Adding Functionality with Extensions

Getting Started with OpenOffice 4

Chapter 11: Setting up and Customizing Apache OpenOffice

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• Choosing options for all of Apache OpenOffice
• Choosing options for loading and saving documents
• Choosing language settings
• Choosing Internet options
• Controlling AutoCorrect functions
• Customizing Apache OpenOffice
• Adding functionality with extensions

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Adding Functionality with Extensions

An extension is a package that can be installed into OpenOffice to add new functionality.

Although individual extensions can be found in different places, the official extension repository is at https://extensions.openoffice.org/. Some extensions are free of charge; others are available for a fee. Check the descriptions to see what licenses and fees apply to the ones that interest you.

Installing Extensions

To install an extension, follow these steps:

1. Download an extension and save it anywhere on your computer.
2. In AOO, select Tools → Extension Manager} from the menu bar. In the Extension Manager dialog (Figure 287), click  Add . (Your Extension Manager dialog may show no installed extensions or a different set of extensions.)
3. A file browser window opens. Find and select the extension you downloaded and click  Open . The extension begins installing. You may be asked to accept a license agreement.
4. When the installation is complete, the extension is listed in the Extension Manager dialog.

To get extensions that are listed in the repository, you can open the Extension Manager and click the Get more extensions online link.

Figure 287: Using the Extension Manager

To install a shared extension, you need write access to the Apache OpenOffice installation directory.