Convert MediaWiki to SXW

Why Convert MediaWiki to SXW?

Converting MediaWiki markup to SXW format is necessary when you need to produce documents compatible with legacy StarOffice or OpenOffice.org 1.x systems. While SXW has been superseded by the modern ODT format, some organizations and archival systems still require documents in this older format. Converting wiki content to SXW ensures compatibility with these legacy environments while preserving the formatting and structure of the original wiki page.

SXW, introduced with OpenOffice.org 1.0 in 2000, was one of the first open-source document formats. It uses a ZIP-compressed package containing XML files for content, styles, and metadata, a design pattern that later influenced the OASIS Open Document Format (ODF). Although SXW lacks some features of modern formats, it provides solid word processing capabilities including styled text, tables, images, headers, footers, and table of contents generation.

The conversion from MediaWiki to SXW transforms wiki markup into a proper word processor document. Headings are converted to styled paragraph elements, bold and italic text becomes character formatting, wiki tables become SXW tables with borders and alignment, and lists become properly formatted numbered or bulleted lists. The resulting document looks professional and is ready for editing, printing, or distribution within legacy office environments.

This conversion is also useful as an intermediate step in document migration workflows. Organizations moving from wiki-based documentation to office document formats can convert to SXW and then further convert to ODT, DOCX, or PDF as needed. LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice both support opening SXW files and can save them in any modern format, providing a reliable migration path for wiki content.

Key Benefits of Converting MediaWiki to SXW:

• Legacy Compatibility: Works with StarOffice and OpenOffice.org 1.x systems
• Open Format: XML-based open structure, not proprietary binary
• Document Formatting: Full word processing styles, tables, and layout
• Compressed: ZIP compression keeps file sizes manageable
• Migration Path: Can be further converted to ODT, DOCX, or PDF
• Archival Use: Suitable for document archives requiring SXW format
• LibreOffice Support: Fully readable and editable in modern LibreOffice

Practical Examples

Example 1: Wiki Article to SXW Document

Input MediaWiki file (policy.wiki):

== Company Security Policy ==

=== Purpose ===
This policy establishes '''information security''' standards
for all employees of ''Acme Corporation''.

=== Scope ===
* All full-time employees
* All contractors and consultants
* All temporary staff

=== Password Requirements ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Requirement !! Standard
|-
| Minimum length || 12 characters
|-
| Complexity || Upper, lower, number, symbol
|-
| Expiration || 90 days
|}

Output SXW file (policy.sxw):

Formatted SXW document containing:
+ "Company Security Policy" as Heading 1
+ Subsections with Heading 2 styles
+ Bold and italic text preserved
+ Bulleted list with proper formatting
+ Formatted table with headers
+ Compatible with OpenOffice.org 1.x
+ Opens in LibreOffice Writer

Example 2: Wiki Meeting Notes to SXW

Input MediaWiki file (meeting.wiki):

== Board Meeting Minutes ==
'''Date:''' March 5, 2026
'''Attendees:''' J. Smith, A. Brown, C. Lee

=== Agenda Items ===
# Budget review for Q2
# New product launch timeline
# Hiring plan for Engineering

=== Decisions ===
* '''Budget:''' Approved $500K for Q2 initiatives
* '''Launch:''' Scheduled for June 15, 2026
* '''Hiring:''' Authorized 5 new positions

=== Action Items ===
{{Action|assignee=J. Smith|task=Prepare budget breakdown|due=March 12}}

Output SXW file (meeting.sxw):

Professional meeting minutes document:
+ Title and date/attendee information
+ Numbered agenda items
+ Bulleted decision items with bold labels
+ Action items formatted in table
+ Clean paragraph and list formatting
+ Ready for distribution as office document
+ Archivable in legacy document systems

Example 3: Wiki Technical Documentation to SXW

Input MediaWiki file (setup-guide.wiki):

== Server Setup Guide ==

=== Step 1: Install Dependencies ===
Run the following command:

 sudo apt-get install nginx postgresql

=== Step 2: Configure Database ===
Edit the configuration file:

 nano /etc/postgresql/14/main/pg_hba.conf

=== Step 3: Deploy Application ===
# Clone the repository
# Run migrations
# Start the service

See [[Troubleshooting]] for common issues.

Output SXW file (setup-guide.sxw):

Formatted technical document:
+ Clear section headings with styles
+ Code blocks in monospace font
+ Numbered procedural steps
+ Cross-reference note for troubleshooting
+ Professional document layout
+ Suitable for printing or archiving
+ Compatible with OpenOffice/LibreOffice

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW is the document format used by StarOffice Writer and OpenOffice.org Writer (versions 1.0 and 1.1). It is a ZIP-compressed archive containing XML files for document content, styles, metadata, and settings. SXW was the predecessor to the modern ODT (Open Document Text) format and was in use from 2000 to approximately 2005 before being replaced by the OASIS Open Document Format standard.

Q: Can modern software open SXW files?

A: Yes! LibreOffice Writer and Apache OpenOffice Writer can both open and edit SXW files with full compatibility. LibreOffice will typically suggest saving in the modern ODT format when you edit and save an SXW file. Most modern office suites that support ODF can also handle SXW files, as the format is structurally similar to ODT.

Q: Why would I choose SXW over ODT?

A: In most cases, ODT is the better choice as it is the modern standard with wider support. Choose SXW only when you need compatibility with legacy StarOffice or OpenOffice.org 1.x installations, when organizational policies require SXW format, or when working with archived documents from the early 2000s. For all new documents, ODT is strongly recommended over SXW.

Q: Will all wiki formatting be preserved?

A: Most standard formatting translates well to SXW. Headings, bold, italic, lists, tables, and basic layout are fully supported. Wiki-specific features like internal links, categories, and template calls are converted to their closest document equivalents (hyperlinks, metadata, and inline content respectively). Some advanced wiki formatting may require manual adjustment in the output document.

Q: How does SXW differ from ODT?

A: Both SXW and ODT are ZIP-compressed XML packages, but they use different XML schemas. SXW uses the original OpenOffice.org namespace, while ODT uses the OASIS Open Document Format specification (ISO/IEC 26300). ODT has broader industry support, more features, better interoperability with other office suites, and is an internationally recognized standard. SXW is essentially the ancestor of ODT.

Q: Can I convert SXW to other formats later?

A: Yes! Open the SXW file in LibreOffice Writer and use "Save As" to export to ODT, DOCX, PDF, RTF, HTML, or any other supported format. This makes SXW a useful intermediate format if you need to eventually produce documents in different formats. LibreOffice provides excellent conversion capabilities for all major document formats.

Q: Is SXW suitable for long-term archival?

A: While SXW is an open format based on XML, it is a legacy format no longer actively developed. For long-term archival, consider using PDF/A or ODT instead, as both are ISO standards with guaranteed long-term support. If you must archive in SXW format, ensure you also maintain copies in a more modern format for future accessibility.

Q: How are wiki images handled in SXW conversion?

A: Wiki image references are converted to embedded images in the SXW document when the source image files are available. The SXW format stores images inside the ZIP archive alongside the XML content. If the original images are hosted on the wiki server and not available locally, the image references are preserved as placeholders that can be updated with actual images later in a word processor.