Thanks for the reply. It is really appreciated. I think I'll limp along and try to incorporate as much functionality into the two sheets as I can and wait to see what the next great thing from MS will do. By investing my time in the existing files, I'll make decent progress. Time is limited and I don't want to risk a false start with another application.
I use NeoOffice... and although I don't use Spreadsheets,
the NeoOffice Help files describes in detail the conversion
of documents from Word, Excel or Powerpoint into OpenDocument
file formats. Sounds pretty simple to me, (and NeoOffice
is/was a free download.. although I believe they now want
contributions)
While MS Office has its place, NeoOffice has most all of
the capabilities of MS Office.