Microsoft Unveils Open XML Translator 1.0

Open XML Translator 1.0 is the result of a Microsoft funded open source project designed to bridge OpenDocument (ODF) and Open XML document formats. Microsoft has announced that Open XML Translator has been finalized and that version 1.0 is available for download. The ODF - Open XML translator is available for free and has been downloaded over 50,000 times already. As a Microsoft Word add-in, Open XML Translator 1.0 will enable users to open, edit and save documents in ODF. Microsoft has praised the translator as the "next step in document interoperability and choice."

"We believe in delivering interoperability by design; in this case, by working with partners and members of the open source community we have achieved that goal," said Tom Robertson, general manager for Interoperability and Standards at Microsoft. "The translator project has been built to be independent of any one application, and has proved to be useful for both Microsoft and our competitors in solving an interoperability challenge for customers."

"The translator project is the kind of support customers expect and deserve," said Michele Balbi, president of Teorema Engineering Group, an IT system integrator in Italy. "It is especially heartening to see that parties involved are taking the extra steps to help ensure that the translation tools will work in European Union institutions' day-to-day document processing scenarios. This allows a company like ours to integrate solutions more easily for the interoperability requirements of our international customers."

Microsoft additionally revealed that Open XML Translator 1.0 delivers support for both its native format open XML and for ODF and that it has been tested on Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003 and Office XP. Novell has also announced support for the Translator, revealing that it will be integrated in the upcoming version of OpenOffice.

Open XML is already an international standard with Ecma International and Microsoft has already submitted the file format for standardization with the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC).

ODF Add-in for Microsoft Word 1.0 was tested by Softpedia as being 100% Free and is available for download here.