Convert FB2 to SXW

Why Convert FB2 to StarOffice Writer (SXW)?

Converting FB2 ebooks to StarOffice Writer (SXW) format allows you to edit ebook content in a word processor environment. This is useful when you need to modify the text, add formatting, insert images, or restructure content before republishing. SXW files can be opened in older versions of StarOffice and OpenOffice, and can be converted to modern formats like ODT or DOCX.

FB2 (FictionBook 2) is an XML-based ebook format extremely popular in Russia and Eastern Europe. While excellent for reading on ebook devices, FB2's XML structure makes direct editing difficult. Converting to SXW transforms the ebook into an editable word processor document where you can easily modify text, apply formatting, and make changes using familiar office suite tools.

StarOffice Writer format (SXW) was the native format of Sun Microsystems' StarOffice suite from versions 5 through 7 (1999-2005). Although now considered legacy and replaced by the ODT format, SXW files can still be opened in LibreOffice and older OpenOffice versions. Converting FB2 to SXW provides an intermediate step for editing ebook content or for compatibility with legacy systems.

Key Benefits of Converting FB2 to SXW:

• Editable Format: Modify ebook text in word processor environment
• Rich Formatting: Apply styles, fonts, colors, and formatting
• Office Integration: Compatible with StarOffice and OpenOffice
• Easy Conversion: Convert further to ODT, DOCX, or PDF
• Image Editing: Add, remove, or modify embedded images
• Document Restructuring: Reorganize chapters and sections
• Legacy Support: Work with older office suite versions

Practical Examples

Example 1: Book Chapter Conversion

Input FB2 file (book.fb2):

<section>
  <title>Chapter 1: The Beginning</title>
  <p>It was a dark and stormy night.</p>
  <p>The wind howled through the trees.</p>
  <emphasis>Important text</emphasis>
</section>

Output SXW document structure:

Heading 1: Chapter 1: The Beginning

Paragraph: It was a dark and stormy night.

Paragraph: The wind howled through the trees.

Paragraph: Important text (italic formatting)

Example 2: Metadata Preservation

Input FB2 metadata:

<title-info>
  <book-title>The Great Adventure</book-title>
  <author>
    <first-name>John</first-name>
    <last-name>Smith</last-name>
  </author>
  <date>2024</date>
</title-info>

Output SXW document properties:

Document Title: The Great Adventure
Author: John Smith
Date: 2024

(Metadata stored in document properties
 accessible via File > Properties menu)

Example 3: Text Formatting

Input FB2 with formatting:

<p>This is <strong>bold text</strong> and
<emphasis>italic text</emphasis>.</p>
<p>A <strikethrough>crossed out</strikethrough> word.</p>

Output SXW formatting:

This is **bold text** and _italic text_.

A ~~crossed out~~ word.

(Visual formatting applied in SXW file,
 editable in StarOffice/OpenOffice)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is FB2 format?

A: FB2 (FictionBook 2) is an XML-based ebook format created in Russia in 2004. It's designed for storing fiction with rich metadata including author info, genres, cover images, and structured content. FB2 is extremely popular in Eastern Europe and CIS countries, supported by readers like FBReader, Cool Reader, and Calibre.

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW (StarOffice Writer) is the legacy document format used by StarOffice versions 5-7 (1999-2005) and early OpenOffice releases. It's a ZIP-based container with XML content files. SXW has been replaced by ODT (Open Document Text) in modern office suites but can still be opened in LibreOffice and older OpenOffice versions.

Q: Will chapter structure be preserved?

A: Yes! FB2's section and title elements are converted to SXW heading styles (Heading 1 for chapters, Heading 2 for subsections). The hierarchical structure is maintained using StarOffice's paragraph styles, making the document easy to navigate and edit.

Q: What happens to images in FB2?

A: FB2 stores images as Base64-encoded data within the XML. During conversion, images are extracted and embedded into the SXW file. The SXW format stores images within its ZIP container, so all images remain accessible when opening the document.

Q: Can I edit SXW files in modern software?

A: Yes! LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice can open and edit SXW files. However, it's recommended to convert SXW to ODT (modern Open Document format) for better compatibility. You can do this by opening the SXW file and using "Save As" to save in ODT format.

Q: What software opens SXW files?

A: SXW files open in LibreOffice Writer, Apache OpenOffice Writer, and legacy StarOffice versions (5.x-7.x). For best results, use LibreOffice (free and open-source) which provides full compatibility. Microsoft Word can open SXW with varying success.

Q: Should I use SXW or ODT?

A: For modern use, ODT is preferred. SXW is a legacy format maintained for compatibility. If converting FB2 to editable format, consider converting to ODT instead unless you specifically need SXW for legacy systems or software that only supports this format.

Q: Is formatting preserved during conversion?

A: Yes! Bold, italic, and other text formatting from FB2 is converted to SXW character styles. Paragraphs, lists, and basic tables are also preserved. The SXW format supports rich formatting, so most FB2 content structure translates well.