Loading, Please Wait...
Uniform Office Format (UOF) is an open standard developed in China for office productivity applications. It was introduced to promote interoperability and reduce reliance on proprietary formats in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. UOF is designed to support the needs of Chinese users and institutions, aligning with national standards and local software ecosystems. The format is structured using XML and compressed containers, similar to other open document standards such as OpenDocument Format (ODF) and Office Open XML (OOXML).
The UOF specification includes three primary modules: word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation. Each module corresponds to a specific file extension. Text documents use the UOT extension, spreadsheets use UOS, and presentation files use UOP. These formats are intended to be platform-independent and compatible with various office suites, including OpenOffice.org and WPS Office. UOF files encapsulate content, formatting, and metadata in a structured XML schema, enabling consistent rendering and data exchange across compliant applications.
UOF has undergone multiple revisions, with version 2.0 released in 2011 to enhance functionality and improve compatibility. Although its adoption remains regionally focused, UOF plays a strategic role in China's digital sovereignty and standardization efforts. For IT professionals, understanding UOF is essential when working with localized software environments or developing solutions that require support for non-Western document standards. Its modular architecture and XML-based design make it suitable for integration into modern document workflows and conversion tools.