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Microsoft Makes Further Moves to Ease Conversion of Office Binary Formats

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Two weeks back we made a commitment to open the binary formats and place them under our Open Specification Promise.  This means that independent software companies can now perform a one-way translation of the Office binary file formats, (.doc, .xls, .ppt), to Open XML.  This effort was initiated during work with European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards process for Open XML.  An expected outcome is to allow for easier access to the binary formats within ECMA TC45 and was published back in January 2008.

Previously a contractual commitment with Microsoft was necessary to obtain the documentation on how to perform translations to/from the Office Binary formats.  In response to opening up the process Jean Paoli comments:

“Hundreds of companies (including IBM and Sun) have already requested and received the binary file format documentation on a royalty-free basis. National Bodies have asked that we make it even easier to obtain this information which we will do by providing it for download on the web. In addition we will launch an open source project to facilitate the translation of binary documents to DIS 29500 (ECMA 376 – Office Open XML). These steps will further promote interoperability between the binaries and Open XML.”

Brian Jones announced this news and explains the actual process to perform the mapping from the Office binary formats to Open XML.

In regards to Open Document Format (ODF) compatibility, there are several converters publicly available at present.  An example from a partner ISV would be Sun's ODF Plug-inwhich currently provides conversion to/from ODF and the Office Binary format.

By placing the Translator project and the binary formats under the Open Specification Promise Microsoft is easing the process for partners to include Open XML in their respective solutions.  Partners should download the binary formats and related documentation via the Microsoft support site.

James Vastbinder

Sr. Technical Evangelist

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