★ Winner of Best Office Suite in 2017 and 2014.

Overview

LibreOffice is a very robust data processing/document production suite consisting of six applications in a centralized interface designed to meet all of your document management and creation needs. This program facilitates the creation of spreadsheets, documents, presentations, and databases.

Installation

With a file size of more than 200 MB, this feature-packed software suite consumes quite a bit of disk space and takes a while to download. Fortunately, the installation process doesn't take nearly as long, as it is guided by a wizard-style setup guide that virtually any computer user could complete. Compatible with the latest versions of Windows, including 2000, XP, Vista, and 7.

Interface

The LibreOffice interface is similar to that of Microsoft Office, with the main screen providing access to the various modules – Text Document, Presentation, Database, Formula, Spreadsheet, and Drawing. Below the module buttons are the 'Open' and 'Templates' icons. After you choose one of the modules you be presented with an entirely new interface with different button icons, menus, and frame layouts. Although it can take a while to get used to the cluttered appearance of the top navigational frame, once you learn the purpose of each button icon it becomes a lot easier.

Pros

• Writer module offers advanced word processing capabilities, including autoformatting, auto completion, and automatic spell check. You can embed illustrations, diagrams, tables, and any other type of component directly into the document

• Impress module makes it easy to create professional-grade multimedia presentations with stunning special effects and top-notch animations

• Calc module helps you analyze data through the use of charts, graphs, and other mathematical tools

• Math module provides a basic equation editor that lets you edit and display mathematical, electrical, scientific, and chemical equations in written form

• Base module aids in the process of creating complex front-end interfaces complete with reports, views, and various forms

• Draw module gives you the ability to create impressive three-dimensional illustrations, diagrams, and sketches, all of which can be enhanced with a plethora of special effects

• Open-source, community-driven development ensures frequent updates and compatibility with third-party extensions that can enhance and extend functionality

• Almost every aspect of the user interface can be customized, from the location and set up of toolbars to the precise formatting of document editing modes

Cons

• Interface functionality can slow down noticeably if a lot of operations are being performed at once

Alternatives

There are a number of other document creation suites available, including OpenOffice.org, Microsoft Office, Apple iWork (Mac), Lotus Symphony, KOffice, and NeoOffice (Mac). Of these alternatives, OpenOffice.org is a free, open-source competitor that offers many of the same features as LibreOffice, but is a bit more popular in the online community.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a powerful application that facilitates the editing and creation of any type of document, LibreOffice offers a dynamic solution that offers functionality that is comparable to that of Microsoft Office. With easily accessible modules that each have separate interfaces in and of themselves, this powerful suite is an invaluable addition to anyone's software toolset.