Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Microsoft Open XML Converter Arrives for Mac

Microsoft has released Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0, a file translator that allows users to open, edit, and convert Open XML files created in Office 2008 for Mac or Office 2007 for Windows for use in earlier versions of the suite, including Office 2004 11.4 and Office v. X 10.1.9 or later.

In addition to text documents, the converter also supports Excel workbooks and PowerPoint presentations saved in Open XML format. In Office 2004 11.4, the converter runs in the background; otherwise it operates as a standalone application. It can also be used to batch convert multiple Open XML documents.

A couple caveats about the converter: According to a notice on the application's splash screen, "Some Open XML files contain content that was created using features that are not available in older versions of Office. After conversion, this content might look different from the original version, and you might not be able to edit it."

The converter arrives a bit late to the show, joining several other Mac applications that support the format natively. For example, Apple's free bare-bones word processing application, TextEdit 1.5, can natively open and convert between Microsoft Word Open XML (.docx) files, ODF, RTF, HTML, and other formats. And the free and open source NeoOffice for Mac can also open, edit, and convert .docx files.

Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0 is a 45 MB download and takes up 182 MB on disk. It's available in localized English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, and Swedish versions. It supports Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later. More information and a link to the download are available here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • Abstract neural network 3D illustration

    Intel® AI EmpowerED: The AI-Ready Campus, Delivered

    Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education, prompting institutions to rethink how they manage infrastructure, security, governance, and workforce readiness. Successful adoption requires a strategic, institution-wide approach that aligns AI initiatives with educational goals, faculty enablement, and scalable operational frameworks.

  • Glowing route lines merging into single gold pathway

    Microsoft Merges Copilot Apps Into a Single User Experience

    Microsoft recently announced it is consolidating its consumer Copilot app and Microsoft 365 Copilot app into a single destination, addressing a fragmented product strategy that has required users to navigate separate applications for AI chat and productivity tools.

  • abstract glowing ai chip on circuit board

    Gartner Marks Enterprise Move from AI Experiments to AI Engineering

    According to Gartner's recent "Hype Cycle for Enterprise Architecture, 2026" report, enterprises are moving from AI experimentation toward a more industrialized approach to AI delivery.

  • Abstract futuristic digital network with glowing padlock icons

    Microsoft Intros New Agentic AI Security Multi-Model Defense System

    A new multi-model agentic AI security system built by Microsoft's Autonomous Code Security team helped researchers find 16 new vulnerabilities across the Windows networking and authentication stack, the company anounced in a recent security blog post.