Created On:  17 August 2010

Problem:

OpenOffice is a popular alternative to Microsoft Office. Is it is possible to automate OpenOffice applications from COBOL ?

Resolution:

OpenOffice has a programming interface for control called UNO. Also available is a UNO COM automation bridge that allows client applications that support COM Automation (IDispatch) to access openoffice applications.

Net Express COBOL supports COM Automation and can therefore be used to control OpenOffice.

Attached is a working example of this.  This demo has been tested with OpenOffice V3.2.1.