So why not use Calc, as it has the advantage of being able to specify the ’squares’ quite easily, as row height and width is set using measures (cm or inches), rather than column width being set as a measure, and column [...]]]> PC Mag suggests that we can Use Excel as an Architectural Design Tool.

So why not use Calc, as it has the advantage of being able to specify the ’squares’ quite easily, as row height and width is set using measures (cm or inches), rather than column width being set as a measure, and column height being set using font height.

We are rennovating at the moment, so this struck a chord with me, so I decided to put together some templates for you to download – a small grid (5mm), and a larger grid (10mm).

Happy designing!

• 5mm x 5mm OpenOffice Calc Grid Paper
• 10mm x 10mm OpenOffice Calc Grid Paper

Setting Row Height in OpenOffice Calc

Download OpenOffice

There are few reasons that I can think of that a personal user, or SOHO user, [...]]]> Still free, and still with easy to use features, and with my favourite native port-to-PDF capability, OpenOffice is still an amazing Office application, and my application of choice for word processing, spreadsheet and presentation functionality. All FREE!

Download OpenOffice

There are few reasons that I can think of that a personal user, or SOHO user, would want to buy Microsoft Office, especially considering the full features that are offered in the OpenOffice suite. I have used it in both Linux and Windows and have found it to be robust, and have had little cause to miss or pine after MS Office.

Bravo to the OpenOffice team!

It’s not strictly a template (it is in ODS format), however I hope that you find it useful.

All the holidays are based on the Ministry of Manpower published holidays for 2009.

Download the OpenOffice Calc Calendar Template (Singapore 2009)

1. Highlight the area from which you wish to copy the format from.

2. Click on the format painter icon in the toolbar.

3. When the mouse [...]]]> Yes there is and it can be applied in most of the OpenOffice applications. I am demonstrating it in Writer below, however the same steps are applied to cells in Calc.

1. Highlight the area from which you wish to copy the format from.

2. Click on the format painter icon in the toolbar.

3. When the mouse looks like a paint bucket, highlight the text to which you want to apply the format.

4. Let the mouse button go and the format will be applied to that section of text.

OpenOffice has been ported to a number of different platforms, including:

I have a number of clients and friends who have expressed frustration with Microsoft’’s products. Not because they are bad, or inferior, but mainly because they are costly. I serve a number of SMEs – and they are mostly S’’s (smalls). I know there [...]]]> Well this site must start with one post, so here it is.

I have a number of clients and friends who have expressed frustration with Microsoft’’s products. Not because they are bad, or inferior, but mainly because they are costly. I serve a number of SMEs – and they are mostly S’’s (smalls). I know there has been press and a lot of effort gone into by Microsoft to argue about total cost of ownership and such, however the bottom line is that often small organisations do not have the financial resources to purchase the software licences required.

Rather than encourage piracy, I am offering a support mechanism whereby people can ask me questions, or post problems that they are having in converting from MS Office to Open Office, or even in using Open Office as their first office productivity suite.

This site is small because it is brand new – but it will build up over time, and with questions and answers it will hopefully be a comprehensive resources for Open Office users.