OpenOffice.org 1.1 supported only 32,768 rows in spreadsheet documents, which caused Microsoft Excel interoperability issues. The new version now takes OpenOffice.org to the same level as Microsoft Excel
OpenOffice.org now supports CustomShapes, which are very similar to Microsoft's AutoShapes. As a consequence, AutoShapes are imported and displayed correctly. CustomShapes are shapes that can change not only their size but also their appearance.
OpenOffice.org always had database front end tools, but in past versions they were very hidden. OpenOffice.org 2.0 starts to handle databases like any other application, i.e. a new database can be created via the "File - New" menu. For novice users OpenOffice.org provides a new Table Wizard that allows creating database tables without any knowledge of databases or SQL. The new embedded HSQLDB database engine, based on Java technology, allows creating "database documents". These simple database files don't require a back end database server like MySQL or Adabas D. All information (table definitions, data, queries, forms, reports) is stored in one XML file.
With OpenOffice.org 2.0 it is now possible to create tables within tables (nested tables). This increases overall usability, and also improves compatibility with Microsoft Word.