---
title: ".odt file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .odt file is an OpenDocument Text. The open-standard word processor format, native to LibreOffice. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .odt files

**.odt file: OpenDocument Text**

The open-standard word processor format, native to LibreOffice.

## What opens a .odt file

- **Windows:** LibreOffice Writer, Microsoft Word, OnlyOffice
- **macOS:** LibreOffice Writer, Microsoft Word, Pages (built in)
- **Linux:** LibreOffice Writer (built in on most distros), OnlyOffice, AbiWord
- **In a browser:** Google Docs

## What a .odt file is

ODT is part of OpenDocument (ISO/IEC 26300), the vendor-neutral office standard that several governments mandate for public records. LibreOffice and OpenOffice use it natively, and Microsoft Word has read and written it since 2007, so it is not the compatibility problem it once was. Like DOCX, the file is a zip of XML.

## Converting it

A .odt file is commonly converted to .docx, .pdf, .rtf, .txt or .html. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .odt
- **Full name:** OpenDocument Text
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text
- **Created by:** OASIS / The Document Foundation
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .odt file?

On Windows use LibreOffice Writer; on macOS use LibreOffice Writer; on Linux use LibreOffice Writer (built in on most distros). The open-standard word processor format, native to LibreOffice.

### What is a .odt file?

OpenDocument Text. ODT is part of OpenDocument (ISO/IEC 26300), the vendor-neutral office standard that several governments mandate for public records. LibreOffice and OpenOffice use it natively, and Microsoft Word has read and written it since 2007, so it is not the compatibility problem it once was.

### Can I convert a .odt file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .docx, .pdf, .rtf, .txt or .html, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.eml — Email Message](https://atoneplace.net/file/eml/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)