OpenOffice Base is the integrated database application in the free, opensource OpenOffice 3.0 suite, a cross-platform application system that is available for users running Windows, Mac, Linux and other operating systems. Base is similar to Microsoft's Access; its layout and tools are comparable and the program can open some types of Access tables.
Creating a Database

Double-click the OpenOffice icon on your desktop and choose OpenOffice Base or access the program through the Start menu, Start > All Programs > OpenOffice > OpenOffice Base. This will open the Database Wizard.

OpenOffice Database Wizard

The wizard will give will next give you the option to register the database with OpenOffice.
Registering the database

Registering the database allows you to access the database when you are using other OpenOffice applications. For instance, if you wish to access the database information while working in a Writer document, you can press the F4 key and open the database from the drop down menu. The database will open in a split screen over the document with a hierarchal information tree on the left.
Example of split screen

Choose whether or not you wish to register the database for future use and click “Next.”

Choose the option to open the database for editing after it is created. Click “Finish.” A dialog box will open, title the database and chose a destination for the file. Click “Save.”

Choose the type of database object that you wish to create. The options are located in the left-hand