Apache OpenOffice for MAC

Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office suite with six programs in one download. Writer is a word processor for anything from a quick letter to an entire book, Calc is a spreadsheet for calculating and presenting data, and Impress creates multimedia presentations. Draw handles everything from simple diagrams to 3D illustrations, Base creates and changes database tables, forms, queries and reports, and Math is an equation editor. The suite is compatible with other major office suites and reads most of their file types, so moving to it is straightforward. It is available in 41 languages.

Apache OpenOffice is a project of the Apache Software Foundation, released under the Apache License 2.0, and the project says its roots go back twenty years. Version 4.1.17 is a security and bugfix release, and the project advises all users of 4.1.16 or earlier to upgrade. The Mac version is an Intel build: on Apple Silicon Macs it runs through Rosetta 2 emulation rather than natively. It needs macOS 10.7 Lion or later, 512 MB of free memory and 400 MB of disk space. Some functions need Java, and the release notes list a known macOS issue: without the legacy Apple Java 6 installed, OpenOffice may not recognize Oracle Java 7, 8 and possibly 9. The project says to download it only from its own website, openoffice.org.

Key Features

Apache OpenOffice covers everyday office work in one free package.

• Writer: a word processor for letters, reports and whole books.
• Calc: a spreadsheet for calculating, analyzing and presenting data.
• Impress: multimedia presentations.
• Draw: diagrams and 3D illustrations.
• Base: create and change database tables, forms, queries and reports.
• Math: write equations through a graphical interface or by typing formulas.
• File compatibility: reads most file types of competing office suites.
• Many languages: available in 41 languages, with language packs and updated dictionaries.

Apache OpenOffice 4.1.17 is a security and bugfix release.

• Safer document saving: files are written and replaced atomically, which reduces the risk of corruption during an interrupted save.
• Python scripts can now be created, edited, run and embedded directly within documents.
• Better import of many drawing primitives from DXF CAD files.
• Better Microsoft Excel XML compatibility, including SpreadsheetML formula conversion.
• Better macOS runtime stability and fixes for the update check.
• Updated dictionaries and German translation updates.