- Microsoft’s XML formatting makes some files ‘unreadable’ and others unreadable, LibreOffice claims
- It says users need formats like ODF that are open and not managed by a single vendor
- Sovereignty is about choice, not about blocking certain companies
The Document Foundation, which is responsible for the LibreOffice software suite, has argued that Microsoft’s Office file formats create unnecessary vendor lock-in by making it more difficult for users and employees to switch between vendors.
The organization’s blog post specifically describes XML-based formats such as DOCX and XLSX, which were introduced in 2007 as successors to the more open DOC and XLS formats.
Post author Italo Vignoli argued that these formats act as more or less proprietary formats in practical terms, because files opened by other programs, such as LibreOffice, do not behave the same and may have formatting problems.
Microsoft pays attention to its XML document formatting
The Document Foundation claims that while Microsoft has sidestepped potential lock-in charges by allowing other software to gain full access to XML documents, their functionality can be drastically reduced. Fonts, bullet points, headings, tables, and other formatting may be prone to change depending on the tools used, leading to inaccessible and inconsistent documents.
Vignoli described the problem as “a silent and persistent friction that makes any work outside of the Microsoft ecosystem seem a little unreliable, a little unprofessional,” rather than any kind of technical barrier.
He noted that while the result for consumers could be a mere “inconvenience,” it could create major problems for law firms and hospitals looking to step away from Microsoft.
The post also warns that evolving document formats can lead to problems later on. With only a handful of companies correctly implementing certain formats and those formats being retired, some documents may be unreadable in a decade or two – a major compliance and regulatory issue.
As demands for digital sovereignty unfold globally, with many European companies and agencies looking to adopt more local or open source alternatives, Vignoli highlighted the role open standards such as Open Document Format (ODF) can play.
ODF’s “specifications are published, freely implementable, and administered by a body independent of any single vendor.”
Vignoli’s conclusion is that digital sovereignty is not about being anti-Microsoft or pro-LibreOffice. It’s about giving companies and consumers the choice and free will to use the software they prefer, without unnecessary obstacles and barriers holding them back.
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