Convert ORG to SXW

Why Convert ORG to SXW?

Converting Org-mode documents to SXW format is primarily useful for compatibility with legacy systems and historical document archives. While SXW has been superseded by the ODF format (ODT), some organizations still maintain archives or systems that specifically require the older SXW format.

This conversion is valuable when working with older document management systems that were built around OpenOffice.org 1.x and haven't been updated to support newer formats. Government agencies, large enterprises, and institutions with long document retention requirements may still encounter SXW requirements.

If you're migrating content from Org-mode to a legacy system or need to integrate with an existing document archive that uses SXW, this conversion ensures compatibility without requiring manual reformatting.

Note that for most modern use cases, converting to ODT (OpenDocument Text) is recommended instead, as it's the actively maintained successor to SXW with broader software support.

Key Benefits of Converting ORG to SXW:

• Legacy Compatibility: Works with older OpenOffice.org systems
• Archive Integration: Compatible with historical document archives
• XML-Based: Content can be inspected and extracted
• Format Preservation: Maintains document structure and styling
• LibreOffice Support: Can be opened and edited in LibreOffice
• Migration Path: Intermediate step when updating old archives
• Regulatory Compliance: Meet legacy format requirements

Practical Examples

Example 1: Business Report

Input ORG file (report.org):

#+TITLE: Annual Sales Report
#+AUTHOR: Sales Department
#+DATE: 2024-01-15

* Executive Summary

Sales increased by *15%* compared to last year.

* Regional Performance

| Region    | 2023 Sales | 2024 Sales | Growth |
|-----------+------------+------------+--------|
| North     | $2.5M      | $2.9M      | 16%    |
| South     | $1.8M      | $2.0M      | 11%    |
| East      | $2.2M      | $2.6M      | 18%    |
| West      | $1.5M      | $1.7M      | 13%    |

* Recommendations

1. Increase focus on Eastern region
2. Develop new product line
3. Expand marketing initiatives

Output SXW file (report.sxw):

The SXW file opens in LibreOffice/OpenOffice showing:

Annual Sales Report
===================
Sales Department | January 15, 2024

Executive Summary
-----------------
Sales increased by 15% compared to last year.

Regional Performance
--------------------
[Formatted table with borders and alignment]

Recommendations
---------------
1. Increase focus on Eastern region
2. Develop new product line
3. Expand marketing initiatives

Example 2: Technical Document

Input ORG file (technical.org):

#+TITLE: System Specification
#+AUTHOR: Engineering Team

* Overview

This document describes the /technical specifications/
for the new system architecture.

* Hardware Requirements

- Processor: Intel Core i7 or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM minimum
- Storage: 500 GB SSD

* Software Dependencies

#+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
- Operating System: Linux, Windows, macOS
- Runtime: Java 11+
- Database: PostgreSQL 13+
#+END_EXAMPLE

* Configuration

The system uses environment variables:

| Variable      | Default     | Description          |
|---------------+-------------+----------------------|
| DB_HOST       | localhost   | Database server host |
| DB_PORT       | 5432        | Database port        |
| LOG_LEVEL     | INFO        | Logging verbosity    |

Output SXW file (technical.sxw):

System Specification
====================
Engineering Team

Overview
--------
This document describes the technical specifications
for the new system architecture.

Hardware Requirements
---------------------
- Processor: Intel Core i7 or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM minimum
- Storage: 500 GB SSD

Software Dependencies
---------------------
[Monospace formatted block]

Configuration
-------------
[Configuration table with proper formatting]

Example 3: Meeting Minutes

Input ORG file (minutes.org):

#+TITLE: Board Meeting Minutes
#+DATE: [2024-01-10 Wed]

* Attendees

- John Smith (Chair)
- Jane Doe (Secretary)
- Bob Wilson (Treasurer)

* Agenda Items

** Budget Approval

The *2024 budget* was reviewed and approved unanimously.

** New Initiatives

Discussion of proposed initiatives:

1. Website redesign
2. Community outreach program
3. Membership drive

** Action Items

- [ ] Jane: Distribute approved budget
- [ ] Bob: Prepare financial projections
- [X] John: Schedule next meeting

Output SXW file (minutes.sxw):

Board Meeting Minutes
=====================
January 10, 2024

Attendees
---------
- John Smith (Chair)
- Jane Doe (Secretary)
- Bob Wilson (Treasurer)

Agenda Items
------------

Budget Approval
The 2024 budget was reviewed and approved unanimously.

New Initiatives
Discussion of proposed initiatives:
1. Website redesign
2. Community outreach program
3. Membership drive

Action Items
- Jane: Distribute approved budget
- Bob: Prepare financial projections
- John: Schedule next meeting (completed)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW (StarOffice/OpenOffice.org Writer) was the default document format for OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice before the adoption of ODF (Open Document Format). It's an XML-based format stored in a ZIP archive, similar to modern office formats.

Q: Is SXW still supported?

A: While SXW is a legacy format, LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice can still open and edit SXW files. However, for new documents, the successor format ODT (OpenDocument Text) is strongly recommended.

Q: Why would I need SXW instead of ODT?

A: You might need SXW for compatibility with legacy systems, document management systems built for OpenOffice.org 1.x, or when working with historical document archives that specifically require this format.

Q: Can Microsoft Word open SXW files?

A: Microsoft Word doesn't natively support SXW. To open SXW files in Word, first open them in LibreOffice and save as DOCX, or use a conversion tool. Our service can help with this conversion.

Q: Will formatting be preserved?

A: Yes, basic formatting like bold, italic, headers, lists, and tables are preserved in the SXW output. The document structure is maintained and will appear correctly when opened in compatible software.

Q: What about Org-mode specific features?

A: Org-mode specific features like TODO states, timestamps, and code execution are not preserved as they have no equivalent in SXW. These elements are converted to plain text or formatted appropriately for document viewing.

Q: Can I convert SXW to other formats later?

A: Yes, LibreOffice can convert SXW files to many formats including ODT, DOCX, PDF, and HTML. This makes SXW a useful intermediate format for document migrations.

Q: Should I use SXW for new projects?

A: No, for new projects we recommend using ODT (OpenDocument Text) instead of SXW. ODT is actively maintained, has broader software support, and is the ISO standardized successor to SXW.