File Extension Database

Open ODS File

ODS file extension is most commonly associated with an OpenDocument Format spreadsheet, typically created in either OpenOffice.org or StarOffice Calc. Though less common, the ODS file extension may also denote a Microsoft Outlook Express 5 mailbox which is used to store saved E-Mails. This type of ODS file is similar to the more common DBX file format as used by other versions of Outlook Express.

ODS spreadsheet files contain data stored in the XML-based OpenDocument format, an open source format designed to allow the seamless interchange of files between different applications. Like similar spreadsheet file formats such as XLS or WKS, ODS files contain data stored in rows and columns. Individual data items stored in cells can be uniquely referenced using the letter of the column and the number of the row it is stored in, hence giving a cell reference such as B5 or F2. ODS files primarily contain numeric data which can be used to perform calculations using formulas, or to create charts and graphs which update dynamically to reflect changes to the source data. ODS files can also contain formatted text and images which can be used to improve the presentation of numeric data.

ODS files which relate to Microsoft Outlook Express store the E-Mail contents of a user's mailbox. Only Outlook Express 5 can open ODS file extension - Other versions use DBX, though both formats store mailbox data in a similar way.

You can open ODS file using any OpenDocument compatible application, and are native to both OpenOffice.org Calc and StarOffice Calc, though you can also open ODS file using Microsoft Excel with the OpenXML/ODF Translator add-in. OpenOffice.org is a free open-source suite of applications and is available on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. ODS files relating to Microsoft Outlook Express can only be opened using version 5.

Typical ODS application file locations:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /dde

Typical ODS mime types:

application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet

Frequently used application names to open ODS files:

Microsoft Office - Office14

Frequently associated Windows objects:

Excel.OpenDocumentSpreadsheet.12

How Can I Open ODS File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open ODS file is to find a ODS file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ODS file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open ODS file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as ODS file opener then try to search online for "ODS viewer", "application to open ODS file" or "open ODS file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open ODS file

How Can I Open ODS File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a ODS file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ODS file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with ODS file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as ODS file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open ODS file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open ODS file then try to search for "ODS viewer", "application to open ODS file" or "read ODS file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read ODS file

How Can I Open ODS File on Android

If you downloaded a ODS file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded ODS file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "ODS".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "ODS viewer", "ODS file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open ODS File on iPhone or iPad

To open ODS File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the ODS file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "ODS". This way you can find apps which can open ODS files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "ODS viewer" or "ODS file" online in your favorite search engine.