"The results are rather sobering. Whether the conversion from one document type to the other is successful depends on the complexity and functionality of the document as well as the "translatability level" of the tool used. A closed loop where, say, an ODF document is converted to OOXML and then back again is nigh impossible. The problems arise, according to the analysis, from the ambiguities of the standards and the extensions to the document formats, even if they comform to the standards. The success ultimately lies in the instruments used, which the standards often don't cover. The authors recommend developing validators for the purpose. All in all, the basic compatibility between ODF and OOXML remains largely undefined."
Maybe I'm seeing this too simplistically, but the most practical and sustainable solution seems obvious-- get rid of OOXML --ed.
