This is a great guide to some things that don’t translate well when you save into the Microsoft .doc format from OpenOffice.org Writer. Some highlights:

Mail merge prints field names, not content. If you save your mail merge document in Word format, then print, all you’ll get is the names of the fields, like Firstname, rather than the data, like Bob.

Background graphics disappear. If you choose to put a graphic in the background of a header footer or page, under Format > Page, the graphics will disappear when you save in Word format.

Custom frame, page, and list styles get screwed up This one is an issue because page styles are the basis for doing so much really good, powerful stuff.

The author suggests exporting to PDF in these situation to perfectly preserve your work.

Make sure to view the full story for more details.

Full Story: Things that don’t work when you save Writer documents in Word’s .doc format

Filed under: OpenOffice.Org