All you need to know about ODT files – What is an ODT file?

What is ODT? How to use ODT files? Here’s what you need to know about ODT files.

ODT file format serves as an alternative to DOC and DOCX, can handle text, objects, images. This format is commonly used with free document editors such as OpenOffice and LibreOffice.

If software that supports ODT is not available, users can easily convert to DOCX for ease of access, as some formatting differences may arise when opening in Microsoft Word. In this article, let’s learn about ODT fileshow to open files, and how to convert ODT to other popular formats.

What is an ODT file?

ODT files are OpenDocument text documents. These files are typically created by the free OpenOffice Writer word processing program.

ODT files are similar to the popular DOCX file format used with Microsoft Word. Both are document file types that can contain content such as text, images, objects, and styles, and are compatible with many programs.

If the file is not a document, it is probably a dialog theme used with Origin data analysis and graphics software. These files are XML formatted and are used to change the way various dialog windows are displayed in the program.

How to open ODT files

ODT files are built with OpenOffice Writer, so the same program is the best way to open this file. However, LibreOffice Writer, AbiSource AbiWord (download Windows version), Doxillion, and some other free document editors can also open ODT files.

Google Docs and Microsoft 365 Online can open ODT files online, and users can also edit them there. ODT Viewer is another free ODT viewer for Windows, but it is only useful for viewing ODT files without being able to edit files with that program.

If you have Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect installed, those are two other ways to use ODT files. MS Word can open and save in ODT format.

Some of the programs just mentioned also work on macOS and Linux, but NeoOffice (for Mac) and Calligra Suite (for Linux) are some of the best alternatives for opening ODT files. Also, remember that Google Docs and Word Online are two online ODT viewers and editors, meaning they work not only on Windows but also on any other operating system that can run a web browser.

To open ODT files on Android devices, people can install the OpenDocument Reader app. iPhone and other iOS users can download and use OOReader or ikuDocs Documents to easily edit documents.

How to convert ODT files

To convert ODT files without one of the ODT editors/viewers mentioned above, the best option is to use Zamzar or FileZigZag. Zamzar can save ODT files as DOC, HTML, PNG, PS, and TXT, while FileZigZag supports some of those formats as well as PDF, RTF, STW, OTT, and others.

However, if MS Word, OpenOffice Writer or any other ODT opener is installed, users can simply open the file there and then choose a different document format when saving. Most of those programs support formats other than those that online ODT converters support, like DOCX.

The same is true for online ODT editors. For example, to convert an ODT file using Google Drive, right-click on it (from the list of files in your account) and select Open with > Google Docs. Then use the menu Google Docs file > Download as to save ODT files as DOCX, RTF, PDF, TXT or EPUB.

If your file won’t open with any specialized program, it’s most likely not actually an ODT file. Some file types have nearly identical file name extensions, causing confusion.

For example, ADT files have extensions that overlap two of the three characters with ODT files, but they cannot be opened with the OpenOffice program. Instead, the ADT is an “ACT! Document Template” file used with Act! software.

Similarly, an ODM file may look related to OpenOffice Writer, but it is actually an OverDrive Media file used in the OverDrive application.

Some OpenDocument formats have similar extensions but cannot be opened with the programs listed on this page. Those formats include ODS, ODP, ODG, and ODF; they are used in turn with OpenOffice’s Calc, Impress, Draw and Math programs. You can download all of these programs through the main OpenOffice suite.