Getting to know LibreOffice
What is LibreOffice?
LibreOffice is an open-source office suite that is comparable to Microsoft Office and other office software. It includes a variety of tools including a document editor, a presentation creator, a spreadsheet tool, and more. It comes pre-installed on many Linux-based operating systems (Like Linux Mint), but is also available to download for free for Windows and MacOS users.
Writer
LibreOffice Writer is an open-source alternative to Microsoft Office Word. It focuses on giving the user (that's you!) the ability to create functional documents like essays, resumes, recipe books, and more - all for free!
Impress
LibreOffice Impress is an open-source alternative to Microsoft Office PowerPoint. This is an insanely helpful tool when you need to give a presentation for school or work. Just like all of LibreOffice - it is completely free!
Calc
LibreOffice Calc is an open-source alternative to Microsoft Office Excel. Creating budgets, balancing checkbooks, and analyzing data are all well within reach of Calc. And best of all? It's completely free!
Intro to LibreOffice Writer
This video gives a brief overview of LibreOffice Writer, one of the many open-source alternatives to Microsoft Office Word. This is a great tool that comes pre-installed with Linux Mint and does not require any subscriptions, accounts, or internet access. Wherever your Linux Mint computer is, LibreOffice is right there with you!
Converting LibreOffice Files to Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
For help on using LibreOffice, we recommend checking the user guides on LibreOffice.org or LibreOffice Help Wiki.
Compatibility with Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
How to Open a Microsoft Office File
When using Linux Mint, LibreOffice is the default office suite so when you try to open a document, presentation, or spreadsheet by double-clicking on the file it will automatically open in the LibreOffice equivalent. This means that *.doc and *.docx files will open in LibreOffice Writer, *.xls and *.xlsx files will open in LibreOffice Calc, and *.ppt, *.pps, and *.pptx files will open in LibreOffice Impress.
Alternatively, you can open one of these files by first opening the LibreOffice, clicking the Open File button in the top-left corner, navigating to the file you would like to open and double-clicking it. LibreOffice will then automatically pick the correct program to open the file and launch it for you.
How to Save LibreOffice Files in Microsoft Office Format
By default, LibreOffice will save documents in the OpenDocument Format (ODF) which is an open-source standard for documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Current versions of Microsoft Office should have no problems opening these ODF files, but there may be some formatting issues and file could look different from when it was first created.
If you want to save a LibreOffice file as a Microsoft file, it is possible! For any of the tools, you can follow the instructions below to get a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file from your LibreOffice tool.
Choose File - Save As.
In the File type box in the bottom-right corner, select a Microsoft Office file format.
Word 2007 - 365 (*.docx)
PowerPoint 2007 - 365 (*.pptx)
Excel 2007 - 365 (*.xlsx)
Compatibility with Google Drive
Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets
The suite of office applications created by Google, also known as G-Suite, are fully compatible with the OpenDocument Format (ODF) that is used by LibreOffice by default.
How to Open an ODF file in Google's G-Suite
After you have saved a ODF file with LibreOffice (*.odt, *.odp, or *.ods) you can upload it to Google Drive, Google's cloud storage system which is free for users who have a Gmail account.
You can upload your file by clicking on the + NEW button in the top-left corner of your screen when you open https://drive.google.com/.
Select File Upload
Navigate to where you have saved the file you would like to upload and double-click on the icon.
Once the file has been uploaded you can search for it with the Search in Drive bar located at the top of the screen. Once you have found the file, you can double-click on it to get a preview. This screen also allows you to download or print the file using the buttons in the top-right corner.
To convert this ODF file into a Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet, click on the Open With button and select Google Docs, Google Slides, or Google Sheets depending on what file you uploaded (Google will only show you compatible options, meaning Google Docs will appear for a text document and not for a presentation or spreadsheet). Then, after a few moments, your document will be converted and you will be taken to the appropriate G-Suite tool.
Note that some of your formatting may have changed in the conversion process so it is a good idea to check over your file to make sure things are formatted and organized the way you want them.
Alternatively, once you have uploaded the file you wish to convert to a G-Suite file, you can right-click on the uploaded file, select Open With and choose Google Docs, Google Slides, or Google Sheets depending on what file you uploaded (Google will only show you compatible options, meaning Google Docs will appear for a text document and not for a presentation or spreadsheet).
How to Download a G-Suite File to use with LibreOffice
If you have a Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet that you want to download and use with LibreOffice then there is a very simple process for this!
Open the file that you want to convert for use with LibreOffice
Click File in the top-left corner
Select Download
Select OpenDocument Format
Save to your computer using the window that appears
Compare and Contrast LibreOffice with G-Suite
The following website takes an in-depth look at LibreOffice and G-Suite, two free sets of office tools like document, presentation, and spreadsheet editors. Click the link below to learn more!
https://oscollege.com/2018/01/29/libreoffice-google-drive-great-companions/