Denmark Gives Up on Microsoft Office Alternative Following Compatibility Issues

Denmark has reportedly abandoned a pilot project to replace Microsoft Office with the open-source alternative Collabora, marking a setback for the country’s efforts to reduce its dependence on Microsoft software.

According to ComputerWorld.dk, the Danish government ended the experiment following elections earlier in 2026, without completing a formal evaluation.

Denmark Ends Its Open-Source Office Pilot

In 2025, Denmark announced plans to reduce its reliance on Microsoft products, including Windows and Office, as part of a broader push toward digital independence.

The government launched a pilot involving 38 employees who tested Collabora as an alternative to Microsoft Office, including its ability to handle existing Office documents.

However, officials terminated the experiment following elections in 2026 and confirmed that they would not restart it.

The project ended without a formal performance or compatibility assessment, leaving the government without definitive conclusions about Collabora’s suitability as a Microsoft Office replacement.

Microsoft Office Compatibility Problems Reportedly Affected Testing

During the trial, employees reportedly encountered compatibility issues when exchanging documents between Collabora and Microsoft Office.

Some documents displayed blank pages or formatting errors when users opened them in the other office suite.

These problems reflect broader concerns about compatibility between Microsoft Office and open-source alternatives.

A LibreOffice developer previously criticized Microsoft’s OOXML format and questioned Microsoft’s influence over its approval process.

LibreOffice developers have also reported chart compatibility problems when working with Microsoft Office documents.

However, because Denmark never completed a formal evaluation, it remains unclear whether these technical problems contributed to the decision to cancel the pilot.

European Governments Continue Exploring Microsoft Alternatives

Despite Denmark’s decision, other European governments continue examining ways to reduce their dependence on Microsoft products and services.

The Dutch Tax Authority is moving Microsoft 365 data to its own servers to gain greater control over its infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a UK regulator has raised concerns about Microsoft’s dominance in business software, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the company’s position in enterprise technology.

Denmark’s canceled experiment leaves unanswered questions about Collabora’s ability to replace Microsoft Office in government environments, particularly when organizations need to exchange documents across different office suites.

Via Neowin