Open FODS files

  • Full name
    OpenDocument Flat XML Spreadsheet Format
  • Developer
    Oracle
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a FODS file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a FODS file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your FODS file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is FODS file?

The file extension FODS identifies spreadsheets in the uncompressed format of the OpenDocument standard.

More info

The files contain data in cells organized in columns and rows. They can also include macros and formulas.

This format is part of the Open Document for Office Application Standards, also known as OpenDocument. Originally developed by Sun Microsystems and based on XML, the standard was developed by the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS).

The uncompressed form as a single XML with the extension FODS is not very common. The ZIP-compressed variant with the suffix ods is the standard.

The files, because they are pure XML can be read with any text editor, but you will not get the correctly formatted document.

Programs which can open a FODS file

How to open file with FODS extension?

In order to open a file with FODS extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening FODS file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with FODS files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install OpenOffice.org or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening FODS files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support FODS files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of FODS files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set OpenOffice.org as the default program for opening FODS files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate FODS files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the OpenOffice.org applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where OpenOffice.org has been installed.

2
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Check the section that lists most common problems with FODS files

Sometimes problems with opening FODS files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • FODS files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open FODS files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • FODS file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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