Google Docs gets x'ier with .docx and .xlsx support
Google Docs now supports .docx and .xlsx, two files formats found in nearly every modern day word processor or spreadsheet editor. Previously, when trying to import either of these formats into Google Docs, the service would simply tell the user it was not supported.
Google has allowed users to open up these files from Gmail or in Google search results since the introduction of its HTML-document viewer last year, but hadn't allowed direct opening of them in Docs without the extra conversion step. Gmail still only offers the options to view received .docx and .xlsx-formatted files in its HTML viewer, or download it directly to the desktop. In comparison, supported files can be sent directly to Google Docs.
Compared with previous versions of the popular .doc and .xls formats, the "x" variants bring with them smaller file size and the addition of Open XML. These two are also the default format in the latest versions of Microsoft's Excel and Word 2007, two widely used production tools.
Still missing is a way to import .pptx files from PowerPoint 2007 without losing formatting. Just like it used to do with .docx and .xlsx files, Google Docs strips things like themes, transitions and artwork. Competitor Zoho has offered support for these Open Office XML formats since early 2008.
Previously, Google Docs users would see this screen when trying to import a .Docx or .Xlsx file type.
(Credit: CNET)
Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and services. E-mail Josh, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Josh. 





MS should open source OWC
-or-
google should copy OWC identically, 100% compatible to the same XmlData method
You must enjoy that feeling of having that M$ whip cracked on your back. Personally, I find it offensive. I know, I was forced to pollute a co-worker's Mac with that Office 2008 virus this morning just to deal with this "open" format because some idiotic moron doesn't know how to select a proper format that the world can deal with and instead just sends out the default garbage OOXML format, forcing everyone else to have a copy of Office 2007 or later to deal with it.
It should be illegal. OK, not really, but it really did tick me off this morning. Cue up the Imperial March. Nothing good will ever come of this.
Wait a second ... didn't we make slavery illegal back in the day?
Also, how is the Ribbon better? I find it confusing, cumbersome, and uncustomizable. Why would you want to add more clicks into your workflow? Even better, if half of what you do is typing, why use the interface at all? (except to find features you don't know about) Ctrl+B works just as well as the bold button (maybe better).
It's like when your slave master decides to rape you while he's whipping you, it's offensive to everyone who's not on the M$ payroll. But at least the slave master is smiling.
- by grossj144 June 2, 2009 2:32 PM PDT
- First of all, I find the use of the slave master analogies to be quite offensive and no where near correct. There is absolutely no way to compare being stolen from you homeland by force and being "forced" to use a product made by a software company. When Gates and Co. come to your home, kill your kids, and carry you off to work in an office, then go ahead and use the analogy. Until then, don't.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(12 Comments)Second, if you refuse to use Office 2007 but need to open the format using Office 2003, you can download an update and all will work fine (for the most part). I don't find it all that difficult to save my files in .doc format when I'm at work using Office 2007 and then open it up using OpenOffice.org 3.x at home. If you use another system (OS/Office) and get sent a .docx file you can either ask the sender to resend it using the .doc extension or root around the internet for a converter. You will find plenty just by typing in openoffice.org docx into Google. It really isn't that hard.
Cheers