Sharing Files Between Calc and Excel

The main compatibility problems between Calc and Excel spreadsheets are functions. Basic functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and MAX generally cause no problems. However, check the OOo online help before using the more-advanced functions. Although Calc is designed to be highly compatible with Excel, each spreadsheet program has functions that the other lacks. In a few cases, Calc may have arguments that Excel lacks. In other cases, Calc may have two similar functions: one for general use, and a second for Excel compatibility. For example, WEEKNUM calculates the week number of a given datum based on the ISO 6801 standard, while WEEKNUM_ADD does the same calculation in an Excel-compatible format.

Objects in Calc have the same mixed record as in Writer. Page and cell styles usually don't survive the transition, but cell formats that use styles generally translate well.