What does OpenOffice.org do?

OpenOffice.org is a free office suite that includes the following:

	Writer – a word processor that can read and write Word files
	Calc – a spreadsheet that can read and write Excel files
	Impress – a presentation program – can read and write PowerPoint files
	Base – a database program
	Draw – a drawing program for making shapes and diagrams
	Math – a maths equation generator

How to obtain and install OpenOffice.org

1. Download the Windows version of the installation file from www.openoffice.org.
   It is 154MB in size. Save it into your either Documents folder, or Downloads folder.
   (Note: Windows 7 and Vista computers have a Downloads folder by default. If you have a Windows XP computer, you can make a Downloads sub-folder inside My Documents).
   
   
2. Use Windows Explorer to locate the Downloads folder. Locate the OpenOffice.org installation file and double-click on it to start the installation routine.
   Note: It has a long filename (e.g. OOo_3.3_Win32Intel_install_wJRE_en_US.exe).
   Just in case you're interested, that is an abbreviation for "OpenOffice.org, version 3.2, Windows 32 bit installation with Java Runtime Environment, with menus etc. in US English."
   
   
3. Follow on-screen directions to install the program, accepting the settings suggested.
   To make the program fully active you may need to close down and restart your computer.
   
   (Note: During installation, OpenOffice makes a temporary folder of installation components on the Desktop. Once the OpenOffice program is fully installed the temporary folder may be deleted.)

How to start OpenOffice.org programs

Here are the options:

1. OpenOffice places an icon in the System tray (bottom-right of screen near the digital clock).
   Right-click on this icon and from the pop-up menu left-click the program of you require.
2. Click on Start » All Programs » OpenOffice.org, and from the pop-up menu select the program required.
3. If you use OpenOffice.org regularly it will place its icon on the Start Menu.
   When this occurs you can use it by clicking Start » OpenOffice.org.
4. Double-click on the OpenOffice.org icon on the Desktop, if one is there.

Help files

OpenOffice.org has a comprehensive set of Help files.
To see them, press the F1 key in the row of Function Keys that is above the row of ordinary number keys on the keyboard.

The left pane of the Help window has a column of labelled icons. Double-clicking on an icon opens a list of its contents. Double-clicking on one of these opens the required information in the right hand pane of the Help window.
One very useful section is reached by double-clicking
Common Help Topics » Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org

The OpenOffice.org website offers a range of Tutorials and other information about the programs.

How to Uninstall OpenOffice.org

If you want to remove OpenOffice.org from your computer:

1. Click on Start » Control Panel » Add and Remove Programs. Wait while Windows generates a list of programs.
2. Scroll down the list of programs to locate OpenOffice.org.
3. Click to highlight the OpenOffice.org line. A wide highlighted band will appear across the page.
4. Click on the Remove button which appears in the highlighted area.
   The uninstallation routine will begin.