Different ways to convert Microsoft XML to OpenDocument

User Support
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Hi, Microsoft have an article called “Differences between the OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) format and the Excel for Windows (.xlsx) format” with 2 tables, one for Windows and one for the Web. And 2 articles for Word, Word and Word for the web.

Is it best to use Collabora for a better conversion of Microsoft XML to OpenDocument? Can you give any approx examples of the things that Microsoft list as Partial or Not Supported that do work or work better if you use the latest Collabora Online to convert files instead of using Microsoft software?

Collabora Online Weekly Meeting #235
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Yes, Collabora (LibreOffice-based) usually converts Microsoft XML ODF better than Microsoft’s own “Save as ODF.” Microsoft itself lists many features as Partial or Not Supported when saving to ODS. Collabora treats ODF as native, so round-trips often preserve more.

Examples where Collabora does better

  • PivotTables: Excel flags many layouts as Not Supported (MS doc); Collabora 23.05 added better compact layout and formatting preservation (Collabora blog).
  • Frames / Anchoring: Improved in Collabora 23.05 (Collabora blog). Microsoft marks many drawing/graphics features as only partially supported.
  • Large files / Zip64: Collabora 23.05 supports Zip64 archives, so big files survive better (Collabora blog).
  • Conditional formatting / Filters: Excel warns of losses (MS doc), while Collabora 24.04 fixed multiple filter/sorting round-trip bugs (Collabora release notes).
  • Named ranges / macros: Microsoft drops or limits these (MS doc), but Collabora can preserve named ranges and optionally VBA macros (Collabora help).
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