Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Please help!

I try to open this document, but get "Read-Error. Format error discovered in the file in sub-document content.xml at 2,3228 (row,col)."
I'm not tech-savvy in the least and find previous posts about how to fix this problem terribly confusing (though I've tried to follow to step as best as I can... to no avail).
If anyone can recover this file, many many thanks in advance!!

Please try the attached file.

I'd suggest that you consider installing the Timestamped backup extension so you can keep multiple backups of you documents against the possibility of a similar incident happening..

robleyd wrote:Please try the attached file.

I'd suggest that you consider installing the Timestamped backup extension so you can keep multiple backups of you documents against the possibility of a similar incident happening..

Greatly appreciated!! Your quick help has saved me days of work. Thank you, thank you. And absolutely taking your recommendation in order to prevent this *diverted* disaster from happening again.

All the best

robleyd wrote:Please try the attached file.

I'd suggest that you consider installing the Timestamped backup extension so you can keep multiple backups of you documents against the possibility of a similar incident happening..

I'm having a similar problem and am hoping I won't have to create the document all over again since it won't open now. I see where you indicate an attached file but I don't see one anywhere in the post.

The attached file - the repaired version of Chels' file - was removed at Chels' request.

[Tutorial] Format error discovered in sub-document gives instructions on how to repair a file with this error; if you are not confident of your ability to carry out the procedure, post your file here and someone will have a look at it.

[Forum] How to attach a document here Note maximum file size is 128K. If your file is larger, use a file sharing site such as Mediafire and post the link here.

Hello to everyone. This is my first post, sorry if I am OT.
I have a similar problem described in the initial message. I cannot open a .odt file and the message is "Format error discovered in the file in sub-document content.xml at 2,69554(row,col)"
The file is attached.
Can anyone help me?
I saw the tutorial but I am not able to follow it.
Thanks a lot

Attached is the repaired file. Please check that content and formatting are as you require.

The file is perfect. You were able to recover not only the text but also the format, thanks a lot!
Very quick and efficient.

Now that I have dowloaded it could you please take it out?

Just for the record, as some day someone may start to investigate the cause of the error.

The error was the usual multiple comment error near start of the file. I also note that it originated on OO on a Mac - my memory (not checked) is that there are a disproportionate number of Macs producing such errors. No trace of it having been Saved in MS Word format, but Comments had been added by others, whether using OO or MS Word I cannot say.

This is a bug in AOO, but not in LO, when track changes is ON and a user deletes two comments each of which is attached to a range of characters.

See Issue 128356 - Track Changes and Annotations on text range can cause corruption. Applies to 4.x (all versions?)

HI, i am having the same issue with a file that had previously worked fine. I attempted to follow the guide but am afraid it is a bit above my level. Would you be able to perform the repair on my file as it appears you have some others?

Thank you in advance

Can you upload your file? See How to attach a document for details regarding attaching a document.

An uploaded document, or a pointer to a URL of that document on a file sharing service, would allow us assess and fix the error, if that is possible.

Same problem! This is an .odt file that has gone back and forth with a colleague who uses the dreaded MS Word. I saved it after making my own revisions, sent the file to him, and now neither of us can open it. I'm getting this error:

"Format error discovered in the file in sub-document content.xml at 2,3167(row,col)."

I'm too much of a newbie to fix it using any of the guides I see out there, so if anyone has any way to help, I'll be very grateful.

Can you attach the document here? See my posts above for a link on how to attach documents.

Here's a link to the document. Thank you!

Check the attached document - there are 17 pages in it.

Edit: Attachment removed

robleyd for the win! Thanks so much. [deleting links now]

garfield123 wrote:This is an .odt file that has gone back and forth with a colleague who uses the dreaded MS Word. I saved it after making my own revisions, sent the file to him, and now neither of us can open it.

We now believe this is a bug in AOO but not in LO. It can always be made to happen by deleting two (or more?) comments each attached to a range of text though other things may also cause it. It probably is nothing to do with Word. See Issue 128356 - Track Changes and Annotations on text range can cause corruption. Applies to 4.x (all versions?)

Hi, Good day!
I need your help regarding the recovery of my file. I encountered the same error in this thread.
However, my file cannot be attached because it is larger than 128kb. How can I possibly attach it? Please, Thank you.

Upload your file to a file sharing service and post the link here. Please ensure that we don't need to log in to the service you choose.

Pasted above is the link, please.
Thank you so much..

I hope these links above will direct you to my corrupted file. Thank you!

I have managed to recover some/ all of your data and sent the repaired file to you via the email you used to register here.

NOTE: the email is not public - only as a moderator I have access.

If the file is acceptable you may wish to edit your posts above and remove the links to the file.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for resolving this concern. I can now open my file.

I seem to have bumped up against this error once again. Can someone out there try to repair a broken .odt file for me?

Please post the file here or make it available in some other way such as a cloud drive. To post a file here, click Post Reply and look for the Upload Attachment tab just below the box where you type a response.

Here it is. Gratitude in advance for your help.

Please avoid comments (annotations) that are assigned to a range of text. Assign annotations to positions.

Edit: File deleted at user request

garfield123 wrote:Here it is. Gratitude in advance for your help.

Try this one.

There is a bug in AOO which will corrupt the file if you delete two comments attached to a range of text.

As you and your collaborator use Record Changes and Comments I strongly recommend you swap to LibreOffice where the bug seems to have been fixed.

Edit: File deleted at user request