What is Apache OpenOffice Writer?
Apache OpenOffice Writer is a modern, fully equipped word processor that serves as an alternative to other popular word processing software like Microsoft Word and Corel’s WordPerfect. It is part of the free and open-source Apache OpenOffice productivity suite, making it accessible to users across various operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Key Features and Functionality
Document Creation and Editing
Writer is capable of handling everything from simple memos to complex books, including contents, diagrams, indexes, and more. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to focus on their content while the software handles the formatting and presentation.
Wizards and Templates
The software includes wizards that simplify the creation of standard documents such as letters, faxes, agendas, and minutes. Users can also create their own templates or download them from the OpenOffice Extensions repository.
Styles and Formatting
Writer provides robust style and formatting options, enabling users to apply consistent styles throughout their documents using style sheets. This feature centralizes the management of document appearance, making it easier to maintain a professional look.
AutoCorrect and AutoComplete
The AutoCorrect dictionary checks spelling as you type, trapping typing mistakes on the fly. Additionally, the AutoComplete feature suggests common words and phrases to reduce typing effort.
Desktop Publishing
Writer includes features for desktop publishing, such as text frames and linking, which are useful for creating newsletters, flyers, and other laid-out documents. It also supports embedding or linking graphics, spreadsheets, and other objects.
Advanced Document Management
For complex documents, Writer offers the ability to generate tables of contents, indexes, bibliographical references, illustrations, tables, and other objects. It also supports multi-page display, which is ideal for editing large documents, especially on large or multiple monitors.
Collaboration Tools
The notes feature allows users to add comments and notes to the side of the document, making it easier to read and track changes. Notes from different users are displayed in different colors along with the editing date and time.
Export and Compatibility
Writer supports various export formats, including HTML for web publishing, MediaWiki format for wiki publishing, and Portable Document Format (PDF) with extensive formatting and security options. It also supports the OpenDocument format (ODT), ensuring compatibility with other OpenDocument-compliant software. Additionally, Writer can read and save documents in Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx), making it easy to share documents with users of other word processing software.
Additional Features
Other notable features include mail merge capabilities, master documents to group multiple documents into one, change tracking during revisions, and database integration, including a bibliography database. Writer also includes built-in drawing tools and the ability to export PDFs with bookmarks.
In summary, Apache OpenOffice Writer is a powerful and flexible word processor that offers a wide array of features to meet various document creation needs, from simple documents to complex publications, all while ensuring compatibility and ease of use.