Convert TEXT to SXW

Why Convert TEXT to SXW?

Converting TEXT files to SXW format is necessary when working with legacy OpenOffice.org or StarOffice systems that require documents in the original OpenOffice.org XML format. SXW was the native writer document format for OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6 and 7, and some organizations and systems still rely on this format for historical compatibility and document management purposes.

The SXW format was a pioneering open-source document format that predated the ODF (Open Document Format) standard. It uses a ZIP archive containing XML files for content, styles, metadata, and settings. This structure influenced the development of ODF, which eventually became an international standard (ISO/IEC 26300). While SXW has been superseded by ODT, it remains important for accessing and working with documents from the early 2000s open-source office ecosystem.

Converting plain text to SXW adds formatting capabilities and document structure that plain text cannot provide. The SXW format supports rich text formatting, paragraph styles, tables, images, headers and footers, page numbering, and document metadata. For organizations maintaining archives of OpenOffice.org documents or running legacy document management systems, SXW format ensures compatibility with existing workflows and tools.

Modern office suites like LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice can still read and write SXW files, making the format accessible even today. However, for new documents, ODT or DOCX formats are generally recommended due to broader support and active development. Convert to SXW primarily when legacy system compatibility is required or when working with historical document collections in the OpenOffice.org format.

Key Benefits of Converting TEXT to SXW:

• Legacy Compatibility: Works with OpenOffice.org 1.x and StarOffice 6/7
• Open Format: XML-based open specification within ZIP archive
• Rich Formatting: Add fonts, styles, tables, and images to plain text
• Document Structure: Headers, footers, page numbers, and metadata
• Compression: ZIP archive reduces file size compared to raw XML
• Historical Archives: Compatible with early 2000s document collections
• LibreOffice Support: Fully editable in modern LibreOffice Writer

Practical Examples

Example 1: Legacy Document Migration

Input TEXT file (memo.text):

INTERNAL MEMORANDUM

To: All Department Heads
From: Management Office
Date: March 9, 2026
Subject: System Migration Update

The legacy document management system requires
all new documents to be submitted in SXW format
for compatibility with the archive system.

Please convert existing text files accordingly.

Output SXW file (memo.sxw):

Formatted OpenOffice.org Writer document:
- Bold "INTERNAL MEMORANDUM" heading
- Styled metadata fields (To, From, Date, Subject)
- Proper paragraph formatting and spacing
- Compatible with OpenOffice.org 1.x
- Opens in LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice
- ZIP-compressed XML content
- Ready for legacy document management system

Example 2: Archived Report

Input TEXT file (report.text):

Quarterly Review - Q4 2025

Executive Summary
Revenue exceeded targets by 12%.
Customer retention improved to 95%.

Key Metrics
New customers: 1,200
Revenue: $3.6M
Operating margin: 22%

Outlook
Q1 2026 forecast is optimistic.

Output SXW file (report.sxw):

Structured SXW report:
- Heading style for title and sections
- Formatted metrics with bold labels
- Proper paragraph and line spacing
- Document metadata (title, author, date)
- Compatible with legacy archive systems
- Smaller file size via ZIP compression
- Editable in LibreOffice Writer

Example 3: Policy Document

Input TEXT file (policy.text):

Data Retention Policy

1. Purpose
This policy defines data retention requirements.

2. Scope
Applies to all departments and data types.

3. Retention Periods
Financial records: 7 years
Employee records: Duration of employment + 5 years
Customer data: 3 years after last interaction

4. Review
This policy is reviewed annually.

Output SXW file (policy.sxw):

Professional policy document:
- Styled heading for document title
- Numbered section headings
- Formatted retention period table
- Page headers and footers
- Document metadata and properties
- Ready for institutional archive
- Compatible with OpenOffice.org systems

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the SXW format?

A: SXW is the native document format of OpenOffice.org Writer 1.x and StarOffice 6/7. It is a ZIP archive containing XML files that store document content, formatting styles, metadata, and embedded objects. SXW was the predecessor to the ODF (Open Document Format) standard and was widely used from 2002 to 2005 before being replaced by the ODT format.

Q: What is the TEXT format?

A: TEXT is a plain text file format using the .text extension. It contains only raw, unformatted characters with no styling, images, or structure. Similar to TXT files, the .text extension is universally recognized by all text editors and operating systems as a standard plain text document.

Q: Is SXW the same as ODT?

A: No. SXW is the older OpenOffice.org 1.x format, while ODT is the newer Open Document Format (ODF) that replaced it starting with OpenOffice.org 2.0 in 2005. Both are ZIP archives with XML content, but ODT follows the international ODF standard (ISO/IEC 26300) and has broader support. SXW was the precursor that influenced the ODF specification.

Q: What software can open SXW files?

A: LibreOffice Writer is the best modern application for opening SXW files, providing full read and write support. Apache OpenOffice also handles SXW natively. Microsoft Word offers limited import capability for SXW files. NeoOffice (Mac) and Calligra Suite (Linux) also support the format. Google Docs may be able to import some SXW files.

Q: Why would I need SXW format today?

A: SXW format is primarily needed for compatibility with legacy systems that still require OpenOffice.org 1.x format documents. Some government agencies, educational institutions, and organizations maintain document archives in SXW format. It may also be required when interacting with older document management systems that were built around the OpenOffice.org 1.x ecosystem.

Q: Should I use SXW or ODT for new documents?

A: Use ODT for new documents. ODT is the modern successor to SXW, based on the international ODF standard (ISO/IEC 26300), and has much broader software support. Only use SXW when specifically required for compatibility with legacy OpenOffice.org 1.x systems or StarOffice 6/7. For maximum compatibility with Microsoft Office, DOCX is recommended.

Q: Can I convert SXW to other formats later?

A: Yes. LibreOffice can open SXW files and save them as ODT, DOCX, DOC, PDF, RTF, HTML, and many other formats. This makes SXW a viable intermediate format that can be converted to modern formats when needed. For batch conversions, LibreOffice supports command-line conversion of SXW files.

Q: Does the converted SXW preserve all my text content?

A: Yes, all text content from your TEXT file is preserved in the SXW document. The conversion adds XML-based formatting structure, paragraph styles, and document metadata while maintaining every character of your original text. The SXW file can then be further formatted and enhanced in LibreOffice Writer or compatible applications.