Convert ADOC to SXW

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ADOC vs SXW Format Comparison

Aspect	ADOC (Source Format)	SXW (Target Format)
Format Overview	ADOC AsciiDoc Markup Language Lightweight markup language designed for writing technical documentation. Human-readable plain text format that can be converted to multiple output formats. Popular for documentation-as-code workflows, software manuals, and technical books. Plain Text Technical Docs	SXW StarOffice Writer Document XML-based document format used by StarOffice Writer and early versions of OpenOffice.org. Predecessor to the ODF (Open Document Format) standard. Uses ZIP compression with XML content files. Legacy format from Sun Microsystems era. Legacy Format OpenOffice 1.x
Technical Specifications	Structure: Plain text with semantic markup Encoding: UTF-8 text Format: Human-readable markup Compression: None (plain text) Extensions: .adoc, .asciidoc, .asc	Structure: ZIP archive with XML files Encoding: UTF-8 XML content Format: StarOffice XML format Compression: ZIP compression Extensions: .sxw
Syntax Examples	AsciiDoc uses semantic markup: = Document Title Author Name == Section Heading This is a bold and _italic_ text. * List item one * List item two [source,python] ---- print("Hello World") ----	SXW contains XML content (inside ZIP): <?xml version="1.0"?> <office:document-content> <office:body> <text:p text:style-name="P1"> Content here </text:p> </office:body> </office:document-content>
Content Support	Headings and sections (multi-level) Bold, italic, monospace formatting Ordered and unordered lists Tables with complex layouts Source code blocks with syntax highlighting Admonitions (NOTE, TIP, WARNING) Cross-references and links Images and diagrams Include directives Mathematical formulas (via extensions)	Rich text formatting Paragraph and character styles Tables with formatting Embedded images Headers and footers Page numbering Footnotes and endnotes Hyperlinks Sections and columns Basic drawing objects
Advantages	Human-readable plain text Version control friendly (Git) Excellent for technical documentation Multi-format output (HTML, PDF, DOCX) Powerful include and conditional directives Built-in syntax highlighting Documentation-as-code workflow	Open XML-based format Smaller file sizes (ZIP compression) Compatible with OpenOffice 1.x Precursor to ODF standard Cross-platform support Free software ecosystem
Disadvantages	Learning curve for markup syntax No WYSIWYG editing Requires toolchain for conversion Limited visual formatting control Not widely recognized by non-technical users	Obsolete format (replaced by ODT) Limited modern software support No longer actively developed StarOffice discontinued in 2011 Fewer features than modern formats
Common Uses	Software documentation Technical manuals and guides API documentation Books and ebooks README files and wikis Knowledge bases	Legacy StarOffice documents Old OpenOffice.org 1.x files Archived documents from early 2000s Migration from proprietary formats Historical document preservation
Best For	Technical writers and developers Documentation-as-code projects Multi-output publishing Version-controlled documentation	Legacy system compatibility OpenOffice 1.x environments Archival purposes Specific legacy workflows
Version History	Introduced: 2002 (Stuart Rackham) Current Version: AsciiDoc / Asciidoctor Status: Active development Evolution: Asciidoctor (2013) modernized format	Introduced: 2000 (StarOffice 5.2) Last Version: OpenOffice.org 1.x Status: Obsolete (replaced by ODF in 2005) Evolution: Evolved into ODT format
Software Support	Asciidoctor: Primary processor (Ruby/JS/Java) Editors: VS Code, Atom, IntelliJ, Vim Preview: Browser extensions available Other: AsciiDoc Python, GitHub rendering	LibreOffice: Read support (import) OpenOffice: Read/write support Legacy: StarOffice 5.2-8.0 Converters: Various format converters

Why Convert ADOC to SXW?

Converting AsciiDoc documents to SXW format is primarily needed for compatibility with legacy StarOffice and early OpenOffice.org installations. While SXW is an obsolete format that has been superseded by ODT (Open Document Text), some organizations and systems still maintain archives or workflows that require this older format.

SXW was the native format for StarOffice Writer and OpenOffice.org 1.x versions (2000-2005). It represented an important step in open document formats, using XML inside a ZIP container - a structure that later evolved into the OASIS Open Document Format (ODF). If you're working with legacy systems from this era or need to access archived documents, SXW conversion may be necessary.

AsciiDoc's plain-text markup offers a modern, version-controllable approach to documentation. By converting to SXW, you can share your technical documentation with users who still operate older StarOffice or OpenOffice.org installations. This is particularly relevant for organizations with outdated IT infrastructure, historical archives, or specific regulatory requirements that mandate older format compatibility.

The conversion process transforms your AsciiDoc content - headings, lists, tables, code blocks, and formatting - into SXW's XML structure. The resulting document can be opened in LibreOffice (which imports SXW files), Apache OpenOffice, or legacy StarOffice installations. For most modern use cases, we recommend converting to ODT instead, but SXW remains available for specific legacy requirements.

