Open-The-File.com

Find how to open any file type

.SXW file extension

To open .SXW files on Windows, install a compatible office suite that can open OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer documents (for example, Apache OpenOffice Writer).

To open a .sxw file, use a word processor that supports OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer documents—most commonly Apache OpenOffice Writer. Avoid renaming the file extension; instead, open it in a compatible app and then save/export to a newer format (like .odt) if needed.

HomeExtension IndexDocuments in indexDocuments category page

Last updated: June 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

What “reviewed” means on this page
  • Format fit: whether the “what is this file?” description matches common real-world use of the extension, including category, typical MIME types, and aliases.
  • Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps; we remove fantasy menus and unsafe shortcuts.
  • Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
  • Sources and further reading: whether external links point to vendors, standards bodies, or other primary references where possible; we avoid inventing details we cannot ground.
  • Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless.

Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .SXW files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .SXW files safely.

Windows

  1. Install a compatible office suite that can open OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer documents (for example, Apache OpenOffice Writer).
  2. Right-click the .sxw file → Open with… → choose the Writer application from the installed suite.
  3. After opening, use File → Save As to convert to a modern format (such as .odt) for easier sharing.
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. If you have a compatible office suite installed that supports OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer documents, open it first.
  2. In the app, use File → Open and select the .sxw file (or Control-click the file → Open With → select the Writer app).
  3. Optionally export or Save As to .odt for better compatibility.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. If your desktop environment supports it, double-click the .sxw file; otherwise use your file manager’s Open With option and select a compatible Writer application.
  2. If it doesn’t open, start the Writer app directly and use File → Open to select the .sxw file.
  3. Save As .odt to avoid future compatibility problems.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. iOS typically does not provide reliable native support for legacy .sxw; transfer the file to a desktop app (for example, Apache OpenOffice Writer) to open and convert it to .odt or another modern format.
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. Android support for legacy .sxw is often limited; if it won’t open in your installed office app, move the file to a desktop Writer application that supports OpenOffice.org 1.x formats and convert it to .odt.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • .sxw is a legacy office document format; open files from untrusted sources cautiously because document parsers can have vulnerabilities, especially with older formats.
  • If a .sxw arrives unexpectedly or from an unknown sender, open it in a trusted, up-to-date office suite and consider converting to a modern format after inspection.
  • Be cautious with any prompts for macros/scripts or external content; if your office suite offers such features, do not enable them unless you trust the document’s origin and purpose.

If you did not expect this file

This extension is usually plain data, text, or structured content—not a program by itself. The practical risk is social engineering (a scam attachment or misleading filename). For trusted senders you rarely need heavy-handed antivirus wording; use these tools when you want an extra check on unexpected downloads.

Avast

Avast offers free and premium antivirus software that protects against viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing. Scan files before opening them to ensure safety.

Norton

Norton 360 delivers comprehensive antivirus protection, VPN, and identity theft monitoring. Scan files for threats before opening to keep your device secure.

We may earn a commission when you use affiliate links. This supports our free file extension guides.

Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .SXW files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • The .sxw file won’t open or shows an “unknown format” error
  • Layout or fonts look different after opening
  • File opens but parts of the document are missing or corrupted

Fix steps

  1. Open the file using a suite known to support OpenOffice.org 1.x text documents (Apache OpenOffice Writer is commonly used for this).
  2. If it opens, immediately Save As to a newer format like .odt to prevent future compatibility issues.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .SXW file?

.sxw is the Writer document extension used by the OpenOffice.org XML file format (legacy OpenOffice.org 1.x). The shared-mime-info database maps *.sxw to the MIME type application/vnd.sun.xml.writer and labels it as an OpenOffice.org 1.0 Writer document. It is an XML-based office document format that predates (and influenced) the OASIS OpenDocument standard.

Background

SXW is best known as the text document format used by StarOffice/OpenOffice.org Writer in the OpenOffice.org 1.x era. On many systems it is recognized as an “OpenOffice.org 1.0 Writer document,” and it is associated with the MIME type application/vnd.sun.xml.writer.

In practical use today, you’ll mainly encounter .sxw files when opening older archives, receiving documents created with older versions of OpenOffice.org/StarOffice, or migrating legacy content into modern document workflows. Apache OpenOffice documentation notes that Writer can open OpenOffice.org 1.x text document formats, including .sxw.

If you need long-term compatibility, a common approach is to open the .sxw in a compatible desktop office suite and then save it into a newer, widely supported format. OpenDocument (e.g., .odt) is a later XML-based standard that is based on OpenOffice.org XML, providing a more modern target for conversion.

Common MIME types: application/vnd.sun.xml.writer

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .SXW format.

Common .SXW issues

The .sxw file won’t open or shows an “unknown format” error

This usually happens when the app you’re using doesn’t support the older OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer format.

  1. Open the file using a suite known to support OpenOffice.org 1.x text documents (Apache OpenOffice Writer is commonly used for this).
  2. If it opens, immediately Save As to a newer format like .odt to prevent future compatibility issues.

Layout or fonts look different after opening

Older documents may rely on fonts or formatting behavior that isn’t available or identical on your current system/application.

  1. Try opening the file in a compatible Writer app and check font substitutions in the document.
  2. If exact appearance matters, export/print to a fixed layout format after opening, or keep the file in a modern editable format after verifying the layout.

File opens but parts of the document are missing or corrupted

The file may be incomplete (bad download/copy) or damaged, and older formats can be less forgiving with corruption.

  1. Re-copy or re-download the .sxw from the original source and try again.
  2. Try opening the file on another machine with a compatible Writer application to rule out a local installation issue.

FAQ

What program opens a .sxw file?

.sxw is an OpenOffice.org 1.x Writer document. Apache OpenOffice Writer (and other suites that explicitly support OpenOffice.org 1.x text documents) are commonly used to open it.

What is the MIME type for .sxw?

application/vnd.sun.xml.writer (as mapped in the freedesktop.org shared-mime-info database and referenced in summaries of OpenOffice.org XML).

Can I convert .sxw to .odt?

Yes. Open the .sxw in a compatible Writer application and use Save As/Export to save it as .odt (OpenDocument Text) for modern compatibility.

Is .sxw the same as OpenDocument (.odt)?

No. .sxw is the older OpenOffice.org XML Writer format used by OpenOffice.org 1.x; OpenDocument (.odt) is a later OASIS standard based on OpenOffice.org XML.

Similar file extensions

Compare related formats in the same category to find the right tool faster.