Microsoft Office, a vital productivity suite, is sought after by professionals, students, and casual users. Linux users often face hurdles in installing or running Office on their PCs. Nevertheless, there are solutions to bring this crucial software to Linux. Various workarounds empower Linux users to access and utilize Office applications. In this guide, we'll outline steps for how to install Microsoft Office on Linux Mint.
How to Install Microsoft Office for Free on Linux Mint using WPS Office
The synergy between Linux and WPS Office forms an ideal partnership, offering a compelling solution for productivity seekers. Both being open source, they provide a dependable, cost-free alternative. WPS Office, encompassing PowerPoint, Writer, and Excel equivalents, ensures a comprehensive suite. Below, we outline the simple steps to seamlessly download WPS Office on your Linux system.
How to download WPS Office on Linux?
WPS Office and Linux make an ideal pair, delivering top-notch free productivity. This dynamic duo combines a world of free productivity tools with a secure, open-source operating system, enabling efficient and creative work.
Step 1: Visit WPS Office on your browser.
Step 2: Users can find both DEB and RPM packages, but since we are specifically interested in downloading for our Linux Mint system, let's click on the DEB package to initiate the download.
Step 3: Open your File Explorer and go to Download where you will find the setup file for WPS Office.
Step 4: Right-click on the file and select the option “Open with GDebi Package Installer”.
Step 5: A Download prompt will appear where on the top right corner you will be requested to click “Install Package”.
Step 6: Enter your device password for authentication.
Step 7: Launch WPS Office by searching it on the menu bar or by clicking on the icon on your desktop
Steps to edit Word/Excel/Powerpoint in WPS Office for Linux:
Editing Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations on Linux has never been easier with WPS Office.
Familiarize Yourself with WPS Writer
WPS Writer, the Word document editor in WPS Office, offers a user-friendly interface reminiscent of Microsoft Word. You'll find familiar tabs and toolbars at the top, providing all the features you'd expect. Discover dedicated buttons for undo/redo, search and replace, printing, saving, loading files, and more. Under the Review tab, you can even access a word count feature to keep track of your document's length.
Excel at Spreadsheets with WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet is a powerful tool for handling Excel files on Linux. What sets it apart is its ability to insert Combo charts, allowing you to create charts with two different data representations in a single chart—ideal for tasks like histograms and line diagrams. Beyond this, you can unleash multiple calculations, from basic addition to complex formulas and standard deviations.
Craft Stunning Presentations with WPS Presentation
The WPS Presentation App offers a seamless experience for creating and editing PowerPoint presentations on Linux. Its user interface draws inspiration from Microsoft's Office suite, making it intuitive for those familiar with PowerPoint.
3 Ways to download and install Microsoft Office on Linux Mint
Method 1: Install Microsoft Office 365 in a VM
While running Microsoft Office directly on Linux distributions is not a straightforward process, there's an effective workaround that involves utilizing a virtual machine. Here's how you can go about Microsoft Office for Linux free download through the virtual machine system:
Step 1: Set Up a Virtual Machine
To get started, you'll need to create a virtual machine on your Linux system. You can choose from popular virtualization platforms like VMware or VirtualBox, both of which work seamlessly on Linux. These virtualization tools allow you to run other operating systems within your Linux environment.
Step 2: Install Windows Within the Virtual Machine
Once your virtual machine is up and running, the next step is to install a Windows operating system within it. This step essentially creates a Windows environment within your Linux system. You'll go through the Windows installation process as you would on a physical computer.
Step 3: Install Microsoft Office
With Windows successfully installed in your virtual machine, you now have the flexibility to install any version of Microsoft Office you prefer. This method becomes particularly handy if you have a valid subscription to Office 365, as it's not natively installable on Linux distributions.
Method 2: Install Microsoft Office 365 Using PlayOnLinux
Navigating these steps, you can swiftly access Microsoft Office without cost on Linux. However, please note that these instructions pertain to downloading Microsoft Office for Linux within a PlayOnLinux environment. If you're ready to explore this option, you can also consider WPS Office as a compelling alternative for native Linux productivity.
Step 1: We’ll start with installing Playonlinux. access the Linux Mint menu and locate the "Software Manager".
