Microsoft 365 is updating their OpenDocument format support to v1.4 which will improve compatibility with other software like LibreOffice.
OpenDocument Format (ODF) is the International Standard for saving documents (ISO 26300 if you’re keeping score). It’s similar to the Microsoft Office formats in their basics of being XML based with ZIP compression. After initially joining the development of OpenDocuments Microsoft, unsurprisingly, went off to make their own proprietary formats (.docs, xlsx, pptx etc).
Microsoft Office has always supported ODF files both to open and save to. The 2024 changes brings Office up-to-date with the v1.4 of the standard.
ODF documents most commonly appear as:
OpenDocument Text *.odt – Word
OpenDocument Spreadsheet *.ods – Excel
OpenDocument Presentation *.odp – PowerPoint
According to Microsoft, the upgraded formats include these changes in Microsoft 365 for Windows and Mac.
Word
- Tables in shapes: Tables are now allowed within shapes. Previously, only textboxes allowed tables.
- Lists from zero: Lists that start at 0 are now supported.
- Non-overlapping images and shapes: ODT files now support the option to prevent images and shapes from overlapping with other images and shapes.
- Number list formats: Previously, ODT files supported only a subset of the number list formats available in Word. Now, all formats are supported.
- Odd and even page breaks: If you add a section break and specify an even or odd page, that will now be saved to the ODT file.
- Additional writing modes: New writing modes have been added to the ODT specification. If you have certain languages enabled, you’ll be able to use them in tables and paragraphs where supported for .docx files.
- Decorative objects: A new accessibility attribute to specify that an object is purely decorative and may be ignored by assistive technologies.
Excel
- Error values: Minor adjustments were made for persisting error values to an ODS file.
- Filter by color: Added support to save color filter settings to an ODS file (with certain restrictions).
- Text direction: Minor improvements to load text rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise.
- Decorative objects: A new accessibility attribute to specify that an object is purely decorative and may be ignored by assistive technologies.
PowerPoint
- Page numbers: ODP files now support slide numbering starting from 0. Previously, support was only for values starting from 1.
- Table cell text direction: ODP files now support 90° and 270° rotated text direction within table cells.
- Decorative objects: A new accessibility attribute to specify that an object is purely decorative and may be ignored by assistive technologies.
Who gets it?
ODF v1.4 support is first rolling out to Microsoft 365 Insiders:
- Windows: v2404 build 17531.20078 and later
- Mac: v16.84 (build 24041420 and later
