Apache OpenOffice

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Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office suite from the Apache Software Foundation. It helps you create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, databases, and formulas.

What it includes
- Writer (word processor)
- Calc (spreadsheets)
- Impress (presentations)
- Draw (graphics)
- Base (database)
- Math (formula editor)

File formats and compatibility
- Uses the OpenDocument format (ODF)
- Can read many Microsoft Office formats
- OpenOffice Basic lets you create macro scripts (VBA-like support)

Platforms and license
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows (IA-32 and x86-64)
- No Java is bundled; Java is only needed for some features
- Licensed under the Apache-2.0 license

A quick history
- Originated from StarOffice and OpenOffice.org
- IBM contributed Symphony code; Sun Microsystems created the original OpenOffice.org
- Oracle acquired Sun, then stopped active development
- The Document Foundation forked LibreOffice in 2011
- IBM’s Lotus Symphony code was contributed to Apache OpenOffice in 2011
- Apache accepted the project and released Apache OpenOffice 3.4 in 2012
- Major updates followed with 4.0 and 4.1 series; the latest maintenance release is 4.1.16 (Nov 2025)

Current status
- Development has been slower with fewer active contributors over the years
- Security fixes have sometimes lagged, leading to ongoing concerns
- By 2025, Apache classified some security issues as high risk
- LibreOffice has remained more actively developed, while Apache OpenOffice continues as a free alternative

Other notes
- Includes fonts like Arimo, Tinos, and Cousine
- Availability of ports and derivatives exists (e.g., Android and other community projects), but these are not as widely used as LibreOffice

Bottom line
Apache OpenOffice offers a solid, free office suite with essential tools and good cross-platform support, but it has faced development slowdowns and security concerns. If you want the most active community and newest fixes, LibreOffice is often the more current choice.