OpenOffice 2.0 -- the free, open source office suite -- has many features that are very similar to Microsoft Office. The trick is knowing how to use them. In this Q&A, expert Solveig Haugland explains how to use such OpenOffice features as the Draw tool, tabbed headers and footers. She also describes custom creation of colors, file sharing tips and how Microsoft Office documents are completely compatible with OpenOffice.

Microsoft Office has the 'more colors' option. How can I add more colors to the OpenOffice palette?

Solveig Haugland: You can create any color you want, in OpenOffice.org. Choose Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > Colors. Then click 'Edit' and in the window that appears. Double-click in the left hand square of colors, then refine it in the right side. You can also just type in the RGB or CMYK values you want. Click OK, then click Add and name the color what you want. The color will show up in all color selection lists in OpenOffice.org.

How does OpenOffice flag or eliminate extra spacing?

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