Where Is the Apache OpenOffice User Profile?
OpenOffice keeps extensions, templates, and settings in a versioned user profile under AppData and home folders.
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OpenOffice stores personal data in a user profile folder named for the major version, separate from the program install. Extensions, custom templates, autocorrect entries, and every preference live there. Reinstalling the program leaves it alone.
That separation makes the standard fix for a sick install: rename the profile folder with OpenOffice closed and relaunch. A clean profile appears. Copy extensions and templates subfolders from the old one to keep the good parts without carrying the corruption.
Where Apache OpenOffice stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\OpenOffice\4\user
Extensions, templates, wordbook, and registrymodifications.xcu with all preferences. Rename the user folder with OpenOffice closed to reset. Copy back extensions and template folders selectively afterwards.
~/.openoffice/
Same profile layout as Windows. Respects the XDG home when set. A clean profile test here diagnoses most startup crashes before touching the install.
~/Library/Application Support/OpenOffice/4/user
Same layout. Reach it with Go to Folder in Finder since Library hides by default. Migrate machines by copying the user folder across with matching major versions.
Frequently asked questions
OpenOffice crashes on startup. How do I fix it?
Quit fully, rename the user profile folder above, and relaunch. A fresh profile fixes most cases since corruption almost always lives in settings or extensions, not the program. Reinstall extensions one by one to find the bad one.
Where does OpenOffice store custom templates?
In the template subfolder of the user profile above. Add files there or save through the template manager. Copy that subfolder to migrate templates without carrying old preferences.
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