Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

I began using odb several years ago, to keep track of an ever expanding collection of data.
Today, when I tried to edit the file, it wouldn't open. A filter selection dialog appears. Available filter list goes: "Microsoft Word 97/2000 / XP template" and, then, "ODF Chart".
There is no odb.

Is this the problem? Can I fix it?

Look at Tools->Options->Open Office->Paths->Backups to find the directory where automatic backups are stored. With a little luck you might find a usable backup there.
If you don't find anything there then look at this tutorial
[Tutorial] Recovering a damaged odb file
Report back here to let us know whether you succeeded or not. Sometimes one of Volunteers here can recover at least some of the data.

Data loss is a common problem with Embedded Base databases so frequent backups are necessary.
To dramatically reduce the chances of data loss in the future you should consider using a Split database. There are a couple of tutorials on doing that.
[Wizard] Create a new 'split' HSQL 2.x database
[Tutorial] Splitting an "embedded HSQL database"