filter the different types of software included in that separate article.
 You can Download it from OpenOffice.org official site http://download.openoffice.org/
 OpenOffice.org