Microsoft-backed project releases free document converter

A Microsoft-sponsored open source programming project on Friday released a translation tool that converts files between the company's Office document standard and the competing Open Document format (ODF).

The world's largest software maker launched the Open XML Translator project named for its Office Open XML (OOXML) document standard on SourceForge.net, which bills itself as the world's largest open source software development website.

The open source software movement promotes the public release of core computer code with the aim of letting programmers read, distribute and modify it. Proponents of open source software say that leads to better programs. Mozilla's Firefox web browser is an example of popular open source software.

The translator works with Microsoft's Word program to let users open and save ODF format documents. It works with the Office 2003, XP and 2007 productivity packages.

The Open Document format (ODF) is backed by Microsoft competitors IBM Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc. and Novell Ltd. and designed to work with the free OpenOffice suite of productivity programs.

The translator tool is available as a free download on the SourceForge website.