What is a .FODS file?
The file extension .FODS stands for OpenDocument Flat XML Spreadsheet. This type of file is similar to the more common .ODS spreadsheet file, but there's a key difference. While both types are used for spreadsheets and can store data like numbers, formulas, and text in a structured way, the .FODS file is saved in a special format known as flat XML. Unlike the .ODS files, which are packed into a .ZIP container making the data less directly accessible, the .FODS format stores all its information in XML format. This makes the data inside a .FODS file easier to read and understand by humans without needing to unpack it first.
Because the information is stored in plain XML, it's also simpler to create or modify these files automatically with programming tools, without the need for a specific spreadsheet editing software. This can be particularly useful for tasks that require generating spreadsheet data programmatically.
To open a .FODS file, you can use spreadsheet programs that support the OpenDocument format. The most common programs that can handle this type of file include: - OpenOffice Calc: A free and open-source office suite that includes various applications, with Calc being the spreadsheet component. It's capable of opening and editing .FODS files. - LibreOffice: Similar to OpenOffice, LibreOffice is another free and open-source office suite with a spreadsheet program called LibreOffice Calc. It also supports .FODS files, allowing you to open, edit, and save spreadsheets in this format.
Both of these programs are available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making them accessible to a wide range of users. Since the list mentions OpenOffice Calc and LibreOffice multiple times, it's important to note that these are the primary options available for working with .FODS files.
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