ODF is an open standard for storing office documents like text, spreadsheets, drawings, and presentations.While ODF1.2 has been a standard for years, most tools do not fully implement the entire specification. See how many current generation office suites implement and or ignore the features of the ODF specification. I'll also cover some open source tools which you can use to check how well your own documents are preserved across many different office suites. Some results are available at http://autotests.opendocumentformat.org/

I have been working on tools to help you work out what is supported by each office application and see how a document is presented on a platform that you do not have access to. odfautotests runs hundreds of tests that have been derived from the ODF standard, with each test aimed at showing how well each office application preserves a specific attribute or element of the ODF standard.

So for example you can see at a glance what office application will throw away ruby text, and also see how the ruby text is presented. While you might not care about ruby text, returning an updated document to a Japanese client with it stripped out will likely lead to tension. odfserver is a new tool created this year to allow files to be uploaded to a central server and have numerous office applications load and save each file to test compatibility.

These testing tools are useful for a few groups of people. End users looking to use ODF and knowing what is properly perserved in their document. Small tests showing failing attributes are gold for developers who can then formulate plans as to which parts of the specification should be supported by their project next.