OpenOffice - Download A Free Office Suite

OpenOffice is a great alternative to Microsoft Office as you can use it for free without paying an expensive subscription plan. If you don’t know what OpenOffice is, you are at the right place.

In this blog, you will learn everything from what this software is, how to download and use it – keep reading!

Part 1： How to Download OpenOffice for Free (Windows and Mac)

OpenOffice is easy to download even if you have little experience working with computers. This step-by-step guide will help you learn how you can download OpenOffice the right way:

For Windows

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the OpenOffice website on your desired browser installed on your Windows Laptop/PC.

Step 2: Click on the “Download full installation” button and locate the downloaded OpenOffice file in your file manager.

Step 3:Find the file on your computer and double-click on the OpenOffice installer to begin the installation process.

Step 4:Follow the OpenOffice installation process to use this software on your computer.

This method for downloading and installing OpenOffice mentioned above is good if you want to download it from the official website. However, if you want to install OpenOffice from Microsoft Store, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store on your PC/Laptop by locating it in the Windows menu:

Step 2:Launch the software and search for “OpenOffice” to proceed.

Step 3: Open “Apache OpenOffice” in Microsoft Store and click the “Install” button to proceed with the download process.

For Mac

This is the process for downloading OpenOffice on Mac:

Step 1: Open Safari or any other browser of your choice on Mac and proceed to visit the OpenOffice website, and then choose the .dmg of OpenOffice based on the operating system of your Mac.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen installation process to install OpenOffice on your Mac easily.

Part 2 : The Main Features of Openoffice

OpenOffice has these amazing benefits that are difficult to find in any open-source application suite you can find. The good thing about Apache OpenOffice is that it can provide all features even on computers/laptops that don’t have good specs.

Here are the important features of OpenOffice you must know:

• Writer is a word processor application included in OpenOffice that you can use to create amazing documents of all sorts.

• Calc is a spreadsheet software bundled with OpenOffice that allows you to run operations on spreadsheets.

• Impress is a slideshows creation software that comes with OpenOffice. This tool allows you to create amazing presentations.

• Draw tool is included in OpenOffice that allows users to create amazing 3D illustrations in no time.

• Base is a powerful tool included in OpenOffice that is meant for handling databases effortlessly for all sorts of applications.

• Math is a software that comes with OpenOffice that you can use to create mathematical equations with an amazing interface.

Part 3: How to Use OpenOffice

The best thing about OpenOffice is that it is super easy to use. Even if you don’t have robust experience working with computers, you can still use OpenOffice without running into problems handling all your personal and professional documentation needs.

Here are three ways given as an example to show how you can use OpenOffice for managing your documentation needs:

1. How Do I Print an Envelope in OpenOffice?

If you are looking to create an envelope, you can do so easily by following the steps given below:

• Open a new document inside OpenOffice.

• Click on the Insert button inside OpenOffice and click on Envelope.

• You will see a new Envelope box inside OpenOffice:

• Click on the Format button to change the style of the Envelope:

• Click on the “Setup” button if you want to make any specific changes to the saving process of the Envelope:

• Click on the “Insert” button to see a new envelope inside OpenOffice:

2. How to Make a Textbox in OpenOffice?

Here is how to insert a new Textbox using OpenOffice easily:

Open a new document in OpenOffice and click on the View button. Then click on Toolbars and click on Drawing.

Click on the Text icon to get started with the addition of a text box.

• Drag the cursor shown inside OpenOffice and check the “Properties” box to make changes to the text box.

3. How to Insert Page Number in OpenOffice?

Here is the process of inserting page numbers in a document inside OpenOffice:

• Create a Blank Document in OpenOffice:

Go to the “Insert” option in OpenOffice and click on “Fields” to access the “Page Number” button.

After you click the “Page Number” option, you will see a number of pages displayed inside your document.

Part 4: The Compatibility of OpenOffice

If you deal with a lot of documents and have to create documents on various computers, you need to know if OpenOffice is on different operating systems or not. The information mentioned below will help you with the process:

• Supported Operating System

The motive of the team that has developed OpenOffice is to create an office suite that allows document creation of all sorts and can be run across devices. This is why OpenOffice can run on all major platforms.

Here are the platforms this software supports:

• All versions of Windows OS that are later than Windows XP.

• All major distros of Linux are available for public use.

• All versions of Mac OS X are either 32 or 64-bit.

• Supported File Formats

The default file system compatible with OpenOffice is Open Document Format, commonly abbreviated as ODF. But the software is also compatible with the leading Microsoft Office suite.

These file formats are supported by OpenOffice:

• OOXML

• docx

• pptx

• xlsx

Part 5: The Rating and Review

The good thing about OpenOffice is that it has earned tons of positive reviews over the years. Here is a brief overview of the reviews of OpenOffice and what makes it a good tool:

Trustpilot Rating

When it comes to Trustpilot, OpenOffice has failed to get a ton of positive reviews. Most people criticize it for having an outdated interface that is no longer useful for people in this age.

Review

The OpenOffice software has succeeded in getting a 4.3 rating out of 5 on the G2 platform. Users praise this platform for providing an intuitive suite of office applications that can be used for handling all documentation needs.

Pros

• The software can be installed and used for free.

• It comes with basic documentation features for all users.

• OpenOffice is lightweight and can be run on all devices.

Cons

• The software lacks a modern documentation interface and features.

• It might not be a good option for those who need to create files in Microsoft Office format.

• You cannot use this software easily if you don’t have prior experience working with documents.

Part 6: Alternatives to OpenOffice

OpenOffice is not the only software that contains useful features for all users. If you are looking for an alternative to OpenOffice, then you should consider using any of these suites:

1. WPS Office

WPS Office is a powerful office productivity suite that comes with all the features you need for creating documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, and PDFs without wasting your time and effort.

Price

The good thing about this software is that you can start using it for FREE

Unlock premium features for only $47.50 per year.

Main Features

These are the main features of WPS Office:

• It can be used for creating documents, spreadsheets, and slides in one place.

• This software packs powerful features like OCR to boost your productivity.

• You can use this software on a wide range of devices.

• WPS Office is a modern tool and has a great interface.

Supported Devices

WPS Office can be used on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android seamlessly.

Pros

These are the powerful benefits of WPS Office:

• It is an office suite of small size but packs a lot of features.

• Users who don’t have robust experience using computers can rely on it.

• WPS Office is a great way to manage personal and professional documentation needs.

How to Download

Here is how to download WPS Office:

• Visit the wps.com website on your desired web browser.

• Click on the “Download” button on the WPS website to get started.

• Proceed by clicking on the WPS Office setup to install it on your computer/laptop.

2. LibreOffice

Price

The best thing about LibreOffice is that it is free software you can use without having to pay a single penny.

Main Features

• LibreOffice is open-source software.

• It can work with all sorts of important document formats.

• The software is lightweight and can be used for creating documents on older computers.

Supported Devices

The LibreOffice software can run on all leading platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Pros

• The software is an open-source project.

• It can be used easily by those who are new to computers.

• The project is updated regularly by contributors worldwide.

Cons

• The software doesn’t run properly on Mac.

• You cannot use the LibreOffice online.

• The interface of this software is not modern.

How to Download

Here is how to download LibreOffice easily:

• Open your desired web browser and navigate to the LibreOffice website.

• Click on the “Download LibreOffice” button to get started with the downloading process.

Part 7: OpenOffice vs WPS Office vs LibreOffice

The presence of several amazing office suite products other than Microsoft Office can make it difficult to make your choice as a user. This simple table will help you decide which software you should use:

FAQs about OpenOffice

Q1: How do I use templates in OpenOffice?

1. Here is the process:

2. Visit the OpenOffice template website.

• Use the “Search” button to find your desired template.

Q2: How do I uninstall Apache OpenOffice?

1. Search for “Control Panel” in the search option of Windows:

• Click on the “Uninstall a program” button to proceed.

• Follow the instructions on the screen to get started with the removal process of OpenOffice.

Boost Productivity with WPS Office

OpenOffice is a great tool for managing your documentation needs, but it can fall short because it lacks modern features. You can start using WPS Office if you want a productivity suite that is free and includes features you need in this digital age.

The good thing about WPS Office is that it allows you to manage all your documentation needs in one place. Besides that, it is also able to run on all platforms, allowing you to streamline your documentation the right way.