OpenAnyFile
What is a .sxw file?
StarOffice / OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer is a document format developed by Sun Microsystems, first released in 2000. It is usually created by OpenOffice.org 1.x, StarOffice 6–7.
The direct ancestor of ODT: a ZIP with content.xml. The text is extracted here; LibreOffice still opens it fully.
File details
| Full name | StarOffice / OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer |
|---|---|
| Category | Documents |
| MIME type | application/vnd.sun.xml.writer |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 50 4B 03 04 (ZIP) |
| Developer | Sun Microsystems |
| Introduced | 2000 |
| Opens with | Document text extractor |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .sxw file
OpenAnyFile routes .sxw files to its document text extractor, which shows the full text in reading order.
- Drop your .sxw file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the document text extractor.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: the full text in reading order. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
Original layout and styling. The text is extracted; fonts, positioning and page design are not reproduced.
Is it safe to open a .sxw file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .sxw files
Can I open a .sxw file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .sxw files in your browser using its document text extractor. You get the full text in reading order, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .sxw file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine SXW file begins with 50 4B 03 04 (ZIP). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .sxw file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.