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.ods

OpenDocument Spreadsheet

Spreadsheets

ODS is OpenDocument’s spreadsheet format. Unlike CSV, it can retain sheets, formulas and formatting. Check calculations as well as appearance when exchanging with Excel.

What it is used for
Editable spreadsheets with formulas and sheets
What the file contains
Binary data
All sections, questions and sources

Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai

First: choose for your purpose

ODS is an OpenDocument spreadsheet workbook with sheets/formulas, distinct from CSV. Create an XLSX delivery copy for Excel and verify functions, dates, charts and macros.

Opening steps

Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.

Windows: open in Calc

Inspect the master in an ODF-capable app.

  1. Select an ODS copy via LibreOffice Calc File → Open.
  2. Inspect sheets, formulas, totals, dates and charts and identify external references.
  3. Save edited ODS separately and create an XLSX delivery copy if needed.
macOS / Linux: check Calc calculation

Verify recalculation even when appearance matches.

  1. Open a copy in Calc and review import/font notices.
  2. Inspect the formula bar/totals and check IDs for numeric/date conversion.
  3. Compare charts/print ranges with a PDF reference and discuss unsupported functions.
Excel / mobile: check feature differences

Direct opening does not guarantee full fidelity.

  1. Open a copy in an ODS-capable app and read compatibility warnings.
  2. Compare totals, charts, validation and notes with the source environment.
  3. Request PDF for reading or XLSX for editing when support is unavailable.

Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.

Troubleshooting by symptom

  • Different totals/dates require checks of function support, date interpretation and calculation settings.
  • Some chart/formatting features differ between ODS and XLSX; compare a reference PDF/image.
  • CSV does not preserve the workbook. Export required sheets separately from the original ODS.
  • Formulas shown as text: inspect formula-display mode/cell type before assuming formulas were lost.
  • Validation/conditional formatting changed: check round-trip compatibility and document essential constraints.
  • External update fails: verify reference paths, permission and whether current values are needed.

ODS → XLSX / CSV

  1. Save a copy in Excel format and verify important formulas/charts in Excel.
  2. For data exchange, export the chosen sheet as CSV; inspect separators, encoding, dates and leading zeros.
  3. Compare sheet count, formulas, totals, identifiers and print ranges with the master.

CSV loses formatting and multiple sheets. Confirm macro compatibility separately.

Compare formulas and displayed values

Function/calculation support differs; compare totals, date calculations and rounding before/after conversion.

Cached values alone may match. Check recalculated results and ranges without overwriting the master.

XLSX, CSV and PDF delivery

XLSX can carry multiple sheets but requires ODF-feature checks; Office/LibreOffice macros are not generally interchangeable.

CSV delivers table text; PDF delivers print appearance. Specify sheets/tables and check records/ranges.

Source for these steps：The Document Foundation · Using Microsoft Office and LibreOffice / The Document Foundation · Export as PDF

Related-format differences

Related-format differences
Format / choicePurpose and preserved information
ODSODF master with formulas, styles and multiple sheets.
XLSXExcel workbook requiring function/settings checks.
CSV / PDFCSV exchanges values; PDF is for viewing/printing.

Handling and security

Review macros, external links and data connections before enabling them. Inspect hidden sheets/comments before publishing.

Questions and answers

Is ODS the same as CSV?

No; ODS supports workbook features, while CSV is a plain-text table.

Will Excel macros work unchanged?

Macro environments differ; compatibility checks or code changes may be required.

Is matching appearance enough?

Also verify formulas, value types, charts and print ranges.

Does Excel preserve every validation rule?

Feature differences exist; verify essential rules after conversion.

Can one CSV preserve all ODS sheets?

No multi-sheet structure; export required tables individually.

Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
Formal name
OpenDocument Spreadsheet
Steward / specification
OASIS OpenDocument TC
MIME type
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet

Primary and official sources

  • StandardOpenDocument Version 1.3

    Published specification underlying ODT, ODS and ODP.

    OASIS · Link checked：
  • Software documentationUsing Microsoft Office and LibreOffice

    Documents Office-format saving and limitations of macro interoperability.

    The Document Foundation · Link checked：
  • Software documentationExport as PDF

    Reference for LibreOffice PDF export controls.

    The Document Foundation · Link checked：