Structure of the standard

OpenXML defines formats for word-processing, presentation, and spreadsheet documents. Each type of document is specified through a primary markup language: WordprocessingML, PresentationML, or SpreadsheetML. Embedding mechanisms permit a document of any one of these three types to contain material in the other primary markup languages and in a number of supporting markup languages.

The Specification contains both normative material (material that defines OpenXML) and informative material (material that aids thereader’sunderstandingbutis not prescriptive). It is structured in Parts to meet the needs of varying audiences.

Part 1 –Fundamentals 165 pages

Part 2 –Open Packaging Conventions 125 pages

  • Defines vocabulary, notational conventions, and abbreviations.

  • Summarizes the three primary markup languages and the supporting markup languages.

  • Establishes conditions for conformance and provides interoperability guidelines.

  • Describes the constraints within the Open Packaging Conventions that apply to each document type.

  • Defines the Open Packaging Conventions (OPC). Every OpenXML file comprises a collection of byte streams called parts, combined into a container called a package. The packaging format is defined by the OPC.

    • Describes a recommended physical implementation of the OPC that uses the Zip file format.

    • Declares the XML schemas for the OPC as XML Schema Definitions (XSD) (2), in an annex that is issued only in electronic form. The annex also includes non-normative representations of the schemas using RELAX NG (ISO/IEC 19757-2) (3).

Part 3 –Primer

  • Introduces the features of each markup language, providing context and illustrating elements 466 pages through examples and diagrams. This Part is informative (non-normative).

  • Describes the facility for storing custom XML data within a package to support integration with business data.

Part 4 –Markup

  • Defines every element and attribute, the hierarchy of parent/child relationships for elements, Language Reference and additional semantics as appropriate. This Part is intended for use as a reference whenever 5756 pages complete detail about an element or attribute is required.

  • Defines the facility for storing custom XML data.

  • Declares the XML schemas for the markup languages as XSD (2), in an annex that is issued only in electronic form. The annex also expresses them non-normatively using RELAX NG (ISO/IEC 19757-2) (3).

Part 5 –Markup Compatibility and Extensibility 34 Pages

  • Describes facilities for extension of OpenXML documents.

  • Specifies elements and attributes by which applications with different extensions can interoperate.

  • Expresses extensibility rules using NVDL (ISO/IEC 19757-4) (4).

In order to ease reading and navigation through these documents, the electronic versions have many internal active links. In particular, Part 4 has links to parent and child elements throughout.