[Solved] Doesn't open an AOO file with double-click

[Hagar Delest]

To open a file, I have to use the Open menu command from within the application. Other methods do not work. The proper app is specified in "open all files like this", but nothing. This happens on Calc and doc files (but I mostly use Calc). What could be the problem? (I have 4.1.5, Mac OSX 10.11.6)

[Zizi64]

To open a file,

Which type of files did you meant? The native ODF or the MS Office related ones?

[MrProgrammer]

To open a file, I have to use the Open menu command from within the application. Other methods do not work. The proper app is specified in "open all files like this", but nothing.

See [Tutorial] Mac FAQ
Q33/A33 (making sure to follow all directions precisely)
Q28/A28 (does the failure occur with the Guest user?)
Q02/A02 (profile reset, especially if the Guest user works)
Q04/A04 A03/A03 (unlikely to fix the problem but perhaps worth a try)

If File → Open in Open Office works but File → Open in Finder doesn't, this suggests the problem is with Mac OS and not with OpenOffice. You might want to search for advice in Apple forums about deleting Finder's preferenes (com.apple.finder.plist) so they can be reinitialized if the Guest user works. Profile resets fix all kinds of weird problems, but may not help for this one.

If you do solve the problem it will help us to know what the solution was.

[eleanorb]

Happens with native .ods files. Haven't tried with guest user, will do that.

[dilmotelmi]

Did you try upgrading to macOS 10.14.1 and then giving it a shot, I guess the bug is fixed for the latest version as that worked for my friend facing quite a similar issue if not exact.

[eleanorb]

I'm ashamed to say that this problem is no longer occurring for me. I'm ashamed because I didn't record when or how it stopped, so I can't be a responsible netizen and share the information. I can only apologize, and hope to save you the trouble of further correspondence. Eleanor

[RoryOF]

For information: usually when an OO file does not open with a double click, the computer has lost the File Association that tells it to use OO to open that type of file. By right clicking on a file of a given type, one normally gets a popup menu to say (words to the effect) "Open with" presenting a list of applications. From these one should select OpenOffice and find the option that says (words to the effect) "always open with this application". If OO is not offered as an application there may be a further link to "other applications", which allows one to navigate to and select OpenOffice.

For specific operating systems there may be shortcut methods of doing this for all OO-type files, rather than individually for each type of file.