OpenOffice

[Kurly]

Do any of you use OpenOffice, which is a subsitute for MS Word, Excell, Etc?. If so how do you like it. I purchased a new computer and am thinking of installing it instead of MS Office.

Thanks

Kurly

[taxdude71]

Works decent, but there have been a few issues with it. The big problem is from clients that send me spreadsheets in excel that for one reason or another openoffice refuses to open.

[erchess]

I do like Open Office

but there's no question that its spreadsheet is the weakest part of the suite. The spreadsheet doesn't have all the features of Excel nor does it always flawlessly accept a file created in Excel. You still might be a very happy camper getting Open Office and a standalone version of Excel if that is still sold and is cheaper than the Suite. If that isn't possible then assuming you make much use of spreadsheet I think my advice would be to bite the bullet and buy MS Office.

[taxea]

Works fine for me.

If Excel doesn't open it is because the client has chosen an option that doesn't allow it to open. I have never had a problem with it not opening unless the Excel version or if the file extension has an x at the end it is not compatible with Open Office version.

I don't use MS office products and don't make changes to client spreadsheets so Open Office is perfect for me.

If I can't get a file open I ask the client to convert it to pdf and resend it.

[BOB W]

They (sure do) ask a lot of questions...??

[David1980]

I've had some problems with "export to excel" functionality in programs not working with openoffice. Whatever those programs are hooking into isn't supported in openoffice obviously. Works great if you just want to make your own spreadsheets to do simple calcs or write letters or whatever.

[LCP]

Just got a netbook and have the same issue.... either figure out how to install Office without a cd drive or use Open Office.

One add'l factor is that the version of Outlook Express that came with it only has a French dictionary for spell check!! I understand that is a common problem and I also understand that an English dictionary would kick in if I installed Office. Anybody know on that?

[taxcraft]

Compatability

Whenever you have a computer problem it is often solved quickly by assuming it is a compatability problem....ie, you are faced with a wrong model or version, etc. This may not always lead to the answer but it is the way to bet. I almost never have to take my computers to a shop for repair.
Also, I don't save anything valuable (irreplacable) on my hard drive and won't hesitate to reinstall an operating system if necessary.
Anti virus software often misses the latest virus....so why pay for it....I use the free Microsoft Essentials.
I use Microsoft Windows mainly because of my tax software but for going on the internet I always use a usually virus free Linux operating system.

[taxea]

Works decent, but there have been a few issues with it. The big problem is from clients that send me spreadsheets in excel that for one reason or another openoffice refuses to open.

if it won't open a spreadsheet it is because the client used an option in excel that locks the file.