K12 Open Technologies

One of the benefits of open source software is that anyone can
download the source code, throw together a feature or two, and make
it available to anyone who wants it. This sounds great, and is great,
but until recently I'm not sure how much it happened on an individual
level. I know I don't remember writing up any cool new features.

The Extensions capability changes this, though. Visit
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/
and you're in a Disneyland of cool features, ranging from nice little
add-ons to immensely helpful. If you're evaluating OpenOffice.org, or
have been running it for years, you don't have the whole picture
without investigating the extensions.

I've described a few of my favorites in this blog entry, but
you're going to want to at least read the names of all of them.

Installing Extensions

To install extensions, follow these steps:

1. Download the extension file.

2. Choose Tools > Extension Manager.

3. Select My Extensions and click Add.ExtensionManager

4. Find the extension file.

5. Restart OpenOffice.org.

The Pagination and Page Numbering Extension

I have been telling classes and blog readers for years that I want
this extension, and now it's finally here. Click here to download it.
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/node/374

The Pagination extension makes several
things easier:

• Inserting a page number or date
  on every page: you can do it all in one step instead of adding the
  header or footer, then inserting the field

• Suppressing the page number on
  page one: there are several ways to do it and all more complex than
  this extension

• Specifying what page number the
  second page is when you suppress the page number on the first page

To use the feature, just choose Insert
> Page Number and you'll see the easy-to-use window.

Pagination

The Sun Report Builder

The reporting capabilities in OpenOffice.org Base are currently on
the basic side, so for more complex but powerful reporting features,
check out the Sun Report Builder at
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/reportdesign.

To use the report builder, open the Base .odb database file to
work with, then choose Insert > Report.

SunReportBuilder

Choose the table and other basics,
then drag the fields to the appropriate areas. Use the Sorting and
Grouping icon on the toolbar to get this window.

SortingAndGrouping

The report builder is not an
easy-to-use end-user application at this point. However, it
definitely provides features you won't find in the current Base
reporting capabilities.

The GoogleDocs Import/Export Feature

This feature lets you easily upload a document to a GoogleDocs
account or download from GoogleDocs. To get the extension, click
here: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/ooo2gd

To use the feature, choose File > GoogleDocs. When you choose
to export, you'll see this window. Just specify the necessary login
information the first time, and the file uploads to your Google
account.

GoogleDocs

EFax

You'll need to pay for this through
eFax, but it's very convenient. Click here to get the extension.
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/efax

You'll get a new eFax menu to help you fax documents. Here's what
the initial activation window looks like. Read more about the program
at http://home.efax.com/.

efax

Anything by OxgenOffice: Templates and Gallery
Clipart

One straightforward way to get more templates is to get the
templates and clip art provided by OxygenOffice. Click here to see
one of the OxygenOffice extensions:
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/oxygenoffice-templates

Once you've installed the extension, the templates show up under
File > Templates > Organize and under File > New >
Templates and Documents.

oxygenoffice

Impress Photo Album

This one lets you create a presentation from a folder of pictures.
Click here to get the extension:
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/PhotoAlbum
You'll get a zip file, so unzip it once it's downloaded.

To create a presentation, choose Tools > Addons > Create
Photo Album.

And Much More

These are just my selections, since they're useful to a broad
group of people. Many of the extensions are very specific, but they
might be exactly what you need. The collection of extensions is
growing quickly, so check them every few months to see what's been
added.

Solveig Haugland has worked as an instructor, course developer, author
and technical writer in the high-tech industry for 17 years, for
employers including Microsoft Great Plains, Sun Microsystems, and BEA.
Solveig is now the owner of GetOpenOffice.org,a StarOffice and OpenOffice.org consulting and training organization providing transition consulting, instructor-led and remote training, and training materials to schools, city and county governments, and private companies. She is also co-author, with Floyd Jones, of three books: Staroffice 5.2 Companion, Staroffice 6.0 Office Suite Companion and OpenOffice.Org 1.0 Resource Kit, published by Prentice Hall PTR. Her fourth book, the OpenOffice.org 2.0 Guidebook, is available from Amazon.com, from Cafepress, and directly from Solveig . For tips on working in OpenOffice.org or StarOffice, visit Solveig's blog: http://openoffice.blogs.com. To contact Solveig about training or consulting, email info@getopenoffice.org, or for more information see her business web site, http://www.getopenoffice.org.