On Jan 18, 2010, at 06:19 , Bob Barrie wrote: > TO whom it may concern: It was my understanding that Open Office was a sort > of stand in to Windows Word, in that I would be able to utilize Open Office > spreadsheets similar to Excel and, in fact prior Excel files would be > somewhat the same format that Open Office uses. Open Office spreadsheets > would be interchangeable with Excel documents. Also Word and Open Office > documents would also be interchangeable. > > I have spent a good amount of time trying to find out how this system works, > and I have yet to even seen a document or spreadsheet or any other > indications that Open Office is essentially totally compatible with Windows > Word & Excel. I thought I would be able to get right down and create my own > spreadsheet or letter or other document. Instead what I have seen so far is > nothing but text explaining various projects that users are engaged in. Are > there two different Open Office Programs or am I missing something. > > All I want is to be able to write letters and documents and use spreadsheets > that are similar to and are the same as my Excel files. > > Please explain
Robert, it's not entirely clear from your email that you have actually downloaded the program. It sounds almost as if you have been led away into the realms of release notes, hints and tips and so on. Surf to http://openoffice.org and click on the link that says 'I want to download OpenOffice.org'. This should offer you the appropriate software for the operating system that you are using when you surf there - I'm assuming from various hints that you are using some variety of Windows. When you've downloaded the file, double-click on it, and Open Office will be installed on your computer. Then you can test it. You can click on Calc and open a blank spreadsheet and do whatever you want, you can choose Writer and open a normal word-type document and so on. Or you can open one of these and choose File/Open and find a spreadsheet or Word document you created with Microsoft Office, and open that. There may be some slight differences, for example if you have used a MS Office font that isn't included in Open Office, you might see a close approximation from the Open Office fonts, but the basic rule is that if it will open in MS Office it will open in Open Office. When you've tested things, if you have any further questions, come back and ask them, and we'll try and help. It could be useful for you to tell us what operating system you are using. Best regards James --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: users-unsubscr...@openoffice.org For additional commands, e-mail: users-h...@openoffice.org
