The files can also be opened by other StarOffice applications. For example, they can be used for calculations within the spreadsheet Calc and inserted in Writer as an object in the text.
The extension SMF was used by early versions of StarOffice (up to 5.0), current ones use the OpenDocument format odf.
StarOffice was originally developed by the German company Star Division. The word processor StarWriter presented the basis of the package that first appeared for MS-DOS and subsequently for Windows. In 1999, Star Division was acquired by Sun Microsystems and ported StarOffice to various platforms. The components of the office suite have been changed several times. In 2000, the source code was published by StarOffice, from which the open source project OpenOffice was created. Nevertheless, there was a commercial variant that offered additional support. From version 8 StarOffice supports the OpenDocument standard.
Most often resolving problems with opening SMF files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support SMF files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of SMF files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such 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 SMF 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 QuickTime Player applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where QuickTime Player has been installed.
Sometimes problems with opening SMF files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as: