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Question

Open office

Aug 11, 2017 6:29AM PDT

Hi Everyone, I have been using openoffice text and spreadsheets for several years, using the drop down to save as word/excel with no problems. Suddenly now when I try to open the saved document I am being told that I need to trial then buy the microsoft office package!!! This rather defeats the object? I would appreciate any help to find a way to get this option back. Incidentally I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Open Office but get the same result. I believe the problem lies with microsoft?

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Answer
Re: openoffice
Aug 11, 2017 6:45AM PDT

To start with, most people who used to use Open Office have switched to its successor, LibreOffice. Didn't you?

Then, how to you 'try to open' such a saved document? Via File>Open in Writer and Calc, or by doubleclicking in Windows Explorer? If the last, check the file association for .doc(x) and .xls(x) extensions/filetypes. How to do that depends a little bit on what version of Windows you use (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10), so I can't give precise instructions here how to check it and how change it back to Writer and Calc.

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Answer
As noted.
Aug 11, 2017 11:49AM PDT

Time to move to LibreOffice. But on Windows, after some updates the File Associations are reset back to Microsoft Office and this can really push an everyday user skills around.

I'd try the easy step of installing LibreOffice before checking file associations.