How to open an ODS file
ODS is a spreadsheet in the OpenDocument format — the one used by LibreOffice Calc and OpenOffice. On a computer that only has Excel such a file does not always open cleanly, and installing an office suite for a single table is a lot of effort.
Free for personal use. The file is not uploaded to a server — parsing happens in the browser. Windows version — 3.5 MB, no installation: details. Organizations: license.
What can open it
| Tool | Worth knowing |
|---|---|
| LibreOffice, OpenOffice | the native format, but you have to install the program |
| Excel 2010 and newer | opens it, but complex workbooks lose some formatting |
| Google Sheets | the file has to be uploaded to the cloud |
| The browser | drag the file into the app window — sheets, dates and numbers are visible at once, and then you get filters and export to Excel |
What happens to your data
In ODS a cell has a displayed text and a real value. The app takes the value: a number stays a number, a date stays a date, and they reach Excel the same way. The million empty rows that ODS sometimes "pads" a sheet with up to its edge are discarded.
Getting an .xlsx
Open the file and choose Export → Excel (.xlsx). The details are in ODS to Excel or CSV.
FAQ
Can I edit an ODS and save it back?
Yes, the file is saved as ODS. Your data stays; the formatting of the original file does not.
Is the file uploaded to a server?
No, parsing happens in the browser.
Free for personal use. Your file is not uploaded to a server. Windows version — 3.5 MB, no installation: details. Organizations: license.