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Google: OOXML 'insufficient and unnecessary'

David Meyer ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 26 Feb 2008 11:38 GMT

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Google has claimed that Microsoft's proposed Office Open XML document standard is unnecessary and should be rolled into the rival OpenDocument Format.

In a Monday post on Google's official blog, open-source programs manager Zaheda Bhorat said the issue affects everybody who uses editable documents.

"A document standards decision may not matter to you today but, as someone who relies on constant access to editable documents, spreadsheets and presentations, it may matter immensely in the near future," wrote Bhorat.

Document formats are shifting towards the use of the Extensible Markup Language (XML), which allows types of data to be defined and tagged within documents. The OpenDocument Format (ODF) has already been ratified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), but Microsoft's alternative, Office Open XML (OOXML), is currently undergoing its second attempt to gain ISO approval.

Google's technical analysis of the OOXML specification — which notoriously runs to 6,000 pages of code, compared with ODF's 860 pages — has led the company to believe that "OOXML would be an insufficient and unnecessary standard, designed purely around the needs of Microsoft Office", Bhorat claimed.

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OOXML is this week being debated for the second time by ISO, having failed to gain approval in a preliminary vote held six months ago. A ballot will not be held during the meeting, but the various national standards bodies that voted in September are being invited to adjust their positions, if they wish, by the end of March.

"We join the OpenDocument Format Alliance and many other experts in our belief that OOXML doesn't meet the criteria required for a globally-accepted standard," Bhorat wrote. "As ISO member bodies around the world work on possible revisions of their vote previously submitted, the deadline of 30 March approaches fast. I invite you to pay close attention and heed the call of many for unification of OOXML into ODF."

A Microsoft spokesperson defended OOXML by saying that its customers "have told us their data needs can't be addressed by a one-format-fits-all approach".

"Everyone wants to use their data in slightly different ways," said Microsoft's spokesperson. "Furthermore, multiple standards can foster a healthy, competitive industry. By developing tools like the [Office] Open XML-ODF translators and making them widely available, we are promoting customer choice, which is our top priority."

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Full Talkback thread

65 comments

  1. Very nice Albert lars
  2. Microsoft double-tongued Anonymous123
  3. ODF useless for Microsoft needs Albert
  4. OOXML is fully open Albert
  5. Sorry, the comment was cut short. Here'... garyedwards
  6. Reasons for lack of interoperbility in ODF Albert
  7. ODF, The Big Picture Goldie Simmons
  8. Breaking the Web garyedwards
  9. Google has invested in competing format Albert
  10. Document standards 2000355890
  11. Questioning Google’s objectiveness harpless
  12. Microsoft's Argument is Ridiculous Goldie Simmons
  13. insufficient and unnecessary standard, designed pu... ator1940
  14. Interoperability and the binary ODF conversion di... garyedwards
  15. A bit of background... Anonymous123
  16. Microsoft moves forward with OOXML SDK Karen Friar ZD
  17. The rest of the text in the previous tal... lars
  18. Google motivation Albert
  19. Which OOXML features in particular can't... Chris Rankin
  20. XML in spirit isn't going to be as effic... Anonymous123
  21. But does even Microsoft Office use OOXML... Chris Rankin
  22. Thanks Gary, very informative Goldie Simmons
  23. Durusau's proposal is preposterous Marbux
  24. A very Interesting Take Moley
  25. Features not in ODF Albert
  26. OOXML performance explained Albert
  27. Office and OOXML David Meyer ZD
  28. MS Office 2007 does fully support O... Albert
  29. ISO Credibility garyedwards
  30. Thank you for an intelligent r... Anonymous123
  31. Of course ODF isn't backwards... Chris Rankin
  32. Then why add "read"... Chris Rankin
  33. 00o writes compliant files Goldie Simmons
  34. You are contradicting Rupert G... Chris Rankin
  35. Terse markup for speed -- NOT Marbux
  36. Tail end of previous comment garyedwards
  37. Cut to the chase garyedwards
  38. ODF also has backwards compati... Albert
  39. MS influencing ODF development... Albert
  40. No, OOo is not fully complient... Albert
  41. MS Office 2007 files fully val... Albert
  42. That's OK, I contradict R... Rupert Goodwins ZD
  43. Widespread support for OOXML a... Albert
  44. Actually OOXML is not really t... Albert
  45. Actually MS Office 2007 compli... Albert
  46. Actually, you're making all th... Chris Rankin
  47. It's a question of greate... Chris Rankin
  48. Questions for the community Goldie Simmons
  49. Do tell me more, Albert Marbux
  50. Albert, give me a single examp... Marbux
  51. Open Standards Moley
  52. If you plan for incompatiblity... Albert
  53. Believe is in the prove Albert
  54. ODF and OOXML are standards in... Marbux
  55. explaination Albert
  56. ODF better readable but less g... Albert
  57. Interoperability Albert
  58. OOXML is Open Albert
  59. Then why does the same spreads... Marbux
  60. Extensions are bugs, not featu... Marbux
  61. OOXML interop is abysmal Marbux
  62. Extensions to ODF realistic ? Albert
  63. Undocumented eXtensions and St... garyedwards
  64. Not 1,500 extensions Marbux
  65. You've got to be kidding,... Marbux

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