Convert XLSX to SXW

Why Convert XLSX to SXW?

Converting XLSX Excel spreadsheets to SXW (StarOffice Writer) format is primarily useful for compatibility with legacy OpenOffice.org and StarOffice systems. Some organizations, particularly government agencies and institutions that adopted open-source software early, may still have workflows or archival requirements that use the SXW format.

The SXW format was the native document format for StarOffice Writer and OpenOffice.org Writer before the adoption of the Open Document Format (ODF). While it has been largely superseded by ODT, SXW files can still be opened by LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice, and some legacy systems may specifically require this format for document intake.

When converting XLSX to SXW, the spreadsheet data is transformed into a writer document containing formatted tables. Cell values, headers, and basic table structure are preserved in the output document. This creates a document-oriented view of the spreadsheet data that can be integrated into existing SXW-based workflows.

This conversion also serves as a bridge for migrating data from modern Microsoft Excel format to older open-source office formats. Organizations modernizing their document management systems may need to maintain backward compatibility with SXW during transition periods.

Key Benefits of Converting XLSX to SXW:

• Legacy Compatibility: Works with older OpenOffice.org and StarOffice systems
• Open Format: XML-based format that is vendor-independent
• Table Preservation: Spreadsheet data is converted to formatted tables
• Multi-Sheet Support: All worksheets are included in the document
• Free Software: Can be opened with free, open-source office suites
• Archive Compatible: Suitable for long-term document archiving
• ZIP Compression: Compact file size through ZIP packaging

Practical Examples

Example 1: Department Budget Report

Input XLSX file (budget.xlsx):

| Department  | Q1 Budget | Q2 Budget | Annual    |
|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Marketing   | $25,000   | $28,000   | $106,000  |
| Engineering | $80,000   | $85,000   | $330,000  |
| Sales       | $35,000   | $38,000   | $146,000  |

Output SXW file (budget.sxw) opens in LibreOffice Writer as a formatted table document with headers and bordered cells.

Example 2: Contact List

Input XLSX file (contacts.xlsx):

| Name        | Phone        | Email              | Company   |
|-------------|--------------|--------------------|-----------|
| Alice Smith | 555-0101     | [email protected]  | Acme Inc  |
| Bob Jones   | 555-0102     | [email protected]    | Beta Corp |
| Carol White | 555-0103     | [email protected]  | Gamma LLC |

Output SXW file contains a writer document with a properly structured table that can be viewed and edited in LibreOffice or OpenOffice.

Example 3: Inventory Report

Input XLSX file (inventory.xlsx):

| Item Code | Description    | Qty In Stock | Reorder Level |
|-----------|----------------|--------------|---------------|
| WH-001    | Laptop Stand   | 245          | 50            |
| WH-002    | Wireless Mouse | 180          | 100           |
| WH-003    | USB-C Hub      | 92           | 75            |

Output SXW file renders as a document with formatted tables in any StarOffice/OpenOffice compatible application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SXW format?

A: SXW (StarOffice Writer) is a document format used by StarOffice Writer and early versions of OpenOffice.org. It is a ZIP archive containing XML files that define document content, formatting, and metadata. SXW was introduced around 2000 and served as the basis for the later Open Document Format (ODF/ODT) standard. It is now considered a legacy format but remains supported by LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice.

Q: What software can open SXW files?

A: SXW files can be opened by LibreOffice Writer, Apache OpenOffice Writer, NeoOffice (macOS), and Calligra Words. LibreOffice provides the best compatibility and can also convert SXW files to modern formats like ODT or DOCX. Microsoft Word does not natively support SXW, but can open it via LibreOffice conversion.

Q: Why would I choose SXW over ODT?

A: In most cases, ODT is the preferred format as it is the modern successor to SXW. However, you might need SXW for compatibility with older OpenOffice.org installations (version 1.x), legacy document management systems that specifically require SXW, or archival purposes where documents need to match their original format.

Q: How are multiple Excel worksheets handled?

A: Each worksheet in the XLSX workbook is converted into a separate table within the SXW document. Sheet names appear as headings above each table, preserving the organizational structure of the original workbook in a document format.

Q: Are Excel formulas preserved?

A: The converter extracts the calculated values from Excel formulas. SXW is a document format, not a spreadsheet format, so formula expressions are not preserved. Instead, the computed results are displayed as static text values in the document tables, ensuring all data remains visible and accurate.

Q: Is SXW format still maintained?

A: No, SXW is no longer actively developed. It was superseded by the Open Document Format (ODF) in 2005. However, LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice continue to support reading and writing SXW files for backward compatibility. For new documents, ODT (ODF Text) is recommended.

Q: What is the relationship between SXW and ODF?

A: SXW was the original XML-based document format developed by Sun Microsystems for StarOffice. It served as the foundation for the OASIS Open Document Format (ODF), which was standardized as ISO/IEC 26300. ODF uses a similar ZIP+XML structure but with an updated namespace and additional features. SXW is essentially the direct ancestor of the modern ODT format.

Q: Can I convert SXW back to XLSX later?

A: The SXW file contains document-formatted tables, not spreadsheet data. While you can convert SXW to other formats using LibreOffice, the spreadsheet-specific features (formulas, cell references, data types) are not preserved in the document format. For round-trip compatibility, consider keeping the original XLSX file alongside the SXW version.