Convert ODT to SXW

Why Convert ODT to SXW?

Converting ODT to SXW format is necessary when you need to work with legacy systems running StarOffice 6-8 or OpenOffice.org 1.x. While ODT is the modern ISO standard for office documents, SXW was the native format for these older office suites before the OpenDocument Format was standardized by OASIS in 2005. Some organizations and legacy environments still require documents in this older format.

SXW (StarOffice Writer) format was developed by Sun Microsystems for StarOffice and early versions of OpenOffice.org. Both SXW and ODT share a similar architecture -- XML content stored inside a ZIP container -- but they use different XML namespaces and schemas. The SXW format served as the precursor and direct inspiration for the standardized ODT format that replaced it.

This conversion is particularly useful when accessing old document archives, working with systems that have not been upgraded from StarOffice or OpenOffice.org 1.x, or when maintaining compatibility with legacy workflows that specifically require the SXW format. Some government agencies and enterprise environments with older IT infrastructure may still depend on software that only understands SXW files.

It is important to note that SXW is a deprecated format. No new software is being developed with SXW support, and modern office suites have dropped export capability for this format. For any new document creation, ODT or DOCX should be used instead. Convert to SXW only when there is a specific legacy requirement that cannot be met by the modern ODT format.

Key Benefits of Converting ODT to SXW:

• Legacy Compatibility: Works with StarOffice 6, 7, and 8 installations
• Old OpenOffice Support: Compatible with OpenOffice.org 1.0 and 1.1 versions
• Archive Access: Open and work with old document repositories
• System Requirements: Support for older systems that cannot run modern software
• Backward Compatibility: Maintain workflows with legacy office suites
• Format Preservation: Keep documents in the format expected by legacy systems
• Migration Support: Facilitate gradual migration from legacy to modern formats

Practical Examples

Example 1: Legacy System Document Exchange

Input ODT file (report.odt):

Modern LibreOffice document:
- Company Report 2025
- Formatted headings and sections
- Tables with financial data
- Embedded charts and images
- Headers and footers with page numbers

Output SXW file (report.sxw):

Legacy-compatible document:
- Opens in StarOffice 6, 7, and 8
- Compatible with OpenOffice.org 1.x
- Basic formatting preserved
- Tables and images converted
- Works on older workstations
- Suitable for legacy document workflows

Example 2: Archive Document Migration

Input ODT file (policy.odt):

Company Policy Document
Created in: LibreOffice Writer 7.x

Contents:
- Policy guidelines and procedures
- Formatted sections with numbering
- Internal reference links
- Standard corporate formatting

Output SXW file (policy.sxw):

Archive-ready document:
- Compatible with legacy document system
- Works with StarOffice archive viewer
- Accessible on older terminals
- Maintains essential document structure
- Readable in old office suite versions
- Suitable for long-term legacy storage

Example 3: Old Workstation Integration

Input ODT file (memo.odt):

Internal Memorandum
TO: Department Heads
FROM: IT Department
RE: System Update

Text content with formatting:
- Bold headings and emphasis
- Bulleted and numbered lists
- Standard paragraph formatting

Output SXW file (memo.sxw):

Legacy system compatible:
- Opens on OpenOffice.org 1.1.5
- Works with StarOffice 7
- No software upgrade required
- Compatible with older workstations
- Preserves essential text formatting
- Maintains document workflow continuity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW (StarOffice Writer) is the legacy document format used by StarOffice 6-8 and OpenOffice.org 1.x before the standardization of the OpenDocument Format (ODT) in 2005. It was developed by Sun Microsystems and served as the direct predecessor to the modern ODT format.

Q: Why would I need to convert to SXW today?

A: While SXW is deprecated, you may need it for accessing legacy systems, working with old document archives, or supporting environments that still run StarOffice or OpenOffice.org 1.x. Some organizations with legacy infrastructure may still require this format for compatibility.

Q: Will all formatting be preserved in the conversion?

A: Basic formatting like fonts, colors, bold, italic, tables, and images will be preserved. However, modern ODT features that did not exist in the SXW era (such as advanced track changes, certain formula types, or complex styles) may be simplified or lost during conversion.

Q: Can modern software open SXW files?

A: LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice can import (open) SXW files, but they may not support saving in SXW format. Modern versions have dropped SXW export support since ODT is the standard. Microsoft Word and Google Docs do not support SXW format.

Q: Is SXW the same as ODT?

A: No. While both are XML-based ZIP archives used by OpenOffice-family applications, they have different XML schemas and namespaces. SXW uses Sun Microsystems' original XML format, while ODT uses the OASIS OpenDocument Format standard. ODT is the modern, standardized successor to SXW.

Q: Should I use SXW for new documents?

A: No. SXW is deprecated and not recommended for new documents. Use ODT (OpenDocument Text) for new documents as it is the modern ISO standard with better feature support and wider compatibility. Only use SXW when specifically required for legacy system compatibility.

Q: Can I convert SXW back to ODT?

A: Yes, SXW to ODT conversion is straightforward. When you open an SXW file in modern LibreOffice or OpenOffice, you should save it as ODT to use the modern format. The conversion from SXW to ODT typically preserves all content since ODT supports all SXW features and more.

Q: What versions of StarOffice and OpenOffice use SXW?

A: SXW was the native format for StarOffice 6.0, 7, and 8, and for OpenOffice.org 1.x versions (1.0, 1.1, 1.1.5). Starting with OpenOffice.org 2.0 (released in October 2005), the native format changed to ODT (OpenDocument Format), making SXW a legacy format.