Convert DJVU to SXW

Why Convert DJVU to SXW?

Converting DJVU documents to SXW format creates OpenOffice.org-compatible word processing documents from scanned content. While SXW is a legacy format, it remains necessary for specific environments where older OpenOffice.org or StarOffice installations are the primary tools.

SXW was an important stepping stone in the evolution of open document formats. Created for OpenOffice.org 1.0 in 2000, it was one of the first XML-based word processing formats and directly influenced the development of the ODF standard.

The SXW format stores documents as ZIP-compressed XML, making it more transparent than proprietary binary formats. Text extracted from DJVU pages is wrapped in OpenOffice.org XML elements with proper paragraph, heading, and list markup.

For most modern use cases, converting to ODT is preferred over SXW. However, SXW conversion is specifically valuable when target systems require this format, when maintaining compatibility with archived SXW documents, or when working within legacy environments.

Key Benefits of Converting DJVU to SXW:

• Legacy Compatibility: Works with older OpenOffice.org and StarOffice installations
• Open Format: XML-based, not proprietary binary
• Compressed: ZIP compression keeps file sizes manageable
• LibreOffice Support: Modern LibreOffice can still read SXW files
• Structured Content: Paragraphs, headings, and lists properly formatted
• Cross-Platform: Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS (via LibreOffice)
• Historical Value: Preserves content in early open-source document format

Practical Examples

Example 1: Legacy System Document Creation

Input DJVU file (procedures.djvu):

Scanned office procedures manual:
- Department guidelines
- Workflow descriptions
- Approval processes
(DJVU scan, 40 pages)

Output SXW file (procedures.sxw):

OpenOffice.org Writer document:

Office Procedures Manual

1. Document Processing
   All incoming documents must be
   logged within 24 hours.

2. Approval Workflow
   - Submit to department head
   - Review within 5 business days

(Opens in LibreOffice and OpenOffice)

Example 2: Archive Format Conversion

Input DJVU file (report_2003.djvu):

Scanned organizational report from 2003:
- Annual performance summary
- Budget allocation tables
(DJVU, originally printed from StarOffice)

Output SXW file (report_2003.sxw):

Annual Report 2003

Performance Summary

The organization achieved 95% of its
strategic objectives this fiscal year.

Budget Overview:
- Allocated: $2,500,000
- Spent: $2,350,000
- Remaining: $150,000

Example 3: Government Document Migration

Input DJVU file (policy.djvu):

Scanned government policy document:
- Regulatory requirements
- Compliance checklists
(DJVU from government archive scanner)

Output SXW file (policy.sxw):

Regulatory Policy Document

Section 1: Requirements

All departments must comply with the
following regulations.

Compliance Checklist:
[ ] Annual audit submission
[ ] Staff training completion
[ ] Safety inspection reports

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW is the native document format of OpenOffice.org Writer and StarOffice Writer, used from 2000 to 2005. It stores documents as ZIP-compressed XML files. SXW was superseded by ODT in 2005 but can still be opened by modern LibreOffice.

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

A: SXW is only needed for compatibility with legacy systems running older OpenOffice.org or StarOffice. For all other purposes, ODT is recommended. Convert to SXW only when your target environment specifically requires it.

Q: Can modern software open SXW files?

A: Yes, LibreOffice Writer can open SXW files with full compatibility. Microsoft Word has limited support. Apache OpenOffice also maintains SXW support.

Q: How is SXW different from ODT?

A: Both are XML-in-ZIP formats, but ODT follows the standardized OASIS ODF specification (ISO/IEC 26300). SXW uses OpenOffice.org's pre-standard XML schema. ODT has broader support and better standardization.

Q: Will formatting be preserved in the SXW output?

A: Yes, basic formatting including headings, paragraphs, lists, bold, italic, and tables is preserved. Advanced formatting options are more limited than in ODT or DOCX.

Q: Can I convert SXW to other formats later?

A: Yes, LibreOffice can open SXW files and save them as ODT, DOCX, PDF, HTML, or any other supported format.

Q: Is SXW a compressed format?

A: Yes, SXW files use ZIP compression to bundle XML content, styles, and embedded objects. File sizes are comparable to or smaller than equivalent DOCX or ODT documents.

Q: Are there security concerns with SXW files?

A: SXW files can contain macros (StarBasic). Documents converted from DJVU will not contain macros, so there is no security concern for converted files.