How to Use an Open Office Database on a Website

Use Open Office's database for a website.

Open Office software provides open source office software for digital word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, graphics, databases and more. The programs download into common computers and store data in an international open standard format. Open Office databases read and write files from other office software packages, making it a popular free alternative for creating and storing information. Website owners who wish to share their databases can easily download the Open Office database into their website's files to offer the database's information , as well as to allow selected users to help keep the database updated.

Instructions

1. Download the Open Office program from its website (see References). Click on "Download Now" from Open Office's homepage, and then click "Save Now" on the window that pops up. Wait for Open Office to download into the computer, then choose the folder to save the file.

2. Open the Open Office file from its folder. Choose "Database." Choose "Create a New Database" and then "Open the Database for Editing." Save the database file in an easily accessible folder on the computer.

3. Choose the desired method for creating the database. Options include creating the database table in a design view, using the Open Office database wizard to create a database and creating the table by specifying the fields available for viewing. Look at the options available before choosing.

4. Specify which type of database to create with Open Office. Options include creating a database for tables, queries, forms or reports.

5. Create the database, inserting the information needed in the proper fields. Save the file periodically to avoid losing work in case of a sudden computer reboot or other unexpected computer glitch.

6. Create a web page on the website for the database. Open up the prepared web page and upload the database file to the web page. Each web builder has a different method for uploading files from a computer's hard disk to the website. Most web builders facilitate a simple process by which the web manager can browse the computer's hard disk to find the file and upload it directly to the website. Upload the Open Office database file from the computer's hard disk to the website.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if the database's URL will only have a specified number of users with passwords, bear in mind that hackers can enter a website's database, often without much trouble. Therefore, don't put any sensitive information (such as Social Security numbers or credit card information) on a database that will go up on a website.

References

• OpenOffice: Open Source Software