Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Hi all,

I have a big problem. All my ODS spreadsheet files created in calc are now opening in writer.
When I double click on the file, it open a ASCII filter window, and then, when I click OK, it opens it in Writer. The page shows ##### symbols on all the pages.
These are important files. If someone could help I would be so thankfull.

Here's one of the files that I'm trying to open.
Unfortunatly from what I read, ### are not good news. How could this happen to all my files?!

Cheers,
Marc

Hi and welcome to the forum!

See: [Tutorial] The Dreaded Pound Signs: file reduced to ####. Good luck. I hope you had backups.
If all your files are impacted, there is a major issue somewhere, maybe with your machine. Were they open at the same time? Is it for absolutely all your files?

Edit: Seeing RoryOF's mail below, I also tested and no problem at all with LO 24.8 on Windows 10.

It opened immediately for me, using OpenOffice 4.1.15 on xubuntu 22.04.6

It opened in Calc, a list of Travaux peinture

Try renaming your OpenOffice User Profile.

Marcdlg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 5:40 pm Here's one of the files that I'm trying to open.

I had no difficulty opening it. Here's a picture of the upper left corner to show that it opens for me.

Marcdlg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 5:40 pm When I double click on the file …

Can you open the file if you launch OpenOffice, then use File → Open? If so the problem is with Finder or other MacOS configuration, not with your file.
Mac FAQ Q33/A33: How do I get my documents to open with OpenOffice when I use Finder?

If you continue to have trouble, try rebooting your Mac. If you still have trouble, can you reproduce the problem with the Guest User account? If not, you may be able to solve the problem with a new user profile. The Guest User account is an important diagnostic tool on your Mac.
Mac FAQ Q28/A28: How do I use the Guest User account to run a test?
Mac FAQ Q02/A02: How do I create a new profile on a Mac?

Marcdlg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 5:40 pm How could this happen to all my files?!

The usual suspect when many files are mysteriously damaged would be Ransomware, though I don't think that's the case here, since others can open the file. It's very important to ensure you have backups of all important documents stored offline where criminals can't destroy them. The OpenOffice forum is not a good place to learn about backup procedures for your Mac. Instead, read Apple's information about Time Machine.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ✏️ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

Hi all,

First of all, Thanks a lot for the reply, I really mean it
I'm really glad my files weren't corrupted like I could see on other posts regarding the #####.
I installed Excel on my computer to try to open it and it worked. Somehow, I could since then open it again on OpenOffice Calc.
Thus I really don't know what happed with my files or the software in the first place.

Anyway, I'm glad it could get solved.

Thanks again all!

Cheers,

Marc