Differences between the OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) format and the Excel (.xlsx) format

When you work with two file formats, like .xlsx and .ods, there might be formatting differences, and not all features will be available. You’ll be able to convert data and content, but the way you work with the content might be different depending on which formats you use.

Switch your default file format

  1. Do the following:
  • In Excel 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button Office button image > Excel Options.
  • In Excel 2010 or Excel 2013, click the File > Options.
  1. Click Save.
  2. Under Save workbooks, in the Save files in this format list, click the file format you want to use by default.

What is supported when I save an Excel worksheet in the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format?

The table below shows which Excel features are fully, partially, or not supported in the OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) format.

  • Supported     Both Excel and the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format support this feature. Content, formatting, and usability won’t be lost.
  • Partially Supported     Both Excel and the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format support this feature, but formatting and usability might be affected. No text or data is lost, but formatting and how you work with text or graphics might be different.
  • Not Supported     The feature in Excel isn’t supported in the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format. If you plan to save your Excel worksheet in the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format, don’t use this feature or you risk losing content, formatting, and usability of that part of your worksheet.

To see information about graphic features, see the Graphic Elements table at the end of this article.

 Note   If you are using Microsoft Excel Starter 2010, not all the features listed for Excel 2010 are supported in Excel Starter. For more information about the features available in Excel Starter, see Excel Starter feature support.

Area Subarea Level of support
Excel 2007 Excel 2010 Excel 2013
Formatting Row Heights/Column widths

Supported

Appearance should be similar.

Supported

Appearance should be similar.

Supported

Appearance should be similar.
Formatting Cell Supported Supported Supported
Hyperlinks

Supported

There might be issues with Hyperlink styles.

Supported

There might be issues with Hyperlink styles.

Supported

There might be issues with Hyperlink styles.
Formatting Cell styles Supported Supported Supported
Dates Dates before 1900-01-01

Not Supported

If save workbook with dates before 1900-01-01 as .ods, the pre-1900 dates won't save correctly.

Not Supported

If save workbook with dates before 1900-01-01 as .ods, the pre-1900 dates won't save correctly.

Not Supported

If save workbook with dates before 1900-01-01 as .ods, the pre-1900 dates won't save correctly.
Print Print Ranges Supported Supported Supported
Print Repeat Rows/Columns Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Print Page breaks Supported Supported Supported
Print Header/Footer

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, Image, First page or Odd/even options are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, Image, First page or Odd/even options are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, Image, First page or Odd/even options are not supported.
Formulas Supported Supported Supported
Formulas Names

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, Local Names, Named expressions, and names to discontinuous ranges are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, Local Names, Named expressions, and names to discontinuous ranges are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, Local Names, Named expressions, and names to discontinuous ranges are not supported.
Cell Comments

Partially Supported

Comments with content are round-tripped. Formatting on the comment might not be supported when you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel.

Partially Supported

Comments with content are round-tripped. Formatting on the comment might not be supported when you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel.

Partially Supported

Comments with content are round-tripped. Formatting on the comment might not be supported when you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel.
Data Tools Group & Outline Supported Supported Supported
OLE Objects Supported Supported Supported
Settings Window Settings Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Settings Sheet/Book settings Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Protection Sheet Protection

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, protection without a password is supported. However, files with a password-protected sheet cannot be saved or opened.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, protection without a password is supported. However, files with a password-protected sheet cannot be saved or opened.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, protection without a password is supported. However, files with a password-protected sheet cannot be saved or opened.
Protection Information Rights Management (IRM)

Not Supported

Files with IRM turned on cannot be saved.

Not Supported

Files with IRM turned on cannot be saved.

Not Supported

Files with IRM turned on cannot be saved.
Protection Encryption

Not Supported

Files with of this type protection cannot be saved.

Not Supported

Files with of this type protection cannot be saved.

