Tips for LibreOffice (Writer)
 
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LibreOffice (LO) is the state-of-the-art free replacement for Microsoft Office.

At the time I update this, LO is currently in V7.6.0.1.

This “tutorial” should also work with Apache OpenOffice.

There are still issues with Microsoft extensions: .docx, .xlsx and .ppsx.
This happens because they are proprietary formats, and it is hard to access their data dictionaries.

For the best free Office experience, it is important to have:
— LibreOffice
If you have a 64-bit OS, download LO 64-bit.
Download it: https://libreoffice.org
Also download the offline help.


— Dictionaries
The following dictionaries are the most important ones:
 1) English;
 2) French;
 3) German;
 4) Spanish;
 5) Portuguese.




They can be selected during the installation setup.

If you are Portuguese:
The Portuguese default dictionary is the postreform.
If you need, you may download the prereform: https://natura.di.uminho.pt/wiki/doku.php?id=dicionarios:main


— Changing the Graphical Interface

You can change the settings of LibreOffice to use ribbon tabs, just like Microsoft Office.
ViewUser Interface…





— Quickstarter enabled
It is faster to open LO by automatically loading the libraries while Windows is entering the desktop.
ToolsOptions Generaltick “Load LibreOffice during system start-up”



— Java
Make sure you have Java 8+.
If you are running LO 64-bit, you will require Java 64-bit.
Download the latest Java: https://java.com
To enable Java in LO:
ToolsOptionsAdvanced



— LanguageTool
It is the best grammar checker around.
LanguageTool requires Java to work.
Download it: https://languagetool.org
Then install the .oxt in LO.

You can also download the nightly: https://internal1.languagetool.org/snapshots/
The nightly is updated daily, and you always have access to the latest rules, but then you will need to update manually.
The official release only happens every three months.

This extension will add this toolbar in LO:


Remember to configure LanguageTool after each manual update:
Tools LanguageTool Options…
 


After installing extensions, restart LO:


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Last update: 12.Jul.2023