Microsoft has announced that it will use Extensible
Markup Language (XML) technology for default file formats in the
next version of its Office package.
Office Open XML Formats will be the defaults for the Office 12
versions of Word, Powerpoint and Exel, due to be released in the
second half of next year.
The new formats would increase data interoperability, improve
security and enhance data recovery, the company said. File sizes
would also be reduced sharply, cutting back on storage
requirements.
Microsoft claimed the XML formats would also boost the market
opportunities of technology providers and developers. The fully
documented file formats with open, royalty free licences would
allow developers to integrate them into servers, applications and
business processes, without payment to Microsoft.
Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of Office at Microsoft,
said: “Customers have asked us for improved file and data
management, improved interoperability and open, royalty-free,
published file format specifications – without sacrificing backward
compatibility.
“We're confident that by adopting XML-based default file formats
we are delivering the tools that will help IT professionals address
these challenges, while enabling developers to integrate Office
even further into their customised solutions.”
Microsoft said its research showed that more than a million
developers were currently working on Office 2003-based solutions,
with more than a third using XML.