Novell has promised to support the XML-based OpenDocument file format in its current and future products.

The Linux firm first delivered OpenDocument support in its SuSE Linux distribution in March 2005, but its most recent announcement promises to integrate complete support for the format in the next edition of its enterprise desktop scheduled for this year.

OpenDocument is a standardised XML-based file format specification for office applications.

The open, application-independent format can be implemented within any software program, and covers the features required by text, spreadsheets, charts and graphical documents.

In a thinly veiled reference to Microsoft, Novell pointed out that OpenDocument files can be opened by any OpenDocument-compliant application regardless of language, thereby "freeing users from the shifting product directions of any one vendor".

The firm added that it is working with Google, IBM, Red Hat, Sun Microsystems and others to promote the standard across the open source community and the marketplace.

"True open standards like OpenDocument are subject to public inspection and contribution and are unencumbered by property rights and the individual agendas of specific vendors," said Jack Messman, chairman and chief executive at Novell.

Novell is a member of the Oasis Open Document Format for Office Applications technical committee which manages and publishes the OpenDocument standard.