Convert SXW to EPUB
Max file size 100mb.
SXW vs EPUB Format Comparison
| Aspect | SXW (Source Format) | EPUB (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
SXW
StarOffice/OpenOffice.org Writer Document
SXW is a legacy word processing document format used by StarOffice and early versions of OpenOffice.org Writer. It is a ZIP archive containing XML files (content.xml, styles.xml, meta.xml) that define the document structure, formatting, and metadata. SXW was the predecessor to the modern ODT format and can still be opened by LibreOffice and OpenOffice. Legacy Format ZIP/XML-Based |
EPUB
Electronic Publication
EPUB is the open standard ebook format maintained by the W3C. It is a ZIP archive containing XHTML content, CSS styles, images, and metadata in a standardized structure. EPUB supports reflowable content that adapts to different screen sizes, making it the most widely supported ebook format across devices and reading applications. Ebook Format Open Standard |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: ZIP archive containing XML files (content.xml, styles.xml, meta.xml)
Developed By: Sun Microsystems (StarOffice/OpenOffice.org) MIME Type: application/vnd.sun.xml.writer Extension: .sxw Based On: OpenOffice.org XML format (pre-ODF) |
Structure: ZIP archive with XHTML, CSS, OPF, and NCX files
Standard: EPUB 2.0.1 (IDPF/W3C) MIME Type: application/epub+zip Content: XHTML 1.1 with CSS 2.1 Extension: .epub |
| Syntax Examples |
SXW documents contain XML content within a ZIP archive: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<office:document-content>
<office:body>
<office:text>
<text:h text:style-name="Heading_1">
Chapter One: The Beginning
</text:h>
<text:p text:style-name="Text_Body">
The story begins here...
</text:p>
</office:text>
</office:body>
</office:document-content>
|
EPUB contains XHTML files within a ZIP archive: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <title>Chapter One</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css"/> </head> <body> <h1>Chapter One: The Beginning</h1> <p>The story begins here...</p> </body> </html> |
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| Version History |
Introduced: 2002 with StarOffice 6.0 / OpenOffice.org 1.0
Developer: Sun Microsystems Superseded By: ODT (ODF 1.0, 2005) Status: Legacy format, read-only support in modern software |
EPUB 2.0: 2007 (IDPF standard)
EPUB 2.0.1: 2010 (maintenance update) EPUB 3.0: 2011 (HTML5, CSS3, multimedia) Status: W3C standard, widely adopted |
| Software Support |
Office Suites: LibreOffice, Apache OpenOffice
Converters: Pandoc (reads as ODT), unoconv Legacy: StarOffice 6.0+, OpenOffice.org 1.x-2.x Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux |
E-Readers: Kobo, Nook, PocketBook, Tolino
Apps: Apple Books, Google Play Books, Calibre Creators: Sigil, Calibre, Pandoc, Adobe InDesign Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux |
Why Convert SXW to EPUB?
Converting SXW to EPUB transforms legacy StarOffice/OpenOffice.org Writer documents into portable ebooks that can be read on virtually any e-reader, tablet, or smartphone. EPUB is the most widely supported open ebook standard, compatible with devices from Kobo, Nook, PocketBook, Apple, and others.
SXW documents containing manuscripts, novels, educational materials, or reference guides can find new life as EPUB ebooks. The reflowable nature of EPUB means the content automatically adapts to different screen sizes, from small phone displays to large tablet screens, providing an optimal reading experience on every device.
EPUB provides features specifically designed for reading: adjustable font sizes, bookmarks, annotations, text search, and a navigable table of contents. These features greatly enhance the reading experience compared to viewing SXW files in an office suite, which is designed for document editing rather than comfortable reading.
The conversion process extracts content from the SXW ZIP archive, converts headings into chapter structure, generates XHTML content files with CSS styling, and creates the EPUB navigation structure (NCX/OPF). The result is a standards-compliant EPUB file ready for distribution and reading.
Key Benefits of Converting SXW to EPUB:
- Universal Reading: Compatible with all major e-readers and reading apps
- Reflowable Content: Text adapts to any screen size automatically
- Chapter Navigation: Built-in table of contents for easy navigation
- Portable: Carry entire document libraries on a single device
- Open Standard: W3C standard with no vendor lock-in
- Publishing Ready: Upload directly to ebook stores and libraries
Practical Examples
Example 1: Novel Manuscript
Input SXW file (manuscript.sxw):
A completed novel manuscript written in StarOffice Writer with chapter headings, prose paragraphs, and a title page.
Output EPUB file (manuscript.epub):
A professionally structured ebook with a cover page, navigable table of contents, individual chapter pages, and reflowable text. The EPUB can be read on any e-reader with adjustable font sizes, bookmarks, and reading progress tracking.
Example 2: Course Materials
Input SXW file (course.sxw):
An OpenOffice.org Writer document containing lecture notes, study guides, and practice questions organized by topic.
Output EPUB file (course.epub):
A portable study guide ebook with topic-based chapters, searchable text, and navigation for quick access to specific sections. Students can read the materials on their phones, tablets, or e-readers without needing office software.
Example 3: Company Handbook
Input SXW file (handbook.sxw):
A legacy employee handbook from StarOffice with policies, procedures, and organizational information.
Output EPUB file (handbook.epub):
A mobile-friendly employee handbook that can be distributed to all employees. The EPUB format makes it easy to search for specific policies, bookmark important sections, and read on any device without requiring an office suite.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I read the EPUB on a Kindle?
A: Amazon Kindle devices do not natively support EPUB. However, recent Kindle models support EPUB via the Send to Kindle feature. Alternatively, you can use Calibre to convert the EPUB to AZW3 or MOBI format for older Kindle devices. Our converter also offers direct SXW to AZW3 conversion.
Q: Will the chapter structure be preserved?
A: Yes, the converter uses the heading hierarchy from your SXW document to create the EPUB chapter structure and table of contents. Level 1 headings become chapter breaks, and lower-level headings become sub-sections within chapters.
Q: Are images from the SXW document included in the EPUB?
A: Yes, embedded images are extracted from the SXW archive and included in the EPUB file. Images are optimized for screen display and positioned according to the original document layout where possible.
Q: What is the difference between EPUB and EPUB3?
A: EPUB 2 uses XHTML 1.1 and CSS 2.1, while EPUB 3 supports HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, multimedia, and accessibility features. Our SXW to EPUB converter produces EPUB 2 for maximum compatibility. We also offer SXW to EPUB3 conversion for the newer standard.
Q: Can I publish the EPUB on ebook stores?
A: Yes, EPUB is the standard format accepted by Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books, and most other ebook retailers. The converted file can be uploaded directly to these platforms for distribution after adding appropriate metadata and a cover image.
Q: How does the converter handle page headers and footers?
A: EPUB does not support traditional page headers and footers since it uses reflowable content without fixed pages. Header and footer content from the SXW document is not included in the EPUB output. Essential information from headers/footers should be incorporated into the document body before conversion.
Q: Will footnotes work in the EPUB?
A: Yes, footnotes from the SXW document are converted to EPUB footnote links. In most reading applications, tapping a footnote reference jumps to the footnote text, and tapping again returns to the reading position.
Q: Can I add a cover image to the EPUB?
A: If your SXW document contains a cover image, it will be used as the EPUB cover. If not, you can add a cover image after conversion using an EPUB editor like Sigil or Calibre's metadata editor.