Open Document Format (ODF) is an open standard file format for the storage and transfer of office documents between software platforms. It was originally developed for use within Open Office, the freely available office suite of programs.
What is meant by open format?
Unlike the native file formats typically associated with proprietary software such as Microsoft Office, ODF is open to anyone to develop tools to manipulate the files. Because the file structure is open to inspection by anyone documents stored in ODF format will never be in the position of requiring out of date software to read the files.
How about accessibility?
The fact that ODF is an open standard file format means that various developers, and in particular major players in the assistive technology field, will be in a position to work towards accessibility solutions which will not be so dependant on any particular software platform.
So where do we go from here?
ODF is an emerging and developing format that represents a mood swing away from proprietary file formats tied to particular office applications' software. Whilst there is a good deal of development work to be done yet it is very much a case of watch this space!
Information on other file formats is available on the pages for Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations and PDF documents.