What is a .ods file?
OpenDocument Spreadsheet · Document · OASIS · 2005
ODS is the OpenDocument spreadsheet format, the open, ISO-standardised counterpart to XLSX and LibreOffice Calc's default. It stores cells, formulas, charts and multiple sheets the same way XLSX does, just packaged to an open standard instead of a vendor-specific one.
What is a .ods file used for?
ODS is the OpenDocument spreadsheet format, LibreOffice Calc's default and the open, vendor-neutral counterpart to XLSX. Like XLSX it stores cells, formulas, charts and multiple sheets zipped up as XML.
It exists for the same reason ODT does: an ISO-standardised (ISO/IEC 26300), non-proprietary format that any office suite can implement without depending on a single vendor's specification.
Excel opens and saves ODS, and formulas generally translate correctly between the two, though some newer or program-specific functions may not survive the round trip.
For plain data with no formulas or formatting, exporting to CSV instead is still simpler and more universally compatible than either spreadsheet format.
How to open a .ods file
The .ods format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list.
Windows
- LibreOffice Calc
- Excel
- Google Sheets
macOS
- LibreOffice Calc
- Numbers (import)
- Excel
Linux
- LibreOffice Calc
- OnlyOffice
Web
- Google Sheets (import)
- Office on the web
How to convert a .ods file
You can convert a .ods file to XLSX, CSV, PDF using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.ods file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .ods file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for ODS. For a full breakdown, see the ODS file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 50 4B 03 04 | 0 | ZIP/OPC package; a 'mimetype' entry identifies it as OpenDocument Spreadsheet |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .ods file?
ODS is the OpenDocument spreadsheet format, the open, ISO-standardised counterpart to XLSX and LibreOffice Calc's default. It stores cells, formulas, charts and multiple sheets the same way XLSX does, just packaged to an open standard instead of a vendor-specific one.
Can Excel open an ODS file?
Yes, Excel opens and saves ODS directly. Formulas usually translate correctly; a few advanced or Excel-specific functions can behave differently after conversion, so it is worth checking complex sheets.
Should I use ODS or XLSX?
Use ODS if you work mainly in LibreOffice or need an open, ISO-standardised format. Use XLSX if you or your collaborators work mainly in Excel, since it is that program's native format.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: