Users need clarification about whether they can comfortably install Office for Ubuntu. Some say they tried to download it but failed. Others find it non-functional when installed. Does this mean Ubuntu users can no longer use this office suite? Luckily, some tips can help us install Office 365 for Ubuntu, both using wine and without wine for free. Follow along as this article will show you all the steps clearly.
Use Microsoft 365 Online for Free (Easiest Way)
Microsoft desktop apps hardly support Linux OS, and that’s the reason we advise Linux users to use the Microsoft 365 web page as a substitute.
Microsoft 365 online is very straightforward. You just need to access the web page via Linux, log into your Microsoft account, and use its applications immediately.
Here are the steps on how to use Microsoft 365 Online;
Step 1: Choose any browser and head directly to the Microsoft web page.
Step 2: Click on ‘Sign in’ on this page
Step 3: Here comes a new sign-in on the page. Be sure to input your accurate email address and then click on next.
Step 4: On signing in, you will arrive at this dashboard. You can manage your documents or even create them by choosing either of the applications. Let’s use Microsoft Word in our case.
Step 5: On clicking on Word, here we are. If you have used Word before, you should be familiar with such an interface.
Step 6: Let’s have a look at the document. It is more or less the same as the Word document we use.
Install Free Microsoft Office 365 on Ubuntu Using Wine (Free download available)
Ubuntu Office 365 requires Wine to enable its functionality.
What is Wine?
Wine is an application that allows your Windows programs to run effectively on your Linux system.
How to Install Wine on Ubuntu?
To install the latest stable version of Wine on Ubuntu, follow these steps;
Step 1: Enable 32-bit support.
Ubuntu now primarily utilizes the 64-bit version, with 32-bit builds being discontinued. However, Ubuntu's repositories still include many necessary libraries and dependencies for 32-bit architecture support.
To start, open a new Terminal window and execute the following command:
Sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
Step 2: Add Wine Repo Keys
To add Wine repo keys, follow these steps.
First, create a new keyring with appropriate permissions using the command:
Sudo mkdir -pm755 /etc/apt/keyrings
Next, import Wine repository keys into this keyring using the command:
Sudo wget -O /etc/apt/keyrings/winehq-archive.key https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
Step 3: Add the Official Wine Repo
To proceed, identify your Ubuntu version by checking Settings > About. Depending on your performance, choose the appropriate command. For Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 'Jammy Jellyfish' (or similar distros like Linux Mint 21. x), use:
Sudo wget -NP /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/dists/jammy/winehq-jammy.sources
If you're on Ubuntu 22.10 'Kinetic Kudu' (or its variants), use:
sudo wget -NP /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/dists/kinetic/winehq-kinetic.sources
Step 4: Installing Wine
With the previous steps completed, you're ready to install Wine on your Ubuntu system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable
When you execute this command and enter your user password to authenticate the installation, it will initiate the download, installation, and upgrading of numerous packages.
Install Microsoft Office 365 on Ubuntu Using Wine
Here are steps to install an office for ubuntu using Wine.
Step 1: Ensure you have the Ubuntu Office 365 setup and Wine installed. Download via this link.
Step 2: Add all dependencies, including Wine repo, if it is not yet installed.
Step 3: Define the Windows architecture to be used. That will entail creating a directory for the Wine instance in your user's home directory and Specifying the Wine prefix for this instance with this command.
export WINEARCH=win32
mkdir ~/.msoffice
export WINEPREFIX=~/.msoffice
Initiate the Wine instance.
Wine boot -i
Step 4: Installation occurs as shown below. Click on Accept to proceed with the installation.
Step 5: Once the process is over, run this command.
winetricks cmd corefonts msxml6 riched20 gdiplus
That takes 20 to 30 minutes for the command to complete. You should see this.
Step 6: We can now start installing an office. So run this command.
wine path/to/the/installer/OfficeSetup.exe
Now, you should see the following.
Step 7: If all is well, you should soon be able to see the applications. At the left corner of the screen, you can see the icon. ‘Office installing in the background’. Wait for some minutes for the installation to complete.
