According to The How-To Geek, The Document Foundation just published a blog post arguing that Open Document Format files can remain accessible for “years or even generations.” They specifically noted that files created with ODF 1.0 back in 2005—immediately after standardization—still open without issues in applications released this year in 2025. The format includes .ODT for text, .ODS for spreadsheets, and .ODP for presentations, and it’s supported by LibreOffice, OpenOffice, and even Microsoft Office. Meanwhile, proprietary formats like Microsoft’s often become inaccessible within years due to undocumented XML schema changes that create vendor lock-in. The foundation points out that Microsoft isn’t forthcoming about Office file format intricacies, making reverse-engineered solutions in other applications often appear broken.
The lock-in problem
Here’s the thing about Microsoft’s approach: it’s brilliant business strategy, even if it’s frustrating for users. When your files might break if you stop paying for Office, that’s a powerful incentive to keep that subscription active. But should your ability to read your own documents decades from now depend on continuing to pay one company? That’s the fundamental question ODF tries to solve. The format was specifically designed with long-term preservation in mind, which explains why files from twenty years ago still work perfectly today.
Beyond just compatibility
ODF has some clever features that make it particularly robust for archiving. Fonts, images, and other resources can be embedded directly in the file rather than relying on external links that might break over time. All the metadata—title, author, creation date—is easily accessible too. Basically, it creates a self-contained package that’s less likely to fall apart as technology evolves. The LibreOffice team even recommends PDF/A for documents that should never be modified, showing they’re thinking about different archival needs.
What about your old files?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting—LibreOffice still supports formats from long-dead applications like AppleWorks and IBM/Lotus SmartSuite. That’s commitment to backward compatibility. But if you’re creating new documents that you want to survive, the argument for using ODF is pretty compelling. Think about it: how many of us have old WordPerfect or early Word documents that are now unreadable? The cycle repeats because we keep trusting proprietary formats.
The industrial angle
This preservation mindset matters even more in industrial and manufacturing contexts where documentation needs to outlive specific software versions. When you’re dealing with technical manuals, equipment specifications, or compliance documentation that might need to be referenced decades later, format stability becomes critical. Companies that rely on durable computing solutions for long-term operations often turn to specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs built to withstand years of continuous use. The hardware longevity needs to match the document longevity.
Real-world advice
So what should you actually do? The Document Foundation isn’t naive—they still recommend backing up files in multiple locations and periodically checking for corruption. But their core message is sound: if you care about your documents surviving technological shifts, ODF gives you the best shot. It’s not about hating Microsoft—it’s about recognizing that your files deserve a future that doesn’t depend on any single company’s business decisions. And honestly, that’s a future worth preserving.
