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How to open .SDC files on Linux

To open .SDC files on Linux, open the file with Apache OpenOffice Calc from your desktop environment (or use your file manager’s “Open With”). If it opens, save to ODS.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the file with Apache OpenOffice Calc from your desktop environment (or use your file manager’s “Open With”). If it opens, save to ODS.
  2. If Calc fails to open it, verify the file type (your file manager’s Properties or a terminal file-identification command). If it appears to be a cabinet/container, use an extraction tool suitable for cabinet-like files rather than a spreadsheet app.

Common issues

The .SDC file won’t open in a spreadsheet app

Because .SDC is used by multiple formats, the file may not be a StarOffice/OpenOffice spreadsheet (it could be a Secure Download Cabinet file), or the spreadsheet may be corrupted.

  1. Try opening it with Apache OpenOffice Calc; if it fails, do not assume the file is a spreadsheet.
  2. Check the file type using your OS file properties or a file-identification tool; then use an extraction/cabinet tool if it’s a cabinet-like file.

File opens but looks garbled or loses formatting

Legacy StarOffice/OpenOffice formats can convert imperfectly in newer software, and some content/features may not map cleanly.

  1. Open in Apache OpenOffice Calc (closest known support) and then save/export to ODS.
  2. If you must use another suite, compare results after conversion and keep an original backup for reference.

Linux desktop shows the wrong app for .SDC

MIME detection is often based on filename globs; since .SDC is ambiguous, your system may associate it with the wrong handler.

  1. Use “Open With” to choose Apache OpenOffice Calc for spreadsheets (MIME commonly: application/vnd.stardivision.calc).
  2. If it is not a spreadsheet, change the association back and use a cabinet/extraction tool instead.

“File is corrupted” or “invalid format” errors

The file may be incomplete, damaged, or not actually an .SDC of the expected type.

  1. Re-download or re-copy the file to ensure it is complete, then try again.
  2. Confirm the file’s origin and intended application (spreadsheet vs cabinet) and open it with the correct software category.

Security note

Treat unknown .SDC files cautiously because the extension is ambiguous: a file that looks like a spreadsheet may actually be a cabinet/container used for software distribution.

Back to .SDC extension page