Convert DOCBOOK to SXW

Why Convert DocBook to SXW?

Converting DocBook to SXW enables you to open and edit structured technical documentation in StarOffice Writer, OpenOffice.org Writer, or LibreOffice Writer. While DocBook is optimized for authoring and publishing technical content through XML processing pipelines, SXW provides a familiar WYSIWYG editing environment that non-technical users can work with directly.

SXW (StarOffice Writer) is the predecessor to the modern ODT format and remains relevant for organizations with legacy document archives or older office suite installations. The format stores content as XML within a ZIP archive, making it structurally compatible with DocBook's XML content. The conversion maps DocBook's semantic elements to SXW's paragraph styles, heading levels, and table structures.

The conversion process transforms DocBook's rich semantic markup into the SXW presentation model. Sections become heading-style paragraphs, <para> elements become body text, tables are converted with proper column widths and headers, and lists maintain their ordering and nesting. Code listings receive monospace formatting, and admonitions are styled as highlighted blocks.

This conversion is particularly useful for teams that need to share technical documentation with stakeholders who prefer desktop word processor editing over XML editing. It also serves organizations migrating from DocBook-based documentation systems to office-suite-based workflows, or those needing to produce editable drafts from their DocBook publications.

Key Benefits of Converting DocBook to SXW:

• WYSIWYG Editing: Edit documentation in a familiar word processor interface
• Legacy Compatibility: Work with older StarOffice and OpenOffice installations
• Print-Ready: Produce paginated documents with headers, footers, and page numbers
• Style Mapping: DocBook semantics are preserved as named paragraph styles
• LibreOffice Support: SXW files open directly in modern LibreOffice
• Stakeholder Access: Share documentation with non-technical reviewers
• Archive Format: Store documentation in a widely-readable office format

Practical Examples

Example 1: Technical Manual

Input DocBook file (manual.xml):

<book xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook">
  <title>System Admin Guide</title>
  <chapter>
    <title>Installation</title>
    <para>This guide covers installing the
      system on Linux servers.</para>
    <section>
      <title>Prerequisites</title>
      <itemizedlist>
        <listitem><para>Linux kernel 5.x+</para></listitem>
        <listitem><para>4 GB RAM minimum</para></listitem>
        <listitem><para>20 GB disk space</para></listitem>
      </itemizedlist>
    </section>
  </chapter>
</book>

Output SXW document renders as:

System Admin Guide
==================

Chapter 1: Installation
------------------------
This guide covers installing the system
on Linux servers.

Prerequisites
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  * Linux kernel 5.x+
  * 4 GB RAM minimum
  * 20 GB disk space

Example 2: API Reference Document

Input DocBook file (api-ref.dbk):

<section xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook">
  <title>REST API Endpoints</title>
  <table>
    <title>User Endpoints</title>
    <tgroup cols="3">
      <thead>
        <row>
          <entry>Method</entry>
          <entry>Path</entry>
          <entry>Description</entry>
        </row>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <row>
          <entry>GET</entry>
          <entry>/api/users</entry>
          <entry>List all users</entry>
        </row>
        <row>
          <entry>POST</entry>
          <entry>/api/users</entry>
          <entry>Create a user</entry>
        </row>
      </tbody>
    </tgroup>
  </table>
</section>

Output SXW document renders as:

REST API Endpoints
-------------------

Table: User Endpoints
+--------+-------------+-----------------+
| Method | Path        | Description     |
+--------+-------------+-----------------+
| GET    | /api/users  | List all users  |
| POST   | /api/users  | Create a user   |
+--------+-------------+-----------------+

Example 3: Release Notes

Input DocBook file (release-notes.xml):

<article xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook">
  <title>Release Notes v3.2</title>
  <section>
    <title>New Features</title>
    <itemizedlist>
      <listitem><para>Dark mode support</para></listitem>
      <listitem><para>Export to PDF</para></listitem>
    </itemizedlist>
  </section>
  <section>
    <title>Bug Fixes</title>
    <itemizedlist>
      <listitem><para>Fixed login timeout</para></listitem>
      <listitem><para>Resolved memory leak</para></listitem>
    </itemizedlist>
  </section>
</article>

Output SXW document renders as:

Release Notes v3.2
===================

New Features
------------
  * Dark mode support
  * Export to PDF

Bug Fixes
---------
  * Fixed login timeout
  * Resolved memory leak

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW is the native document format used by StarOffice Writer (Sun Microsystems) and early versions of OpenOffice.org Writer (1.x). It stores documents as a ZIP archive containing XML files for content, styles, metadata, and settings. SXW was the predecessor to the ODF (Open Document Format) standard and can still be opened by LibreOffice and OpenOffice.org.

Q: Can I open SXW files in LibreOffice?

A: Yes, LibreOffice Writer provides full backward compatibility with SXW files. You can open, edit, and save SXW documents in LibreOffice. However, LibreOffice will suggest saving in ODT format instead, since ODT is the modern successor to SXW. Both formats use XML-based internal structures, making the transition seamless.

Q: Why choose SXW over ODT?

A: SXW is primarily needed for compatibility with legacy systems running StarOffice or OpenOffice.org 1.x. If your organization still uses these older applications or has archived SXW documents, this format ensures compatibility. For new projects, ODT is generally recommended as it is an ISO-standardized format with broader software support.

Q: How does DocBook structure map to SXW?

A: DocBook section hierarchies map to SXW heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.). Paragraphs become body text with the Default paragraph style. Tables are converted with proper column definitions. Lists maintain their type (ordered/unordered) and nesting. Code listings receive monospace formatting (Preformatted Text style). The conversion preserves the document's logical structure while adapting it to the word processor model.

Q: Are DocBook tables preserved in SXW?

A: Yes, DocBook formal tables and informal tables are fully converted to SXW table structures. Header rows are styled with bold formatting, column widths are calculated from the DocBook colspec elements, and cell content including paragraphs and lists is preserved. Table titles become captions above the table in the SXW output.

Q: What happens to DocBook code listings?

A: DocBook <programlisting> and <screen> elements are converted to preformatted text blocks in SXW using monospace fonts. The content, including whitespace and indentation, is preserved exactly. If syntax highlighting is specified in the DocBook source, it is approximated using character styles in the SXW output where possible.

Q: Can I convert SXW back to DocBook?

A: Yes, our converter supports SXW to DocBook conversion. The reverse process reads the SXW archive, parses the content.xml, and generates DocBook elements corresponding to the heading styles, paragraphs, tables, and lists found in the document. This round-trip capability is useful for organizations transitioning between documentation workflows.

Q: Does the conversion preserve formatting?

A: The conversion maps DocBook semantic elements to appropriate SXW paragraph and character styles. Bold, italic, and code formatting are preserved. Images referenced in DocBook are embedded in the SXW archive. Complex formatting like multi-column layouts and sidebars are approximated using SXW frames and sections. The goal is to produce a readable, properly structured document.