How to Convert DOCX to ODT Using Python

Converting Microsoft Word documents (.docx) to OpenDocument Text (.odt) format is a common requirement, especially when working with cross-platform applications. Python makes this task simple with the right libraries. In this guide, we'll use python-docx and odfpy, two widely used modules, to achieve the conversion efficiently.

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Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have Python installed on your system. You'll also need to install the following libraries:

• python-docx – For reading DOCX files.
• odfpy – For creating and writing ODT files.

Install them using pip:

pip install python-docx odfpy

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Step-by-Step Conversion Process

1. Reading the DOCX File

First, we'll use python-docx to extract text and basic formatting from the DOCX file.

from docx import Document

def read_docx(file_path):
    doc = Document(file_path)
    text = []
    for paragraph in doc.paragraphs:
        text.append(paragraph.text)
    return "\n".join(text)

2. Writing to an ODT File

Next, we'll use odfpy to create an ODT file and write the extracted content.

from odf.opendocument import OpenDocumentText
from odf.text import P

def write_odt(content, output_path):
    doc = OpenDocumentText()
    for line in content.split("\n"):
        p = P(text=line)
        doc.text.addElement(p)
    doc.save(output_path)

3. Combining Both Steps

Now, let's combine these functions to convert a DOCX file to ODT.

def convert_docx_to_odt(docx_path, odt_path):
    content = read_docx(docx_path)
    write_odt(content, odt_path)
    print(f"Successfully converted {docx_path} to {odt_path}")

Example usage:

convert_docx_to_odt("input.docx", "output.odt")

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Handling Advanced Formatting

If your DOCX file contains tables, images, or complex styling, additional processing is needed. Libraries like pandoc (via command-line integration) or pywin32 (for Windows users with Microsoft Word installed) can help with advanced conversions.

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Summary: This guide explains how to convert DOCX to ODT using Python with python-docx and odfpy. It covers basic text extraction and writing, with notes on handling advanced formatting.

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