Not Supported

Files with of this type protection cannot be saved.
Data Tools Data Validation

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some formula type Data Validation cannot be saved.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some formula type Data Validation cannot be saved.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some formula type Data Validation cannot be saved.
External Data Web Queries Supported Supported Supported
External Data QueryTables

Partially Supported

Some settings, such as inserted columns, are not supported.

Partially Supported

Some settings, such as inserted columns, are not supported.

Partially Supported

Some settings, such as inserted columns, are not supported.
Tables Total Rows Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Tables Table Styles Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Data Tools Sort

Partially Supported

Some advanced settings are not supported.

Partially Supported

Some advanced settings are not supported.

Partially Supported

Some advanced settings are not supported.
Data Tools Subtotal

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, the formulas themselves are supported, but the settings for re-applying are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, the formulas themselves are supported, but the settings for re-applying are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, the formulas themselves are supported, but the settings for re-applying are not supported.
Data Tools Filter

Partially Supported

Basic filtering is supported, but the Filter features added in Excel 2007 are not supported.

Partially Supported

Basic filtering is supported, but the Filter features added in Excel 2010 are not supported.

Partially Supported

Basic filtering is supported, but the Filter features added in Excel 2013 are not supported.
PivotTable Styles Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
PivotTable Layout

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some layouts, such as compact axis, are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some layouts, such as compact axis, are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some layouts, such as compact axis, are not supported.
PivotTable Calculated fields Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
PivotTable Grouping Partially Supported Partially Supported Partially Supported
PivotTable IMBI PivotTables Not Supported
PivotTables OLAP Pivots Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Data Tools Consolidation Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Shared Workbooks Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Data labels

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Data Labels are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Data Labels are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Data Labels are not supported.
Charts Data tables Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Trendlines

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Trendlines are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Trendlines are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Trendlines are not supported.
Charts Error bars

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Error Bars are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Error Bars are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some Error Bars are not supported.
Charts Drop Lines Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Hi-Low lines Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Leader lines on data labels Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Filled Radar Charts Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Legends

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some settings are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some settings are not supported.

Partially Supported

When you save the file in .ods format and open it again in Excel, some settings are not supported.
Charts PivotCharts Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
charts Chart Sheets Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Charts Pie of Pie or Bar of Pie Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
OLAP Formulas Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
charts Shapes on charts Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported

Graphics Elements

The table below shows which Excel graphics features are fully, partially, or not supported in the OpenDocument Format (.ods).

  • Supported     The Excel format and the OpenDocument Format support this feature. Graphics using this feature generally appear and behave the same in either format.
  • Partially Supported     The Excel format and the OpenDocument Format support this feature, but graphics might appear different between the formats. No data is generally lost between the formats, but formatting and how you work with these graphics might be different.
  • Not Supported     Because of the unique differences of features and implementation between the Excel format and the OpenDocument Format, this feature isn’t supported in OpenDocument Format. If you plan to save your worksheet in an OpenDocument Format, don’t use these features.
Basic shapes Level of support
Excel 2007 Excel 2010 Excel 2013
Shapes Supported Supported Supported
Text boxes

Supported

Supported except for objects inside text boxes. The objects inside the text box are dropped when you open an OpenDocument file.

Supported

Supported except for objects inside text boxes. The objects inside the text box are dropped when you open an OpenDocument file.

Supported

Supported except for objects inside text boxes. The objects inside the text box are dropped when you open an OpenDocument file.
WordArt

Partially Supported

ODF does not support the WordArt options in Excel. As a result, WordArt is converted to a text box on save. The text and base text color are maintained but WordArt effects and formatting are lost.

Partially Supported

ODF does not support the WordArt options in Excel. As a result, WordArt is converted to a text box on save. The text and base text color are maintained but WordArt effects and formatting are lost.

Partially Supported

ODF does not support the WordArt options in Excel. As a result, WordArt is converted to a text box on save. The text and base text color are maintained but WordArt effects and formatting are lost.
3D shapes options Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Pictures

Supported

Supported except for the insert and link option that are not supported in ODF.