Step 2: To continue, individuals will be prompted to input their password for authentication.
Step 3: Within the Software Manager, perform a search for "PlayOnLinux," and then double-click it to initiate the installation process.
Step 4: Follow any prompts or agreements that may appear to finalize the installation.
Step 5: Once the installation of PlayOnLinux is completed, close the Software Manager.
Step 6: To install the necessary packages, please open a terminal window. You can do this by accessing the Linux Mint menu and searching for "Terminal."
Step 7: Within the terminal, please input the following command: $ sudo apt-get install xterm unrar-free p7z
Step 8: Once the installation process is finished, you can go ahead and close the terminal.
Step 9: To access PlayOnLinux, simply search for it in your Linux Mint menu and then double-click on it to open the application.
Step 10: If you skipped installing the required packages earlier, PlayOnLinux may show an error. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix it.
Step 11: Now, proceed by clicking the "Install" button to initiate the installation process.
Step 12: A window will appear; please allow it a moment to load.
Step 13: In the PlayOnLinux application, click the "Office" tab, then select "Microsoft Office 2010" from the list of available versions.
Step 14: Click "Next" after reading the initial instructions, such as an instructional window, during installation.
Step 15: Microsoft Office 2010 installation will begin, click on to proceed with the installation process "Next".
Step 16: Find the directory where the setup file is saved and choose the *.exe file for Microsoft Office setup.
Step 17: After selecting the correct .exe file, click the "Open" button at the bottom right corner. This loads the .exe file into PlayOnLinux. Then, click "Next" to continue with the Microsoft Office 2010 installation.
Step 18: During installation, PlayOnLinux will install various programs such as Wine and .NET Framework. Allow the installation process to finish.
Step 19: Follow any remaining prompts to finalize the installation.
Step 20: After the successful installation of Microsoft Office 2010, click "Close" and enjoy using it on your PC!
Step 21: To open your desired Microsoft application, select it in PlayOnLinux, then click on the "Run" option.
Method 3: Using Microsoft Office Online
Navigating these steps, you can swiftly install the Microsoft Office Linux Mint system. Keep in mind, that these methods grant you access to Microsoft Office online for free on Linux. But, if you're keen on exploring MS Office on Linux Mint as an efficient alternative, consider the feature-rich and free WPS Office for Linux.
Step 1: Launch your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Office webpage.
Step 2: On the Microsoft Office webpage, locate and click on the "Sign-In" option situated in the upper right corner of your screen.
Step 3: Create your account or sign in to be able to use Microsoft Office Online.
Step 4: After successfully signing in, you will land on your Microsoft Office Home dashboard. In this section, you can manage your existing documents or create a new one by clicking on one of the office application icons located at the top of the page. We will click on “Document” to create a new *.DOC using Microsoft Word.
Step 5: To start with a blank document, select "New blank document".
Step 6: At this point, you can access your Office Home from anywhere you sign in. As a cloud-based application, you can retrieve and edit your documents from any location as long as you're connected to the internet.
FAQS
Q1. Can I install the full version of Microsoft Office on Linux Mint?
Microsoft Office can be installed on Linux Mint using compatibility layers like Wine or PlayOnLinux. However, compatibility issues may occur with specific features and versions of Office. Office Online, Microsoft's web-based version, offers a reliable and functional option for accessing and editing documents in a web browser, making Office use on Linux Mint easier.
Q2. Will all Microsoft Office features work seamlessly on Linux Mint?
Linux Mint supports most Microsoft Office features, but some advanced functions may have limited functionality. It's recommended to review individual Office usage requirements and test features before switching to Linux Mint. Consider alternative office suites or internet-based solutions for specific functionalities, as Linux Mint may not fully support them.
Elevate Your Linux Mint Productivity with Microsoft Office Alternatives
With these steps on how to install Microsoft Office on Linux Mint, a great productivity tool is just a few clicks away. Whether through Wine, browser-based access, or virtual machines, you'll have diverse options to work with your Office files. Alternatively, if you're looking to fully embrace Linux, consider robust native Linux apps like WPS Office, which provides a compelling alternative to Microsoft's suite with various benefits. Download WPS Office for Linux now and experience a seamless productivity solution
