[Solved] Trouble opening MS Word files in OpenOffice

[mr.markus]

I have read other posts that say that Open Office should be able to automatically import most Word files, although for complex files there may be some changes.
I can't seem to have any success whatsoever in importing word files, which is concerning. When I open up a .doc file that's downloaded from an e-mail attachment or the web, Open Office automatically tries to open it. Then a box pops up that says ASCII Filter Options. I select Western language, Times New Roman, etc (the seemingly preset preferences), but then when it opens the document it's just a scramble of symbols, numbers, and letters.
So I have just been converting everything to PDFs before trying to open them with OpenOffice. At least I can read them, but then I can't edit.
Is there a way that I can import Word files without all of this hassle?

I'd appreciate any advice.

[Hagar Delest]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

It may be an "error" in the file extension. Save it on your HD and try to change the extension to .docx for example.
If no luck, can you upload a sample file (see How to attach a document here)?

Please add '[Solved]' at the beginning of your first post title (edit button) if your issue has been fixed.

[mr.markus]

Hi Hagar,
thanks for your reply!
Opening docx files appears to be more successful than doc files (only formatting changes and annoying bulletting changes need fixing).
What are some simple ways to convert the files from doc to docx without being able to open them with Open Office to do so? Should I try to open them with a different program and re-save them as docx files? Or perhaps there is a less labour-intensive way to go about it?

[RoryOF]

It should normally be sufficient to save an email file to your hard disk before attempting to open it with OpenOffice. Make sure it is saved with correct extension.

[Hagar Delest]

AOO cannot do that automatically. The files have been sent with the wrong extension, it's the sender that should correct this.

Please add [Solved] at the beginning of the title in your first post (top of the topic) with the edit button if your issue has been fixed.

[mr.markus]

What do you mean by the "correct" extension? Is docx a correct extension and doc an incorrect extension?
How do I "make sure it's saved with correct extension"?
Should AOO be able to open a file with just doc extension or is that not possible?

[RoryOF]

Sometimes files are used without extensions; this may be OK on their computer of origin, but can cause problems on remote computers. So the files should be saved with an extension, which can be .doc for Word files (more recently probably .docx). OpenOffice should open a .doc file better than a .docx file (better filters).

If OpenOffice is not opening these files correctly, try using AbiWord. If neither openOffice or AbiWord is opening them reliably, please up;load a sample file to the Forum (Upload tab below the Submit button on Post A Reply and Full editor screens).

[Bill]

What do you mean by the "correct" extension? Is docx a correct extension and doc an incorrect extension?

Docx is a correct extension for a docx file. It's an incorrect extension for a doc file. Doc is a correct extension for a doc file and an incorrect extension for a docx file.

How do I "make sure it's saved with correct extension"?

OpenOffice saves with the correct extension if the "Automatic file name extension" option is enabled. If the option is disabled, then the user has to manually add the file name extension and can add the wrong extension. That's a user problem, not an OpenOffice problem.

Should AOO be able to open a file with just doc extension or is that not possible?

If the file with the doc extension is really a doc file, then AOO should open it. If the file with the doc extension isn't really a doc file, then the user will have to tell AOO the real file type before AOO can open it.

[mr.markus]

thanks for the help!

i don't know what "solved" is. is it the green check mark?