SDA File Extension
StarOffice Drawing
- File Type sda
- Developer Oracle
- Popularity
- Application StarOffice
- Category Vector Image Files
- Format Binary
What is a SDA file?
StarOffice Drawing, identified by the SDA extension, is a Vector Image Files type and includes 120 files.
With the creation of the StarOffice Drawing (SDA), Oracle introduced file format along with 36 programs built for their use.
SDA files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. You can open a SDA file using one of 6 programs, for example OpenOffice Draw, StarOffice and NeoOffice.
Programs that support SDA files
How to open a SDA file?
The most common reason why a SDA file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.
The most popular programs for working with SDA files are OpenOffice Draw, StarOffice and NeoOffice. To get the latest version of StarOffice, open the Oracle website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.
Once setup is done, your operating system should assign StarOffice as the default app for SDA files.
Make StarOffice the default SDA viewer
Changing the default program in Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your SDA file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
- Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose StarOffice as the application to associate with your SDA file;
- Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".
Change the default app to open files on Mac
- Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired SDA file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
- In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to StarOffice. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.
Convert to and from SDA
If a SDA file is difficult to handle, you might try converting it to formats such as JPG, PDF, ODF, ODG or similar, which may be easier to work with.
Please note that after converting a SDA file, some functionality may differ from the original. However, in many cases, it can be converted back to its original format.
Convert SDA to other file formats
Converting Files to SDA Format
Finding answers to SDA file problems
If you encounter issues with SDA files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.
What are the signs that my SDA file is damaged?
Corrupted SDA vector image files may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Poor performance when editing a file in OpenOffice Draw;
- Opening or processing the file in StarOffice or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
- The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
- Unexpected expansion of the total size of the SDA file;
- Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;
Why does StarOffice quit or crash unexpectedly?
StarOffice crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Oracle products.
A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.
What methods can be used to repair a damaged SDA file?
Use a recovery program to open the damaged SDA file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged vector image files.
How to edit a SDA file?
To edit SDA files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify vector image files. Online SDA editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for StarOffice Drawing.
List of Top SDA editors 2026
Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended SDA editors.
| SDA Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| StarOffice | Oracle | Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (36 reviews) |
| OpenOffice Draw | OpenOffice | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.4 out of 5 (40 reviews) |
| LibreOffice Draw | TDF | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.2 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| NeoOffice | Planamesa | Mac OS | 4.2 out of 5 (40 reviews) |