Supported

Supported except for the insert and link option that are not supported in ODF.

Supported

Supported except for the insert and link option that are not supported in ODF.
SmartArt diagrams

Supported

Converted to a group of shapes.

Supported

Converted to a group of shapes.

Supported

Converted to a group of shapes.
ActiveX controls Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Excel form controls Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Objects in charts

Supported

Converted to a group containing the chart and objects.

Supported

Converted to a group containing the chart and objects.

Supported

Converted to a group containing the chart and objects.
Signature line object Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Camera tool/paste as picture link object Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Ink annotation

Supported

The ink annotation is converted to a freeform shape.

Supported

The ink annotation is converted to an Enhanced Metafile (EMF) image.

Supported

The ink annotation is converted to an Enhanced Metafile (EMF) image.
Group of objects

Supported

Some objects cannot be grouped together in Excel 2007, so the objects are ungrouped when you open the OpenDocument file. This includes a chart, picture, shape, or text box grouped with an OLE object.

Supported

Some objects cannot be grouped together in Excel 2010, so the objects are ungrouped when you open the OpenDocument file. This includes a chart, picture, shape, or text box grouped with an OLE object.

Supported

Some objects cannot be grouped together in Excel 2013, so the objects are ungrouped when you open the OpenDocument file. This includes a chart, picture, shape, or text box grouped with an OLE object.
Object visibility

Not Supported

Invisible objects become visible after saving the file in .ods and opening again in Excel 2007.

Not Supported

Invisible objects become visible after saving the file in .ods and opening again in Excel 2010.

Not Supported

Invisible objects become visible after saving the file in .ods and opening again in Excel 2013.
Object borders

Supported

Not all border styles are supported. Border styles that are not supported are saved as the default border style (black, solid line).

Supported

Not all border styles are supported. Border styles that are not supported are saved as the default border style (black, solid line).

Supported

Not all border styles are supported. Border styles that are not supported are saved as the default border style (black, solid line).
Object fills

Supported

Supported except that gradient fills with more than two stops lose all stops after the first two

Supported

Supported except that gradient fills with more than two stops lose all stops after the first two.

Supported

Supported except that gradient fills with more than two stops lose all stops after the first two.
Line formatting

Supported

Not all line and line end styles are supported in ODF. Styles that are not supported are saved as the default, black solid line and open arrow type, respectively.

Supported

Not all line and line end styles are supported in ODF. Styles that are not supported are saved as the default, black solid line and open arrow type, respectively.

Supported

Not all line and line end styles are supported in ODF. Styles that are not supported are saved as the default, black solid line and open arrow type, respectively.
Picture cropping

Supported

Regular cropping of a picture is supported. However, cropping a picture with a shape is not supported.

Supported

Regular cropping of a picture is supported. However, cropping a picture with a shape is not supported.

Supported

Regular cropping of a picture is supported. However, cropping a picture with a shape is not supported.
Picture recoloring

Partially Supported

Some picture recoloring has the equivalent in ODF, such as black and white. Other picture recoloring does not have an equivalent and is flattened. The picture appears the same but the recoloring can no longer be changed or removed.

Partially Supported

Some picture recoloring has the equivalent in ODF, such as black and white. Other picture recoloring does not have an equivalent and is flattened. The picture appears the same but the recoloring can no longer be changed or removed.

Partially Supported

Some picture recoloring has the equivalent in ODF, such as black and white. Other picture recoloring does not have an equivalent and is flattened. The picture appears the same but the recoloring can no longer be changed or removed.
3D picture options Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Picture styles

Partially Supported

Borders are partially supported, but might not look the same.

Partially Supported

Borders are partially supported, but might not look the same.

Partially Supported

Borders are partially supported, but might not look the same.
Themes Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported
Hyperlink on shape Not Supported Not Supported Not Supported

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Applies to:
Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007