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Read/write Microsoft formats

 
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How do I make a program that can read and write from and to M$ formats, such as .doc?
I am thinking of starting a project that has basic functionality, mainly to learn more about Java, but it may become user acceptable later on. I want to do this in pure Java with no additional APIs except Java. How do I get started, what do I need to learn, etc? I just want to know how to read and write properly to .doc formats. Some examples of this (non-Java) are OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Microsoft Suite (Office and Works), and more. I am not looking about how to implement it (I don't want to know GUI code, just how to interpret and write to .doc files), but to use it.
Thanks,
cc11rocks aka John Price

[subject changed]
 
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You've got an enormous task ahead of you. The Apache POI project does this, and it has taken lots of people the better part of a decade to get where it is today (which is still not perfect). See Why are the Microsoft Office file formats so complicated? (And some workarounds) to get an idea of the complexities that lie ahead.

If you still want to work on it, start with the binary Office file formats specs. The newer XML format specs should be available from the ECMA standards body.
 
john price
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Oh my gosh! I think I will just stick with Apache POI. I read the article. WAY OVER MY HEAD! Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks,
cc11rocks aka John Price
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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