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What is the difference: ODT vs PDF

What is the difference: ODT vs PDF

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December 4, 2022

If you often work with office files, you may have come across an ODT document. Perhaps someone shared it instead of a DOCX or PDF file. In this article, we will tell you what ODT files are, how to open and convert them. We will also tell you which format is better: ODT vs PDF.

Table of Contents

You can use the ODT extension is in files created and saved using the word processing software OpenOffice, also known as StarOffice. This is software from Sun Microsystems, Inc. and the ODT format is similar to other text document formats. In more technical terms, XML content is contained in a ZIP package that includes an ODT file. These files can contain text and images, and tables and various digital objects. Users can use OpenOffice to add styles and formatting preferences to ODT files. 

What does ODT mean?

ODT (OpenDocument Text Document) files are text files in OpenDocument format created with utilities such as Open Office or LibreOffice. It is similar in its capabilities to the DOCX file. You can often use this text document in various Office programs.

In 2014, Google Docs, as well as Sheets and Slides, received support for the ODT standard. Users were able to save text documents in ODT format, and now the ODT file extension is becoming more common and popular.

How do I open an ODT file?

Opening ODT files is easy, and ODT files can be converted to other formats with tools that support this file type. Be sure to install the free ODF plugin for Microsoft Word.

ODT files can be opened with several programs:

  • If you have a Mac, you can use your own Mac application, LibreOffice or NeoOffice, which is an offshoot of OpenOffice and LibreOffice designed specifically for macOS. 
  • OpenDocument files can also be opened with other office packages with varying degrees of compatibility.
  • Google Docs allows you to open an ODT file as a Google Docs document and edit it directly. Google Docs also allows you to export documents as ODT files.
  • You can also open ODT files with Corel WordPerfect.
  • There is another program with which you can open the file. it is Lotus Symphony.
  • If you do not want to download an application, you can open and view the file online in Groupdocs (no editing is possible).

What is the difference between ODT and PDF?

ODT and PDF are file formats commonly used for text documents. But which format is better: ODT vs PDF.

An ODT file contains text, images, other objects, styles, and more, just like a Word file. This format can be opened and saved in Microsoft Word and some other office packages. Portable Document Format (PDF) is a format used for easy reading, sharing, and printing of files.

Both formats are similar in nature. The main difference between them is that PDF is more often used as a medium for presenting data, than for storing it. ODT, on the other hand, is typically used only for data storage. PDF is more popular and widely used than ODT.

For full extensive information about the PDF file, please read our previous article.

ODT vs PDF

ODTPDF
Who created Sun SystemsAdobe Systems
When created in 2005in 1991
Most popular app to open OpenOfficeAdobe Acrobat Reader
EditingPossible with all compatible programsUsually not possible (only with the paid version of Adobe Acrobat)
FormattingDifferent appearance depending on your deviceSame appearance on all devices
PopularityThe ODT format holds a relatively
small market share and many computer users don’t have an application
with their operating system to open the files by default.
The PDF format is more popular because it was developed more than 20 years ago and has found excellent feedback from users.
Main purposeEditing and storing dataRepresenting data

How do I change ODT to PDF?

Currently, all major office suites support the ODT format.

Example of how to convert an ODT file to PDF:

  1. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  2. Open Acrobat and choose Tools > Create PDF.
  3. Select the file from your computer and click Create.
  4. Convert the file to PDF.
  5. Save the file to the desired location.

To convert ODT format to PDF, use word processing software or a virtual printer. You can also use converter programs or online services on the Internet that convert ODT to PDF.

Which format is better: ODT vs PDF?

To ensure compatibility of documents created in the ODT format, you need to convert them into a PDF file, because when you email them, they will remain in the original format in which you developed them without losing their appearance.
As a result, the PDF file can be read on totally different operating systems and is the standard for public documents. And by converting documents into a PDF file, they will become more secure and protected.

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