.ods File Extension
.ods spreadsheet is, which apps open it, how Poly supports it, and when XLSX or CSV may be a better choice. File extension details for .ods
Full Support| File type | OpenDocument Spreadsheet |
|---|---|
| MIME type | |
| Encoding | Binary ZIP package containing XML and related resources |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Opens with | LibreOffice Calc, Microsoft Excel |
| Poly support | Yes. Poly provides rich support for compatible ODS spreadsheets. |
| Indexed by Poly | Yes. Poly indexes readable cell text and rendered spreadsheet content. |
| Preview in Poly | Yes. Compatible ODS files get thumbnails and a connected spreadsheet preview. |
| Poly agent | Yes. The Poly agent can read spreadsheet text and inspect rendered sheets. |
What kind of file is an .ods?
An .ods file is an OpenDocument Spreadsheet. It uses the registered application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet MIME type and can hold multiple worksheets, formulas, named ranges, formatting, charts, and images.12
ODS is usually a ZIP package containing XML files and related resources. A conforming package places an uncompressed file named mimetype first, followed by entries such as content.xml, styles.xml, and META-INF/manifest.xml.2 The generic 50 4B 03 04 ZIP signature alone is not enough to identify ODS because many office formats use ZIP containers. The IANA identification pattern also checks for mimetype at byte 30 and the spreadsheet media-type value at byte 38.1
budget.xlsx or budget.csv to budget.ods does not convert it. A spreadsheet application must open the source and save or export a real ODS file.How do I open an .ods on my computer?
- On Windows, macOS, or Linux, LibreOffice Calc opens and saves ODS as its standard spreadsheet format.3
- On Windows or macOS, current supported versions of Microsoft Excel can open and save ODS files.4
- Archive and XML tools can inspect an unencrypted ODS package, but they do not provide a normal spreadsheet view or recalculate formulas.
Excel and ODS do not support every feature in exactly the same way. Microsoft documents differences involving some formulas, charts, filters, form controls, themes, and other workbook features.5 For an important file, reopen the saved copy in the application your recipient will use and check formulas, formatting, charts, hidden sheets, and external links.
Poly support for .ods
Poly gives compatible ODS spreadsheets thumbnails, a connected spreadsheet preview, full-text search across readable cell content, and page-aware visual and semantic search. After processing, the Poly agent can read extracted spreadsheet text and inspect rendered sheets.
The interactive preview requires an internet connection and is best effort. Password-protected, damaged, or unsupported spreadsheets may not produce a preview or content index. Poly does not run macros or external data connections.
History of .ods
OASIS approved OpenDocument 1.0 on May 1, 2005, establishing an application-independent, XML-based family of office formats.6 IANA created the spreadsheet media-type registration in 2006 and recorded .ods as its extension.1
OpenDocument has evolved without changing the suffix. OpenDocument 1.4 became an OASIS Standard on October 6, 2025. Its specification covers the package format, document schema, and OpenFormula formula language.2
Working with .ods and alternatives
Choose the output format according to what must survive:
| Format | Best use | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| ODS | Editable spreadsheets in OpenDocument workflows | Some Excel-specific features may translate differently |
| XLSX | Collaboration centered on Microsoft Excel | ODS-specific formulas or formatting may change |
| CSV | Exchanging one simple data table | No multiple sheets, charts, styles, or live formulas |
| Fixed review or printing | Not a normal editable spreadsheet |
Treat an unexpected ODS as active document content. The format may contain scripts, external objects, hyperlinks, hidden sheets, comments, and author metadata.1 Open suspicious files only in a trusted, updated application, and review those elements before sharing.
Footnotes
- Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheetMedia Type Registration. The registration records the.odsextension, binary encoding, identification pattern, and security considerations. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 - OASIS Open. OpenDocument Version 1.4, Part 2: Packages. The specification defines the ZIP package, manifest, media-type entry, encryption, and signatures. ↩ ↩2 ↩3
- The Document Foundation. XML File Formats. LibreOffice documents ODF Spreadsheet as
.odsand OpenDocument as its default load and save format. ↩ - Microsoft Support. Use Excel to Open or Save a Worksheet in the OpenDocument Spreadsheet Format. ↩
- Microsoft Support. Differences Between the OpenDocument Spreadsheet and Excel Formats. ↩
- OASIS Open. OpenDocument Format for Office Applications v1.0. The first OASIS Standard is dated May 1, 2005. ↩