LibreOffice is not included by default in elementary OS unlike in other distros. But because you will need it, and many Windows users switching will also need it, I write this tutorial to install and to use it. LibreOffice is free (as in freedom) software, it fulfills rights of all users and community, so it's better than MSO or WPS/Kingsoft and that's why most GNU/Linux distros include it by default and I present it to you here. Enjoy!
Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates directly.
Summary
- About LibreOffice
- Several Methods to Install
- Installation (Standard Method)
- Installation (Alternative Methods)
- User Guide
About LibreOffice
LibreOffice, formerly OpenOffice.org, is the most successful free software office suite that supports OpenDocument Format (ODF) and Microsoft Format (OOXML) among other digital document formats. LibreOffice comprises of 6 programs: Writer word processor, Calc spreadsheet, Impress presentation, Math equation editor, Draw chart & vector editor, and Base database manager. Visit the official website at https://www.libreoffice.org.
Several Ways to Install
On MS Windows, you have one way to install LibreOffice, that is to download the EXE from internet and double-click it. But on elementary OS, there are several ways to install LibreOffice you may choose one you like the most:
- normal method (APT command | standard, clear & easy, worldwide community supports it)
- AppCenter method (GUI | easy, but complicated)
- portable method (AppImage | easy, quickest, similar to Windows' way)
- Flatpak method (Flatpak command | not easy, big size)
Installation
Open your Terminal and type this command:
$ sudo apt-get install libreoffice
Then find LibreOffice Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math on your menu.
Note:
- You can do this installation even in LiveCD session.
- This method is standard: Ubuntu, Debian, Mint users all can help you if you encounter some errors.
Alternative Methods
(1) AppCenter method:
- Run AppCenter.
- Search for name "libreoffice".
- Click Install button.
- You will see progress bar moving while installing, but without download speed. Keep it up.
- Installation finished.
- Find LibreOffice on your menu.
(2) Portable method:
- Download LibreOffice AppImage version.
- You get a file named LibreOffice-[version]-[architecture].appimage.
- Right-click that file > Properties > Permissions > give check mark "Executable" > OK.
- Double-click that file.
- LibreOffice runs.
- Repeat steps above to run it next time.
(3) Flatpak method:
- Make sure your elementary OS has been installed & you don't run this on LiveCD.
- Run command line:
$ flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
- Restart your computer.
- Run command line:
$ flatpak install org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
- It needs to download huge size of files (>500MB) so wait patiently.
- LibreOffice installed with Flatpak way.
- Run it by command line:
$ flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
Note: Flatpak method is mentioned here because starting from version 5.1, elementary OS includes Flatpak support by default.
User Guide
I have written articles about using LibreOffice Writer you can read:
- Running LibreOffice
- Understanding the User Interface
- Ribbon UI on LibreOffice
- Create, Save, Open
- Basic Text Writing
- Creating Table of Contents
- Creating Table of Pictures
- Inserting Pictures
- Inserting Tables
- Merging Documents
- Writing Arabic
- Macro, Macro Example
- Lorem Ipsum
- Zotero + LibreOffice Bibliography
- LibreOffice AppImage/Flatpak/Snap Comparison
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.