File extension ODS
| File type | OpenDocument Spreadsheet Format |
| Developer | Oracle |
| Ads |
What is a ODS file?
The .ODS file extension refers to the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format used to store data in Excel like Tabular format. The Opendocument office suites allow to store data in popular format with the benefit of open source licensing.
Thus Ods file format is currently the most popular open source rival of Microsoft’s Excel file format. The file structure is based on the Open XML structure and mostly the data is organized into cells with rows and columns of a spreadsheet. There are various open source office suites that support this format.
Program(s) that can open the .ODS file
Mac OS
More information about ODS file
ODS (Open Document Spreadsheet) is a spreadsheet document file format used by various open-source Office software, including OpenOffice and StarOffice. ODS file stores data in cells organized into rows and columns. ODS files can contain text, tables, graphs, and graphical elements (shapes, cliparts, etc.).
ODS format popularity
ODS spreadsheet is an open standard based on XML format; it was developed by OASIS (Organization for Advancement of Structured Information Standards) in 2005. The goal fo the organization is to create, integrate, and implement universal standards for internet adn e-business services. ODS format is popular among users from around the world due to its open character and wide support.
Problems with opening ODS files in Excel
ODS files can be opened using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and saved in XLS or XLSX file format native to Excel. However, opening ODS files in Excel can cause various issues with formatting. Such problems arise due to formatting differences between these standards. One of the biggest issue is differences in handling images by ODS and Excel.
How to open ODS files
If you cannot open the ODS file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports ODS among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the ODS file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the ODS format files
The inability to open and operate the ODS file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the OpenDocument Spreadsheet Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a ODS file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the ODS file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the ODS from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the ODS format
- The ODS file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the ODS file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a ODS file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the ODS file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the ODS file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the ODS file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .aws | Ability Spreadsheet Spredsheet Format |
| .dfg | Data Flask Grid Format |
| .dis | Oracle Discoverer Workbook Format |
| .edx | EDraw Max Drawing Format |
| .edxz | Edraw Compressed XML FIle |
| .fcs | First Choice Spreadsheet |
| .fods | OpenDocument Flat XML Spreadsheet Format |
| .gsheet | Link To Google Sheets Web Application Spreadsheet Document |
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.ODS) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected ODS file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the ODS file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. ODS) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.