Step 8: When you see as shown below, be sure the installation has been completed.
If the installation for all the apps is not over as you wish, close the window and run this command below
cp -iv "${WINEPREFIX:-~/.wine}/drive_c/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft Shared/ClickToRun/AppvIsvSubsystems32.dll" "${WINEPREFIX:-~/.wine}/drive_c/Program Files/Microsoft Office/root/Office16/AppvIsvSubsystems32.dll"
cp -iv "${WINEPREFIX:-~/.wine}/drive_c/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft Shared/ClickToRun/C2R32.dll" "${WINEPREFIX:-~/.wine}/drive_c/Program Files/Microsoft Office/root/Office16/C2R32.dll"
The command puts the DLL files together and ensures all files are explicitly installed.
Now, it is all over. Click on and start enjoying services from Ubuntu Office 365.
Use Free Alternatives for MS Office 365 on Ubuntu [Mostly used]
WPS Office
Some of the standard features and advantages of WPS Office over MS Office 365 include;
It offers a complete suite of cost-effective office tools, including Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF editors,
WPS Office includes a robust PDF editor with free reading, annotation, and conversion features.
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Access a wide variety of free and paid templates for Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents, simplifying document creation.
WPS Office Preface
WPS Writer, part of the WPS Office suite, offers a user-friendly interface and compatibility with various document formats.
It closely resembles the Microsoft Word interface, making it easy for users to work with Word documents without any transition costs. The software's lightweight nature ensures smooth performance, even when dealing with large files and complex data.
How to Download WPS Office for Linux?
To download and install WPS Office on Ubuntu, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official WPS Office Linux page.
Step 2: Click "Free Download." and select the Deb package.
Step 3: Find the downloaded file in your "Downloads" folder.
Step 4: Right-click and choose "Open With Software Install" to access Ubuntu Software Center.
Step 5: In the Ubuntu Software Center, click "Install."
Step 6: Authenticate with your admin password.
Step 7: Wait for the installation to complete.
Step 8: Access WPS Office from your programs menu or via Ubuntu Dash search.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a widely used free alternative to Microsoft Office 365 on Ubuntu. It offers a comprehensive office suite with excellent compatibility, regular updates, and cross-platform availability. Being open-source, it's cost-effective and customizable, with a supportive user community and extensive documentation.
Comparison
WPS Office and LibreOffice are two popular office suites, but they have some key differences:
Cost:
WPS Office: Offers free and premium versions with some advanced features at a cost.
LibreOffice: Completely free and open-source, with no premium version.
User Interface:
WPS Office: Resembles Microsoft Office closely, making it familiar to MS Office users.
LibreOffice: Has a unique interface that might require some adaptation for MS Office users.
Features:
WPS Office: Offers a rich set of features, including advanced tools like a PDF editor, resume assistant, and templates.
LibreOffice: Provides comprehensive office applications but may have fewer advanced features than WPS Office.
FAQs about Ubuntu offices
Can I use MS Office 365 on Ubuntu after paying?
You cannot use MS Office 365 on Ubuntu, even on a paid plan. Microsoft Office 365 is not officially supported on the Linux operating system Ubuntu. However, you might explore alternative methods, e.g., compatibility layers like Wine, to run Microsoft Office applications on Linux.
Is WPS Office compatible with Microsoft Office file formats?
Yes. WPS Office is compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. It has robust compatibility features that allow you to open, edit, and save documents in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the standard file formats used by Microsoft Office.
Do I need antivirus software for office documents on Ubuntu?
While Linux, including Ubuntu, is less susceptible to viruses than some other operating systems, it's still advisable to exercise caution when downloading files and to consider antivirus software for added security.
Summary
The article provides a comprehensive guide for Ubuntu users on installing Office 365, highlighting two methods: using Microsoft 365 Online for simplicity and installing Office 365 with Wine for more advanced users. Be sure to consider WPS as a free alternative to Office 365. It’s a cost-effective alternative showcasing its rich features and strong compatibility with MS Office file formats on Ubuntu.
