An open standard document format for editable text documents
ODT (OpenDocument Text) is an open-standard file format for text documents developed as part of the OpenDocument Format (ODF) family. Created by the OASIS consortium and standardized by ISO/IEC, it was designed as a vendor-neutral, XML-based alternative to proprietary document formats.
ODT files can contain formatted text, images, tables, page formatting, and other elements typically found in word processing documents. The format is based on a compressed ZIP archive containing XML files, stylesheets, and embedded objects.
As an open standard, ODT promotes document interoperability, long-term accessibility, and freedom from vendor lock-in. It's the native format for applications like LibreOffice Writer and Apache OpenOffice Writer, and has gained significant adoption in government agencies, educational institutions, and organizations committed to open standards.
ODT files are essentially ZIP archives containing multiple XML files that define the document's content, structure, and formatting. The main components include content.xml (document text and structure), styles.xml (formatting), meta.xml (metadata), and settings.xml (application-specific settings). This modular approach separates content from presentation, promoting better maintainability and accessibility.
Many government agencies and public sector organizations have adopted ODT as their standard document format to ensure vendor neutrality, long-term accessibility, and cost savings. Countries like the UK, France, Italy, and Brazil have implemented policies promoting or requiring the use of open document formats for governmental communications and archives.
Schools and universities increasingly use ODT as part of their commitment to open-source software and open standards. The format enables students and faculty to work with documents regardless of their choice of software, promoting equal access to educational resources without requiring specific proprietary software purchases.
Organizations concerned with digital preservation use ODT for archiving documents. The open standard nature of ODT helps ensure that documents will remain accessible long into the future, independent of any specific vendor's software. Libraries, archives, and records management systems benefit from this stability for historical and legal record-keeping.
ODT is valuable in mixed computing environments where users work with different operating systems and office suites. The format helps ensure that documents can be accessed and edited across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms using various applications that support the OpenDocument standard.
Teams that use different word processing applications can collaborate effectively using ODT as their common format. The standard's wide compatibility means that contributors aren't forced to use a single application, allowing for more flexible workflows while maintaining document integrity.
ODT is supported by various office suites with different levels of compatibility:
ODT files can be used across all major platforms:
Different aspects of ODT have varying levels of cross-application support:
ODT is governed by international standards:
| Feature | ODT | DOCX | DOC | RTF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Standard | |||||
| Formatting Capabilities | |||||
| Market Adoption | |||||
| File Size Efficiency | |||||
| Editability | |||||
| Long-term Archiving |
ODT excels in openness, archival quality, and vendor independence, while DOCX offers better feature support and wider adoption. DOC is still important for legacy compatibility but offers fewer modern features. RTF provides basic formatting with broad application support, and PDF stands out for layout preservation but offers limited editability.
When converting from Microsoft formats to ODT, use LibreOffice or OpenOffice for best results. These applications have sophisticated filters designed specifically for this conversion. However, be aware that complex formatting elements like advanced table styles, some text effects, and certain macros may not convert perfectly. After conversion, review the document thoroughly, paying special attention to page breaks, headers/footers, and any specialized formatting.
RTF to ODT conversion usually works well for basic document formatting. Open the RTF file in an ODT-compatible word processor and save as ODT. Basic text formatting, tables, and simple images typically convert successfully. However, some advanced features like track changes or complex drawing objects may require adjustment after conversion.
Converting from PDF to ODT is more challenging since PDF is designed for final presentation rather than editing. Use LibreOffice's PDF import extension or specialized conversion tools. Text recognition quality depends on whether the PDF contains actual text or just images of text. Expect to restructure complex layouts, tables, and formatting after conversion, as these often don't translate well.
When converting to Microsoft formats, use the "Save As" function in LibreOffice/OpenOffice and select the Microsoft format. For better compatibility, consider using simpler formatting where possible, and avoid ODT-specific features that may not have equivalents in Microsoft formats. Test the converted document in the target application to ensure critical formatting has been preserved.
Creating PDF from ODT is straightforward and reliable. LibreOffice and OpenOffice offer built-in "Export as PDF" functions with various options for controlling the output quality, hyperlinks, security features, and compression. This conversion path typically preserves formatting very well since it's focused on creating a final presentation format rather than an editable document.
Converting ODT to HTML works reasonably well for basic documents but may simplify complex layouts. Use the "Save As" or "Export" function and select HTML format. Consider using the "XHTML" option if available for better standards compliance. After conversion, you may need to adjust CSS styling for optimal web presentation, especially for complex tables or precise positioning of elements.