Definition. In the OfficeAPI conversion matrix, Input means the engine can read a format and Output means it can write it. Reading both flags for the source and the target tells you whether a conversion is documented.
What does Input mean?
OfficeAPI can open the format and read its contents. An input format is converted to the output formats documented for the same office family.
Input-only examples: .doc, .dot, .wps, .odt, .xls, .ods, .ppt, .odp. OfficeAPI reads these but does not write them.
What does Output mean?
OfficeAPI can produce the format. Output-only formats are targets you can convert to but not read from.
Output-only examples: image-only PDF, OFD, bitmap images (JPEG, PNG, BMP), vector images (SVG, TIFF, EMF).
Which formats are both?
.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .csv (Excel), and vector PDF in every family. These 5 formats can be source or target.
How is the matrix organised?
- 3 families: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- 42 rows in total: 15 Word, 16 Excel, 11 PowerPoint.
- 34 input formats and 15 output formats across the three tables.
Conversions happen within a family. PDF and image outputs appear in more than one family because each family can produce them.
How do you read a row?
- Find the family tab or table.
- Locate the extension; the description tells you which variant it is (for example, Word 97–2003 document versus Word document).
- Read Input: Yes means OfficeAPI reads it.
- Read Output: Yes means OfficeAPI writes it.
| Family | Extension | Description | Input | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Word | .docx | Word document | Yes | Yes |
| Word | .doc | Word 97–2003 document | Yes | — |
| Excel | .csv | Comma-separated values | Yes | Yes |
| Word | .ofd | OFD fixed-layout document | — | Yes |
The first row can be read or written; the second can only be read; the third can be both; the fourth can only be written.
Input versus Output at a glance
| Input | Output | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | OfficeAPI reads the format | OfficeAPI writes the format |
| Count in the matrix | 34 formats | 15 formats |
| Typical one-way examples | .doc, .xls, .ppt, .odt |
Image-only PDF, OFD, PNG, SVG |
Frequently asked questions
Can an input-only format be converted to another input-only format?
No. The target must be flagged as Output. For example, .doc (input only) converts to .docx or PDF, not to .odt.
Why does PDF appear twice in a family?
Vector PDF is both input and output; image-only PDF is output only. They are different rows because they behave differently.
Does the matrix change between platforms?
No. The same matrix applies on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS.