OpenOffice.org 2.3.1

OpenOffice.org 2 is the leading open-source office software suite application for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more.

It stores all your data in an international open standard format(OpenDocument standard) and can also read and write files from other common office software packages(like Microsoft Office '97-2003 formats, among many others). It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose(it's available under the GNU Lesser General Public License).

OpenOffice.org is a collection of applications that work together closely to provide the features expected from a modern office suite. Many of the components are designed to mirror those available in Microsoft Office.

The components available include:

• WriterA - word processor
• CalcA - spreadsheet
  
• ImpressA - presentation program
  
• BaseA - database program
  
• DrawA - vector graphics editor
  
• MathA - creating and editing mathematical formulas

WriterAWriterA word processor similar in look and feel to Microsoft Word and offering a comparable range of functions and tools. It also includes the ability to export Portable Document Format (PDF) files with no additional software, and can also function as a WYSIWYG editor for creating and editing web pages. One important difference between Writer and Microsoft Word is that in Writer, many functions and number formats from Calc (below) are available in Writer’s tables.


CalcACalcA spreadsheet similar to Microsoft Excel with a roughly equivalent range of features. Calc provides a number of features not present in Excel, including a system which automatically defines series for graphing, based on the layout of the user’s data. Calc is also capable of writing spreadsheets directly as a PDF file.


ImpressAImpressA presentation program similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. It can export presentations to Adobe Flash (SWF) files allowing them to be played on any computer with the Flash player installed. It also includes the ability to create PDF files, and the ability to read Microsoft PowerPoint's .ppt format. Impress suffers from a lack of ready-made presentation designs. However, templates are readily available on the Internet.


BaseABaseA database program similar to Microsoft Access. Base allows the creation and manipulation of databases, and the building of forms and reports to provide easy access to data for end-users. As with Access, Base may be used as a front-end to a number of different database systems, including Access databases (JET), ODBC data sources and MySQL/PostgreSQL.
Base became part of the suite starting with version 2.0. Native to the OpenOffice.org suite is an adaptation of HSQL. While ooBase can be a front-end for any of the databases listed, there is no need for any of them to be installed.


DrawADrawA vector graphics editor comparable in features to CorelDRAW. It features versatile "connectors" between shapes, which are available in a range of line styles and facilitate building drawings such as flowcharts.
It has similar features to Desktop publishing software such as Scribus and Microsoft Publisher.


MathAMathA tool for creating and editing mathematical formulas, similar to Microsoft Equation Editor. Formulas can be embedded inside other OpenOffice.org documents, such as those created by Writer. It supports multiple fonts and can export to PDF.

• License: LGPL
  
• Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
• Limitations: No limitations
• Publisher link : OpenOffice.org
• Download link : OpenOffice 2.3.1 (107 MB)