WRITER is OpenOffice.org's word processor that has everything you would expect from a modern, fully equipped word processor or desktop publisher. Use it for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book with embedded illustrations, cross-references, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies... Auto-complete, auto-format, and real-time spelling check make light work of the hardest task. Writer is powerful enough to tackle desktop publishing tasks such as creating multi-column newsletters, brochures – the only limit is your imagination.
The Wizards takes all the hassle out of producing standard documents such as letters, faxes, agendas, minutes, or carrying out more complex tasks such as mail merges. You are of course free to create your own templates.

CALC is to gain control over your numbers. This powerful spreadsheet has all the tools you need to calculate, analyse, summarise, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics. A fully-integrated help system makes entering complex formulas a breeze. Sophisticated decision-making tools are just a few mouse clicks away. Pull in external data using the Data Pilot, and sort it, filter it, and produce subtotals and statistical analyses. Use previews to select from thirteen categories of 2-D and 3-D charts including line, area, column, pie, XY, stock and net with dozens of variants.
Newcomers find it intuitive and easy to learn; professional data miners and number crunchers will appreciate the comprehensive range of advanced functions. Advanced DataPilot technology makes it easy to pull in raw data from corporate databases; cross-tabulate, summarise, and convert it into meaningful information.

IMPRESS is the fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will truly stand out with special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools. A complete range of Views are supported: Drawing / Outline / Slides / Notes / Handouts to meet all the needs of presenters and audiences, plus an optional multi-pane view to put all the tools at your fingertips.
Of course, you are free to use your old Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, or save your work in PowerPoint format for sending to people who are still locked into Microsoft products. Alternatively, use IMPRESS's built-in ability to create Flash (.swf) versions of your presentations.

DRAW will produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects. Use Styles and Formatting to put all your graphics styles at your finger tips. Manipulate objects, rotate in two or three dimensions; the 3D controller puts spheres, rings, cubes, etc. at your disposal. Arrange objects: group, ungroup, regroup, and edit objects while grouped. Sophisticated rendering let you create photorealistic images with your own texture, lighting effects, transparency, perspective, and so on.

BASE enables you to manipulate database data seamlessly within OpenOffice.org. Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, either using your own database or Base's own built-in HSQL database engine. BASE offers a choice of using Wizards, Design Views, or SQL Views for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.
For more advanced requirements, BASE supports many popular databases database natively (Adabas D, ADO, Microsoft Access, MySQL), or any database through industry-standard ODBC and JDBC drivers. It also supports any LDAP compliant address book, as well as common formats such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows, and Mozilla.

What's so great about OpenOffice.org?

• no commercial licences or software compliance issues to worry about
• no language barriers - if it's not yet available in your language, the chances are it will be soon
• available on all major computing platforms
• the roots of OpenOffice.org go back twenty years, creating a huge wealth of experience
• hundreds of thousands of users have participated in the beta testing of version 2
• with a fully open development process, OpenOffice.org has nothing to hide - the product stands or falls on its reputation
• the software looks and feels familiar and is instantly usable by anyone who has used a competitive product
• it is easy to change to OpenOffice.org - the software reads all major competitors' files
• OpenOffice.org is supported by a global community of friendly volunteers, only too happy to provide assistance to newcomers and advanced users alike

With current version 2, it gets even better:

• the first office suite to use the new OASIS OpenDocument format, the future-proof international standard for office software (ISO/IEC 26300)
• easier to install, with a whole new look and feel, matched to the type of computer in use
• more intuitive, more easy to use than ever, with a host of new usability features
• introducing a major new component, Base: an easy-to-use database manager with a fully integrated database
• more compatible with other software packages – now understands even obscure and rarely used features in major competitors