What is ODS File?
An ODS file is a spreadsheet created with OpenOffice Calc, a free spreadsheet program. It stores data in cells arranged as a table of columns and rows, as well as formulas, which define how the data in those cells should be calculated. ODS files are similar to other spreadsheet formats, such as Microsoft Excel’s XLSX and Apple Numbers’ NMBER file.
How to Open ODS Files?
ODS files can be opened with OpenOffice Calc, the free spreadsheet program included with the OpenOffice suite, as well as Apache OpenOffice, the free community-developed successor to OpenOffice. Microsoft Excel can also open ODS files, though some features and formatting may not be preserved. Apple Numbers can open ODS files, but only on macOS versions of the software starting with Numbers 5.
In addition to the programs mentioned above, many web browsers can open ODS files in the browser window, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. If a web browser can’t open the file, you can use a file converter like Zamzar or FileZigZag to convert the ODS file to another spreadsheet format, such as XLSX, which is more widely supported.
You can also use a free online spreadsheet program like Google Sheets or Zoho Sheet to open ODS files in the browser window. These programs don’t require installation and provide the same basic features as desktop spreadsheet programs. They can also be used to save the file in another format, such as XLSX, if desired.