open office

clueless1

I have downloaded open office as a alternative to purchasing microsoft word as recommended on mse.
However, when I try to upload my cv, I am told that my file is not compatible. I have tried to save my document as an .doc file and I have tried other file types but they either destroy my formatting or it is not readable.
Is it possibe to change my file type without it changing the formatting or will I have to purchase microsoft word in order to upload/email etc?
Any help apprieciated.

bat999

Hi
When you save your doc with Open Office word processor, do this:-
Save as...
Then choose the option that says:-
Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP (.doc)

clueless1

I have tried saving it as above. However, when I try to open the new file, all I see is random symbols. Is this because I dont have the microsoft word program but if I send it to someone who does have the program, they should be able to read it?
I dont feel confident sending out a file of random symbols as my cv, especially if I cant check to see if my formatting had stayed the same.
What am I doing wrong?

debitcardmayhem

clueless1 wrote: »

I have tried saving it as above. However, when I try to open the new file, all I see is random symbols. Is this because I dont have the microsoft word program but if I send it to someone who does have the program, they should be able to read it?
I dont feel confident sending out a file of random symbols as my cv, especially if I cant check to see if my formatting had stayed the same.
What am I doing wrong?

It sounds like you have used Microsoft before on the PC and the file types are still set for MS. Right click on the file in explorer and select open with, change it to open with Open Office Write, and select use this program as the default. (same will go for .xls set it to calc etc).

WhiteChristmas

You shouldn't be sending out the Word file anyway; how it appears on someone else's screen is determined by their settings.

To guarantee they see what you want them to, you want to generate a PDF version of your file. Open Office and the newer versions of Word will do this for you. If you're using an older version of Word (pre-2007) then you'll need to use a PDF Printer like Doro (it's just a little bit of software (free) which you install like a printer then "print" your CV to a file instead of paper).

clueless1

Thank you for all your advice but how do I send my cv as a pdf file on open office? I dont have word.

lucylucky

Save as "pdf" option in OO

DVardysShadow

lucylucky wrote: »

Save as "pdf" option in OO

Export as pdf

The subtlety is that any file you export rather than is not reopenable in that application.

DVardysShadow

clueless1 wrote: »

Ok, sorry if I am still not getting it but I have a drop down list in 'save as' but pdf is not listed?

Do not open the 'save as' dialog. The Export as pdf option is on the file menu

clueless1

Thank you. Sorry, I just seen your post. You're quicker at typing than I am

patman99

Try LibreOffice, this is the new branch of OOo, created after all bar one of the OOo programming team upped and left, taking with them the code for v. 3.6 after they had a falling-out with Oracle over it's plans to make OOo less 'open source'.
The 3.6 code is more compatible with M$ Office than previous versions.