Opening an ODT File

The ODT file type is primarily associated with Writer.

ODTFile Extension ODT
File extension: ODT
File type:  document

What is an ODT file?

ODT files mostly belong to Writer by Apache. An ODT file is a document saved in OpenDocument Format. It contains text, vector graphics, and layout information saved in XML files and compressed into a single ZIP archive with ODT filename extension. Embedded raster images and other objects are saved alongside the XML documents in the same ODT file. The Writer applications in OpenOffice and LibreOffice are the primary programs for authoring and editing an ODT document. Another type of ODT file stores an object used by MindFormer 3D virtual reality modeling software. ODT is also the filename extension of the dialog data file in Origin data graphing software.

How do you open ODT files?

You need a suitable software like Writer to open an ODT file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your ODT file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a ODT file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online ODT File Viewer

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How to convert an ODT file to PDF, HTML, DOCX, JPG, ...

You can convert ODT files using our online ODT file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):
  1. To do this, click the button "Choose your .odt file to view" on this page.
  2. Your ODT file will then be displayed in the browser.
  3. Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
  4. Select the office format (e.g. PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, ODF, HTML, JPG, ...) you want.
  5. Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert ODT files:

  1. Writer by Apache
    See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. ODT files are often referred to as Writer page layouts because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
  2. MindRender (3D virtual object) by Themekit Systems
    MindRender is a virtual reality modeling and exploration software. It uses an ODT file to store a virtual world object such as a body of water. This file format is classified as 3D Image.
  3. Word (document) by Microsoft
    Word is the most popular word processor for desktop environments. It can save or read a document in ODT format. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: OASIS Detailed File Format Information, OpenOffice.org 2.0 Office Suite New Features
  4. Writer (document) by The Document Foundation
    Writer is a word processor bundled with LibreOffice productivity software suite. It saves a text document in an ODT file. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: OASIS Detailed File Format Information, OpenOffice.org 2.0 Office Suite New Features
  5. Writer (document template) by The Document Foundation
    Writer is a word processing program compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS. It saves a text document template in an ODT file. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: OASIS Detailed File Format Information, OpenOffice.org 2.0 Office Suite New Features

ODT file extension format:

If you know the file format, you can also find out how to open or edit the file. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Below you will find our evaluation of the ODT files:

The ODT extension is very commonly used. This ODT file itself is among the most popular common file types and predominantly uses a uniform format. The file formats most commonly found in ODT files are:

The remaining 10% of all ODT files are files with no common format. Tagged as resume, draft, accetta, sample, brief or docx. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your ODT file!

Technical Data for ODT File Extension


The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.74\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.95\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.104\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.100\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.79\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.125\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 2.0\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 1.9.118\program\soffice.exe -o %1

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sun\StarOffice 8\program\soffice.exe -o

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 2.1\program\soffice.exe -o

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OpenOffice.org 2.2\program\swriter.exe -o

ProgramID: GoogleToolbar.odt.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MOZILL~1\firefox.exe -GoogleToolbar .odt

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sun\StarOffice 8\program\swriter.exe -o

ProgramID: TMV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SoftMaker Viewer\TMViewer.exe /Shell

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BrOffice.org 2.3\program\swriter.exe -o

ProgramID: ooostub.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sun\OpenOffice.org Installer 1.0\ooostub.exe -o

ProgramID: Word.OpenDocumentText.12
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE /n

ProgramID: GoogleToolbar.odt.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Mozilla Firefox 3.5 Beta 4\firefox.exe -GoogleToolbar .odt

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\openoffice aechivos\OpenOffice.org 3\program\swriter.exe -o

ProgramID: odtfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows NT\Accessories\WORDPAD.EXE

ProgramID: opendocument.WriterDocument.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sun\StarSuite 9\program\swriter.exe -o


an odt document is a special file format by Apache and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with ODT files

  • Associate the ODT file extension with the correct application.
  • Update your software that should actually open documents. Because only the current version supports the latest ODT file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Apache manufacturer website after an available Writer update.
  • To make sure that your ODT file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
  • Click here to open your .ODT file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.
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