Preparing to Share Files Between Writer and Word

Before sharing text documents, open a blank Writer document and check the options available in OpenOffice.org at Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org Writer > Compatibility. Some of the options in this window are for compatibility with older versions of StarOffice, the proprietary version of OpenOffice.org, but about half are for Microsoft Word compatibility. Several set OpenOffice.org to add spacing between lines and around objects as Microsoft Word does:

• "Add spacing between paragraphs and tables (in current document)"

• "Do not add leading (extra space) between lines of text"

• "Add paragraph and table spacing at bottom of table cells"

• "Consider wrapping style when positioning objects"

Compatibility options.

If you are importing Microsoft Word files, select "Add paragraph and table spacing at tops of pages (in current document)" as well. Whether importing or exporting, you should also select "Use printer metrics for document formatting" if both the OOo and Word-using machines have access to the same model of printer (or to any PostScript printer). This option provides a common standard independent of the software.

When you have set the options, click the Use as Default button to save your choices as the default settings. Some of these settings are only for the current document, so save the current document by selecting File > Template > Save so that you don't have to adjust the settings each time you start a document that will be opened in Microsoft Office.