Open XML is now an ISO Standard

The official press-release came out of the ISO offices on April 2nd and Open XML (OOXML) is now an ISO Standard with the official designation IS 29500.

Microsoft issued a press release today, and states that 86% of all voting bodies and 75% of P-members approved the standard - both measures being above the needed thresholds of 75% and 66.7% respectively.

See also the following blog and media reactions today:

• Brian Jones: "The end of the file formats war"
• Jason Matusow: "Open XML is and international standard"
• Peter O'Kelly: "Ecma Office Open XML Document Format appears to win Approval as an ISO Standard"
• Computerworld: "Unofficial vote tallies show Open XML being ratified"
• CNet: "Unofficial document: Open XML passes ISO vote"
• ZDNet: "Microsoft wasting no time rejoicing in its OOXML win"

There is also an interesting story floating around that Norway allegedly seeks to reverse its Open XML vote to No - but that seems to be irrelevant given the high margins that the tallied outcome has over the minimum requirements for approval as a standard.

To get an early start working with Open XML (IS 29500), check out Altova's support for Open XML in our XMLSpy XML Editor.

You are also invited to read all previous articles on Open XML on this XML Aficionado blog - especially my January 30 tutorial post on Content reuse with Open XML and XSLT.