An extension is a package that can be installed into OpenOffice.org to add new functionality.

Although individual extensions can be found in different places, the official OpenOffice.org extension repository is at https://extensions.services.openoffice.org/. Some extensions are free of charge; others are available for a fee. Check the descriptions to see what licenses and fees apply to the ones that interest you.

Installing extensions

To install an extension, follow these steps:

1. Download an extension and save it anywhere on your computer.
2. In OOo, select Tools > Extension Manager from the menu bar. In the Extension Manager dialog, click Add.
3. A file browser window opens. Find and select the extension you want to install and click Open. The extension begins installing. You may be asked to accept a license agreement.
4. When the installation is complete, the extension is listed in the Extension Manager dialog.

To get extensions that are listed in the repository, you can open the Extension Manager and click the Get more extensions here link. You do not need to download them separately as in step 1 above.

Installing an extension

To install a shared extension, you need write access to the OpenOffice.org installation directory.

Using extensions

This section describes several of the more important and popular extensions to OpenOffice.org. In each case, you need to first install the extension as described in the previous section.