  VOFilter is an XML based filter developed by the Chinese Virtual Observatory
project to transform tabular data files from VOTable format into OpenDocument
format. VOTable is an XML format defined for the exchange of tabular data in
the context of the Virtual Observatory (VO). It is the first Proposed
Recommendation defined by International Virtual Observatory Alliance, and has
obtained wide support from both the VO community and many Astronomy projects.
OpenOffice.org is a mature, open source, front office applications suite with
the advantage of native support of industrial standard OpenDocument XML file
format. Using the VOFilter, VOTable files can be loaded in OpenOffice.org Calc,
a spreadsheet application, and then displayed and analyzed as other spreadsheet
files. Here, the VOFilter acts as a connector, bridging the coming VO with
current industrial office applications. Virtual Observatory and technical
background of the VOFilter are introduced. Its workflow, installation and usage
are presented. Existing problems and limitations are also discussed together
with the future development plans.

Astrophysics