Convert RTF to SXW

Why Convert RTF to SXW?

Converting RTF documents to SXW format is necessary only for specific legacy compatibility scenarios with OpenOffice.org 1.x or StarOffice 6-7 systems. SXW (StarOffice Writer Document) was the native document format for these older office suites before being replaced by the OpenDocument Format (ODT) in 2005. Important: For modern use, ODT format is strongly recommended over SXW. SXW is maintained only for backward compatibility with very old systems.

SXW format was developed by Sun Microsystems as part of StarOffice and later contributed to the open-source OpenOffice.org project. It uses a ZIP archive containing XML files, similar to modern ODT format but with a different XML schema. When OpenOffice.org 2.0 was released in 2005, it adopted the OASIS OpenDocument Format (ODF), making SXW obsolete. Current versions of LibreOffice and OpenOffice can read SXW files for migration purposes but save only to ODT by default.

The main reason to convert RTF to SXW is to work with legacy OpenOffice.org 1.x installations that don't support ODT. This might occur in organizations with very old systems, archived document workflows, or when migrating data from ancient installations. However, in almost all cases, upgrading to modern LibreOffice and using ODT format is the better solution. SXW offers no advantages over ODT - it's simply an older, less compatible version of the same concept.

If you're maintaining documents for modern use, convert to ODT instead of SXW. ODT is the current international standard (ISO/IEC 26300), has better software support, and will ensure long-term accessibility. SXW should only be used when you have no other choice due to strict legacy system requirements. Modern LibreOffice can open SXW files and save them to ODT, providing an easy migration path.

Key Information about SXW Format:

• Legacy Format: Replaced by ODT in 2005, obsolete for modern use
• OpenOffice 1.x: Native format for OpenOffice.org 1.0-1.1 (2002-2004)
• StarOffice 6-7: Default format for StarOffice versions 6 and 7
• Limited Support: Modern software supports SXW only for import/migration
• ZIP-based: Similar structure to ODT but older XML schema
• Not Recommended: Use ODT for all modern document workflows
• Migration Path: Open SXW in LibreOffice, save as ODT

Practical Examples

Example 1: Legacy System Compatibility

Input RTF file (document.rtf):

{\rtf1\ansi\deff0
{\fonttbl{\f0 Arial;}}
{\b Project Documentation\b0}\par
\par
This document must work with OpenOffice.org 1.1
}

Output SXW file (document.sxw):

Legacy format compatible with:
✓ OpenOffice.org 1.0, 1.1, 1.1.5
✓ StarOffice 6, 7
✓ Modern LibreOffice (import only)
✓ ZIP-compressed XML structure
✓ All RTF formatting preserved

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Consider using ODT instead!
Modern LibreOffice and OpenOffice 2+ use ODT format.

Example 2: Document Archive Migration

Input RTF file (archive.rtf):

Company Archive Document

Date: 2003
Software: OpenOffice.org 1.0

This historical document needs to be in SXW format
for archive compatibility with the old system.

Output SXW file (archive.sxw):

Historical archive document:
✓ Compatible with OpenOffice.org 1.x
✓ XML-based for data extraction
✓ ZIP compression
✓ Preserves historical format

⚠️ MIGRATION RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open SXW file in LibreOffice
2. Save as ODT for modern format
3. ODT ensures better long-term preservation

Example 3: Legacy System Requirements

Input RTF file (report.rtf):

Technical Report

System: Legacy OpenOffice 1.1.5
Environment: Windows 2000
Requirement: Must be in SXW format

Report Content:
- System Analysis
- Performance Metrics
- Recommendations

Output SXW file (report.sxw):

Legacy-compatible document:
✓ Works with OpenOffice.org 1.1.5
✓ Windows 2000 compatible
✓ All formatting preserved
✓ Tables and lists supported

⚠️ UPGRADE PATH:
Consider upgrading to:
- LibreOffice (free, modern)
- Save documents as ODT
- Better features and support

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW (StarOffice Writer Document) is a legacy document format used by OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6-7. It's a ZIP archive containing XML files, similar to ODT but with an older XML schema. SXW was replaced by ODT (OpenDocument Text) in 2005 and is now obsolete. Modern software supports SXW only for importing legacy documents.

Q: Should I use SXW or ODT?

A: Always use ODT for modern documents! ODT is the current international standard (ISO/IEC 26300), has better software support, and ensures long-term preservation. Use SXW only when you absolutely must maintain compatibility with OpenOffice.org 1.x or StarOffice 6-7 systems. For all other cases, ODT is superior in every way.

Q: Can modern LibreOffice open SXW files?

A: Yes! LibreOffice can open and import SXW files for migration purposes. However, when you save the document, LibreOffice will default to ODT format (the modern standard). This is the recommended upgrade path: open SXW files in LibreOffice and save them as ODT for better compatibility and future-proofing.

Q: When was SXW format used?

A: SXW was the default format for OpenOffice.org 1.0 through 1.1.5 (released 2002-2004) and StarOffice 6-7. With the release of OpenOffice.org 2.0 in October 2005, the OASIS OpenDocument Format (ODF/ODT) became the new standard, making SXW obsolete. SXW hasn't been actively developed since 2005.

Q: How do I migrate from SXW to ODT?

A: Simple! Download LibreOffice (free), open your SXW files, and use "Save As" to convert them to ODT format. LibreOffice provides excellent SXW import support. The ODT format offers better features, wider compatibility, and is internationally standardized (ISO/IEC 26300). This migration ensures your documents remain accessible for decades.

Q: What's the difference between SXW and ODT?

A: Both are ZIP archives containing XML files. SXW uses Sun's proprietary XML schema (OpenOffice.org 1.x era), while ODT uses the OASIS OpenDocument XML schema (international standard). ODT has better software support, is actively maintained, and is mandated by governments worldwide. SXW is obsolete and exists only for legacy compatibility.

Q: Can Microsoft Word open SXW files?

A: Microsoft Word has limited or no support for SXW format. For best compatibility, use LibreOffice or OpenOffice to open SXW files and convert them to DOCX or ODT. If you need to share documents with Word users, save as DOCX. For open-source workflows, save as ODT.

Q: Is SXW format still developed?

A: No. SXW format development ceased in 2005 when it was replaced by ODT. The format is maintained only for backward compatibility - modern office suites can import SXW files but save to ODT by default. There will be no new features or improvements to SXW. It's a dead format kept alive only for migration purposes.