Definition: Apache OpenOffice

An open-source office suite (business applications) from The Apache Software Foundation that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. OpenOffice supports Microsoft and OpenDocument file formats. Sun acquired StarOffice from Germany-based Star Division and turned it into OpenOffice.

In 2000, Sun gave a version of StarOffice to the OpenOffice community, but after Oracle acquired Sun in 2011, it was turned over to the Apache Foundation. See StarOffice, LibreOffice and OpenDocument.

The OpenOffice Applications

Two of the six OpenOffice applications are unusual for an office suite. A drawing program and mathematical equation editor are two functions most business users never require.