Office 12 - six benefits of the new open XML format

The next version of Microsoft Office will use an XML-based file format as the default format for saving Office documents.

The new file format will save pieces of a document, such as Word document or PowerPoint presentation in several XML files, which are then organised into a single ZIP-compressed package file.

Why is this such a good thing? Here are six likely advantages: 

1. Smaller file sizes - the use of the popular ZIP compression technologies to store documents should reduce their size making them easier to store and transport over email, web etc.
2. Better recovery - because of the number of data recovery technologies already targetting the ZIP format, corrupted files should be easier to recover.
3. Easier to check for malware - the new format should be easier to scan for viruses and other security hazards.
4. Better re-use - an open, documented XML schema will be easier to convert to other formats, such as compliant XHTML for access via a web browser.
5. Machine-readable business documents - the new format will make it easier to develop templates that effectively allow users to create XML documents using familiar tools like Word. These documents may be invoices, order forms etc., which can be read by business applications as well as being human-readable.
6. Improved searchability - the open standards will make it easier for search engine vendors to create effective search technologies to help your business manage and retrieve documents.

Office 12 will continue to support the old Office file formats and over time there are likely to be patches to allow earlier versions of Office to work with the new format.

Links:

A viewpoint from CMS Watch

InfoWorld article (includes explanation of file format from MS's senior XML architect Jean Paoli)