Key Benefits of Converting ADOC to SXW:

Legacy Compatibility: Works with StarOffice and OpenOffice.org 1.x
Archive Access: Compatible with historical document systems
Open Format: XML-based, not proprietary binary
Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Structure Preservation: Maintains document hierarchy
Free Software: Compatible with open-source office suites
Migration Path: Can be converted to modern ODT later

Practical Examples

Example 1: Legacy Documentation Archive

Input AsciiDoc file (manual.adoc):

= System Administration Manual
:author: IT Department
:revdate: 2024-01-15

== Overview

This manual covers system administration procedures.

== Backup Procedures

. Stop all running services
. Run the backup script
. Verify backup integrity

IMPORTANT: Always test backups monthly.

Output SXW file (manual.sxw):

StarOffice/OpenOffice document:
- Document title as heading
- Formatted sections
- Numbered list preserved
- Important note formatted
- Compatible with OpenOffice 1.x
- Opens in LibreOffice (import)
- XML content in ZIP archive

Example 2: Technical Specification

Input AsciiDoc file (spec.adoc):

= Technical Specification v2.0

== Hardware Requirements

|===
| Component | Minimum | Recommended
| CPU | 2 GHz | 3 GHz
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB
| Storage | 100 GB | 250 GB
|===

== Software Dependencies

* Operating System: Linux or Windows
* Database: PostgreSQL 12+
* Runtime: Java 11 or later

Output SXW file (spec.sxw):

Formatted specification document:
- Title and version info
- Table with hardware specs
- Bullet list for software
- Professional formatting
- Legacy format compatible
- Suitable for archival
- Opens in older office suites

Example 3: Process Documentation

Input AsciiDoc file (process.adoc):

= Quality Assurance Process

== Code Review Checklist

=== Before Review

* [ ] Code compiles without errors
* [ ] Unit tests pass
* [ ] Documentation updated

=== During Review

Check for:

. Code clarity and readability
. Proper error handling
. Security considerations

NOTE: Reviews should take 30-60 minutes maximum.

Output SXW file (process.sxw):

Process document:
- Multi-level headings
- Checklist items formatted
- Numbered procedure steps
- Note block highlighted
- Print-ready layout
- Legacy system compatible
- XML-based storage

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW (StarOffice Writer) is an XML-based document format used by Sun Microsystems' StarOffice Writer and early versions of OpenOffice.org (1.x series). It stores content as XML files within a ZIP archive. SXW was introduced around 2000 and served as a precursor to the ODF (Open Document Format) standard. The format is now obsolete, having been replaced by ODT in 2005.

Q: Why would I need to convert to SXW instead of ODT?

A: SXW conversion is primarily needed for legacy compatibility - if you're working with older StarOffice installations (versions 5.2-8.0), OpenOffice.org 1.x systems, or accessing archived documents from the early 2000s. For modern use, we strongly recommend using ODT (Open Document Text) instead, as it's the current standard supported by all major office suites.

Q: Can LibreOffice open SXW files?

A: Yes! LibreOffice can import and open SXW files, automatically converting them to its internal format for editing. You can then save the document in modern formats like ODT or DOCX. Apache OpenOffice also maintains SXW support. This makes SXW files accessible even if you don't have legacy StarOffice installed.

Q: What's the difference between SXW and ODT?

A: Both are XML-based formats stored in ZIP containers, but ODT (Open Document Text) is the evolved, standardized version. SXW uses StarOffice's proprietary XML schema, while ODT follows the OASIS Open Document Format standard (ISO/IEC 26300). ODT offers better interoperability, more features, and is actively maintained. SXW is essentially the prototype that led to ODT.

Q: Will my AsciiDoc formatting be preserved?

A: Yes, the converter preserves your document structure including headings (as Writer heading styles), lists, tables, emphasis (bold, italic), and code formatting. AsciiDoc features like admonitions are converted to appropriate text formatting. Some advanced features specific to HTML output (like interactive elements) may be simplified for the SXW format.

Q: Is SXW format still being developed?

A: No, SXW is no longer developed. Sun Microsystems (later acquired by Oracle) transitioned to the ODF standard in 2005. StarOffice itself was discontinued in 2011. The format exists only for legacy compatibility. For any new documents or modern workflows, use ODT, DOCX, or other current formats.

Q: Can I convert SXW to other formats later?

A: Absolutely. SXW files can be opened in LibreOffice or OpenOffice and saved as ODT, DOCX, PDF, or other formats. This provides a migration path if you're using SXW for temporary legacy compatibility but need modern formats for other purposes. Our converter also supports SXW to other format conversions.

Q: What happened to StarOffice?

A: StarOffice was a commercial office suite developed by StarDivision, acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999. Sun open-sourced the code as OpenOffice.org in 2000. After Oracle acquired Sun in 2010, they donated OpenOffice.org to Apache. The StarOffice brand was discontinued in 2011. LibreOffice forked from OpenOffice.org in 2010 and is now the most actively developed successor.