MS Office compatibility with Open Office
 

I tried to print some .doc files from Open Office 2.3

But margins(& alignment) get disturbed, even i tried to set margins in same size as they are set in windows. But same problem is there.

this makes compulsory to use MS Office for these files. If i convert these files to .odt again alignment problem is there.

Can someone help me in this?
Some people told me that this issue is solved in Star Office, so I am trying to download Star Office & kOffice

KOffice probably won't help you. I tried it for a few months and hated it, even when using its native file format.

A lot of problems related to compatibility between Open Office dot Org and Microsoft Office are related to font selection. When you create a document using either application try to use fonts that are common to both environments.

It might also help if you set your Open Office dot Org to use Microsoft Office file formats as the default file format to create and save files. This is what I always do when I install Open Office dot Org v2.4.

FYI it is my understanding that Open Office dot Org v3.x will not save files in Microsoft Office formats but that the latest Star Office will do that. It might be worth trying Star Office (US $35 for the downloaded copy). I haven't tested Star Office's compatibility with Microsoft Office yet because I do not use any advanced features of these products. Rather I try to talk my clients into trying these things before they purchase yet another Microsoft Office license. I am currently trying to talk someone into purchasing Star Office to use in his business. His business uses a lot of Microsoft Office features in their documents. Naturally I've already set him up with automatic backups so that if Star Office caused problems he could restore his documents from an earlier date.

You should install msttcorefonts using your package manager.

Just checked on my system. It will save in the older MS formats, but not Office 2007 (eg docx)

I don't recall if this is planned.

The world community tried to get MS to use ODF, but they managed to get their own "open" format registered (OpenXML, or something like that)

...and...
I believe that after you have installed the Microsoft Core Fonts package on your system you then have to manually add it to Open Office dot Org.

stress_junkie, you are quite right, I just checked.... From OO "Help":

To integrate additional fonts in the OpenOffice.org software, proceed as follows:

1.Go to the {install_path}/program directory.

I thought "where is that?". So, in a terminal:

The window opens.

Then go to step 3

3.Click Fonts.
4.The dialogue lists all fonts added for the OpenOffice.org software. You can select and remove fonts using the Remove button or add new fonts with the Add button.
5.Click Add. The Add Fonts dialogue appears.
6.Enter the directory from which you want to add the fonts. Press the ... button and select the directory from the path selection dialogue or enter the directory directly.

I thought "where is that directory?". So, in a terminal:

So I entered /usr/local/share/fonts/ in the dialog box

7.A list of the fonts from this directory appears, after the obligatory short OO pause.

Select the fonts you want to add. To add all the fonts, click Select All.

I selected All

8.With the Create soft links only tick box you can determine whether the fonts are to be copied into the OpenOffice.org directory or only symbolic links are to be created there. If the fonts to be added are on a data medium that is not always available (such as a CD-ROM), you must copy the fonts.

I selected "soft links" as they are on my HDD.

9.Click OK. The fonts will now be added.

They were.

In the case of a server installation, the fonts are installed in that installation if possible. If the user has no write access rights, the fonts will be installed in the corresponding user installation so that only the user who installed them can access them.

Restart OpenOffice, then the MSTT fonts are usable, and formatting across platforms is likely to be more consistent (so long as you are using the msttcorefonts in your publications).

tredegar your post on how to install fonts into OOo is very helpful. I just clicked on the "Thank you" icon in that post. I had done that several years ago but not recently.

Hi Stress_junkie & Tredegar,
thanks for your help, that was useful.

But this did not solve whole problem, i had msttcorefonts already installed in my system, but it was not added in the Open Office. i did it, but still alignment(margin) of the document is still a issue. Did anyone of you worked on this?

P.S. i clicked thanks for both of you.. :cool:

i do believe that OO 3 dose save to MS office 2007 format and the MS office 2008 also

Dnyanraj, if I were trying to do what you are doing then the next step that I would take would be to install OOo on a Windows machine and try to solve compatibility issues there. You might then be able to port your solution to your Linux machine.

I would research this right now but I am swamped with clients having all kinds of problems with their Windows machines and them trying to close their books. I worked all day Christmas getting rid of a Windows virus for my biggest client. He can close his books after he re-enters four days of financial posting. Today I've got two other clients looking for help. I almost wish that I had the time to research this now. Notice that I say almost because I'm self employed and my clients' Windows problems equate to money in my pocket. :)

If this isn't resolved in a few days and if I have some time I'll try to research it. This information could be useful to my clients so I want to know the answer if there is one.