OpenOffice Base is the database module released with OpenOffice version 2.0 and later. Currently it is based on the HSQLDB database engine written in Java.

The HSQLDB developers have suggested only 76% of the target has been met in the 1.8.0 release, which is the version that was integrated (merged) with OOo 2.0. They have been asking for contributions to complete all the feature targets, since the inner database engine is an independent project with no outside funding.

OpenOffice Base

OpenOffice users, however, can choose to connect to an external full-featured SQL database such as MySQL, PostgreSQL and even Oracle through ODBC or JDBC drivers. OpenOffice Base can then act as a GUI frontend for SQL views, table design and query. In addition, OpenOffice has its own Form wizard to create dialog windows for form filling and updates.

OpenOffice Base

Starting with version 2.3, Base will offer report generation based on Pentaho software.

OpenOffice Base

Released under the terms of the Apache License, Base is free software.

Related pages

HSQLDB

Kexi - a similar free software/open source application

LibreOffice

OpenOffice

Microsoft Access

Notes and references

Other websites

Base information page

OpenOffice.org Base 2.0 project discussion

OpenOffice.org Database Access Project

HSQL and OpenOffice.org

User resources at OOo Wiki

Tutorials for new and intermediate ooBase users, from Sheepdog Guides

OpenOffice.org