What Is an OXT File?

OpenOffice extensions are stored as OXT files

What to Know

  • An OXT file is an OpenOffice extension. It adds features to an OpenOffice app, such as Calc or Writer.
  • To install one, go to Tools > Extension Manager > Add.

This article explains what an OXT file is and how to use one on your computer.

What Is an OXT File?

A file with the OXT file extension is an Apache OpenOffice extension. They add features to OpenOffice applications, such as its Writer word processor, Calc spreadsheet program, and Impress presentation software.

You can download OXT files from the Apache OpenOffice Extensions page.

Screenshot of several OXT files in Windows 10
OXT Files.

How to Open an OXT File

OpenOffice can open an OXT file via its built-in Extension Manager tool. For v2.2 and later, you can just double-click or double-tap the OXT file to install it. 

Otherwise, see our How to Install and Use OpenOffice Extensions guide to learn how to manually install OXT files in OpenOffice. In short, you want to go to Tools > Extension Manager > Add.

OpenOffice add Extension screen with OXT file highlighted

The Extension Manager is also how you update, disable, or remove extensions.

OpenOffice can open an OXT file directly, but it also supports loading the extension from a ZIP file. This means you don't necessarily need to extract the file from its archive if that's how it was downloaded. OpenOffice can also open extensions that end with the UNO.PKG file extension.

That said, some OXT files are downloaded within ZIP or other archives because they include more information or other files that you need to do something with. For example, some ZIP files have a PDF "help me" document, fonts, and other relevant data that goes along with the extension.

OXT files should also work with LibreOffice and NeoOffice.

How to Convert an OXT File

It's unlikely that there are any file converters available that can convert an OXT file to a different file format, because it's meant primarily for office suites like OpenOffice. Other programs use their own file formats for extensions (e.g., XPI for Mozilla products).

Still Can't Open It?

The OXT file extension is spelled a lot like some other ones, such as POTX, making it easy to confuse them with each other. This is the primary reason a file won't open with OpenOffice's Extension Manager tool: it's not really a compatible add-on.

If you double-check the file extension of your file and find that it really reads as .ODT instead of .OXT, what you really have is a text document that can only open with word processors.

OTX is another that looks a lot like OXT, but actually belongs to a file format that goes by the name "theWord Encrypted Old Testament Text Module." OTX files store an encrypted copy of the Bible's Old Testament for use with a program called theWord.

If it's not already clear, make sure to check the file extension of your file. If it's not an OXT file, then research the file extension on Lifewire or Google to see if you can find out which programs can open or convert it.

FAQ
  • How do I get extensions for OpenOffice?

    You can get OpenOffice extensions from Apache's website or third-party websites. Alternatively, go to the Extension Manager and select Get More Extensions Online.

  • What are some other alternatives to Microsoft Office?

    There are many free alternatives to Microsoft Office including LibreOffice, WPS Office, SoftMaker, SSuite, and Zoho Docs.

  • Which is better, LibreOffice or OpenOffice?

    LibreOffice is a better free alternative to Microsoft Office because it supports Excel, Word, and PowerPoint files. Otherwise, the differences between LibreOffice or OpenOffice are mostly aesthetic.

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