Convert TEX to SXW
Max file size 100mb.
TEX vs SXW Format Comparison
| Aspect | TEX (Source Format) | SXW (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
TEX / LaTeX
Document Preparation System
LaTeX is a high-quality typesetting system designed for scientific and technical documentation. Created by Leslie Lamport as a macro package for Donald Knuth's TeX system, it's the standard for academic publishing, especially in mathematics, physics, and computer science. Scientific Academic |
SXW
StarOffice Writer Document
SXW is the native document format for StarOffice Writer and early versions of OpenOffice Writer. It's a ZIP-compressed XML-based format that was the precursor to the modern ODF (Open Document Format). While largely superseded by ODT, SXW files are still encountered in legacy systems. Legacy OpenOffice |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: Plain text with markup commands
Encoding: UTF-8 or ASCII Format: Open standard (TeX/LaTeX) Processing: Compiled to DVI/PDF Extensions: .tex, .latex, .ltx |
Structure: ZIP archive with XML content
Encoding: UTF-8 (XML files inside) Format: Proprietary (Sun Microsystems) Processing: Direct editing in office suites Extensions: .sxw |
| Syntax Examples |
LaTeX uses backslash commands: \documentclass{article}
\title{My Document}
\author{John Doe}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
This is a paragraph with
\textbf{bold} and \textit{italic}.
\begin{itemize}
\item First item
\item Second item
\end{itemize}
$E = mc^2$
\end{document}
|
SXW stores content as XML (inside ZIP): <?xml version="1.0"?>
<office:document-content>
<office:body>
<text:h text:style-name="Heading">
Introduction
</text:h>
<text:p>
This is a paragraph with
<text:span text:style-name="Bold">
bold
</text:span> text.
</text:p>
</office:body>
</office:document-content>
|
| Content Support |
|
|
| Advantages |
|
|
| Disadvantages |
|
|
| Common Uses |
|
|
| Best For |
|
|
| Version History |
TeX Introduced: 1978 (Donald Knuth)
LaTeX Introduced: 1984 (Leslie Lamport) Current Version: LaTeX2e (1994+) Status: Active development (LaTeX3) |
Introduced: 1999 (StarOffice 5.2)
Developer: Sun Microsystems Status: Legacy (replaced by ODT) Successor: ODF/ODT format (2005) |
| Software Support |
TeX Live: Full distribution (all platforms)
MiKTeX: Windows distribution Overleaf: Online editor/compiler Editors: TeXstudio, TeXmaker, VS Code |
LibreOffice: Read/Write support
Apache OpenOffice: Native support Microsoft Office: Limited import Pandoc: Via ODT conversion |
Why Convert LaTeX to StarOffice Writer (SXW)?
Converting LaTeX documents to SXW format is useful when you need to share documents with users of legacy StarOffice or early OpenOffice systems, or when working with archived documents in older office suite formats. While SXW has been largely superseded by ODT (Open Document Text), it remains relevant for legacy system compatibility.
SXW was the native format for StarOffice Writer, developed by Sun Microsystems. When Sun released the StarOffice source code as OpenOffice.org in 2000, SXW became the default format until the OASIS Open Document Format (ODF) was adopted in 2005. Today, LibreOffice and OpenOffice can still read and write SXW files.
The main reason to convert LaTeX to SXW today is legacy compatibility. Some organizations, particularly government agencies and educational institutions, maintain archives of SXW documents. Converting LaTeX content to SXW allows integration with these legacy systems without requiring recipients to install LaTeX software.
Key Benefits of Converting TEX to SXW:
- Legacy Compatibility: Work with older StarOffice/OpenOffice systems
- WYSIWYG Editing: Allow non-LaTeX users to edit documents visually
- Archive Integration: Add new content to existing SXW document archives
- Office Suite Workflow: Use familiar word processor interface
- Format Migration: Step toward converting to modern ODT format
- Collaboration: Share with users who don't have LaTeX
Practical Examples
Example 1: Academic Paper Section
Input TEX file (paper.tex):
\section{Introduction}
This paper presents our findings on quantum
computing algorithms. We demonstrate that
\textbf{Grover's algorithm} provides a
quadratic speedup for search problems.
\subsection{Background}
The complexity of classical search is $O(n)$,
while quantum search achieves $O(\sqrt{n})$.
Output SXW file (opened in Writer):
Introduction (Heading 1) This paper presents our findings on quantum computing algorithms. We demonstrate that Grover's algorithm (bold) provides a quadratic speedup for search problems. Background (Heading 2) The complexity of classical search is O(n), while quantum search achieves O(sqrt(n)).
Example 2: Document with Lists
Input TEX file (guide.tex):
\section{Installation}
\begin{enumerate}
\item Download the package
\item Extract the archive
\item Run the installer
\end{enumerate}
\textbf{Note:} Requires Python 3.8+
Output SXW file (opened in Writer):
Installation (Heading 1) 1. Download the package 2. Extract the archive 3. Run the installer Note: (bold) Requires Python 3.8+
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the SXW format?
A: SXW is the StarOffice Writer document format, used by StarOffice and early versions of OpenOffice.org. It's a ZIP-compressed archive containing XML files that define the document content, styles, and metadata. The format was the precursor to the modern ODF (Open Document Format) standard.
Q: Why would I convert to SXW instead of ODT?
A: The main reason is legacy compatibility. If you're working with older systems, archives, or users who specifically need SXW format, this conversion is necessary. For most modern uses, we recommend converting to ODT instead, as it's the current standard and has better support.
Q: Will my LaTeX equations be preserved?
A: Complex LaTeX equations may be simplified or converted to plain text in SXW format. StarOffice Writer has limited equation support compared to LaTeX. For documents with heavy mathematical content, consider keeping a LaTeX version for reference or using a format that better supports math.
Q: Can modern office suites open SXW files?
A: Yes, LibreOffice, Apache OpenOffice, and even Microsoft Office (with limitations) can open SXW files. LibreOffice and OpenOffice provide the best compatibility since they're direct descendants of the StarOffice codebase.
Q: Should I convert SXW to ODT afterward?
A: If you're creating new documents for modern use, yes. ODT is the current standard with better support and features. You can easily save an SXW file as ODT in LibreOffice or OpenOffice. SXW is mainly useful for legacy compatibility scenarios.
Q: What formatting is preserved in the conversion?
A: Basic formatting like bold, italic, headings, lists, and tables are preserved. Complex LaTeX features like custom macros, advanced math, TikZ graphics, and precise typographic control may be simplified or lost. The conversion prioritizes content accessibility over LaTeX's typographic precision.