Tips to open ODF file

Can't open the ODF file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open ODF files as well as a list of programs that support ODF files.

ODF file extension

File Name OpenDocument Formula
File Developer Oracle
File Category Misc Files

The ODF file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the ODF files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the ODF file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is ODF file?

The file with the extension ODF is the Misc Files file type. The author of this format is Oracle. Misc Files consists of 6033 similar files. OpenDocument Formula appears on 3 operating systems as a functional file. These systems consist of Linux, Mac OS, Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. The main program that supports this format is Apache OpenOffice. This was created by Apache Software Foundation. This file type can also be opened by 6 other programs. The Microsoft Office, LibreOffice Math, LibreOffice Writer, StarOffice programs will also handle the file when the Apache OpenOffice program does not fulfill its role.

How to open ODF file?

An often recurring problem with OpenDocument Formula is that ODF is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that ODF files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the ODF file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Apache OpenOffice

In this case, you should first verify that the Apache OpenOffice application is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name Apache OpenOffice into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open ODF files.

Step 2. Create association of Apache OpenOffice with ODF files

If, despite the installed application, the ODF file does not start in the Apache OpenOffice application, you must create a file association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Apache OpenOffice application as the default for handling the ODF file.

Step 3. Update Apache OpenOffice to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Apache OpenOffice program with the OpenDocument Formula file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Apache Software Foundation website and install the latest version.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the ODF file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. File problems can be divided into the following:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. Usually this applies to ODF files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the ODF file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover ODF files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the ODF file. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair ODF file corruption. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting Oracle, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted ODF files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. If possible, you can try to move the ODF file to another location.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Just close unnecessary programs. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the ODF file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.