How to Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

LibreOffice is a free and open-source office productivity suite that offers users powerful tools for word processing, spreadsheet management, presentation creation, and more. It is designed to be easy to use and offers a variety of features that make it a compelling alternative to other office suites like OpenOffice, FreeOffice, and WPS Office. This guide will explore what LibreOffice is, how it differs from other software, and how to install it on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa LTS distributions using the LibreOffice Launchpad PPA for the latest versions available.

Here are some key differences that set LibreOffice apart from other office software:

• Open-source: LibreOffice is open-source software, meaning it is free to use and can be modified and distributed by anyone.
• Cross-platform compatibility: LibreOffice is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for users with different devices.
• Familiar interface: LibreOffice has a similar interface to Microsoft Office, making it easy for users to transition to the software without much hassle.
• Greater functionality: Compared to other office suites, LibreOffice offers users a wider range of tools and features for creating, editing, and managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• File format support: LibreOffice supports various file formats, including Microsoft Office formats, making it easy to work with files created in other office suites.

In comparison to other office software, here are some key differences between LibreOffice and its competitors:

• OpenOffice: LibreOffice and OpenOffice share a common ancestry, but LibreOffice has more active developers, more frequent updates, and a more modern interface.
• FreeOffice: LibreOffice has a wider range of features and better file format support than FreeOffice, which only offers a limited range of functions in its free version.
• WPS Office: While WPS Office is a popular choice, it is not open-source software and can be more challenging for users who are used to Microsoft Office’s interface.

Now that we’ve explored what LibreOffice is and how it differs from other software let’s look at how to install it on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa LTS distributions using the LibreOffice Launchpad PPA for the latest versions available.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Before proceeding, it’s recommended that you update your Linux system to ensure that all existing packages are up to date. This will help ensure that your system runs smoothly and that no conflicts or issues could impact the installation process.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install & Configure Required Dependencies for LibreOffice

Before installing LibreOffice on your Linux system, you must ensure all required dependencies are in place. These dependencies may include ca-certificates, apt-transport-https, software-properties-common, and LSB-release. To install them, open a terminal and run the appropriate command for your system:

sudo apt install ca-certificates apt-transport-https software-properties-common lsb-release -y

If you are new to importing GPG keys or using PPAs on Launchpad, you may encounter an issue where your command line terminal does not create the necessary directories. This can cause issues when launching LibreOffice or other software. However, you can easily fix this by executing a command to create these directories. To do so, run the following command:

sudo gpg --list-keys

This will create the necessary directories and ensure that the installation process for LibreOffice runs smoothly. The output should look similar to the following:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

Step 3: Import LibreOffice PPA

To begin the installation process for LibreOffice on your Linux system, you’ll need to import the appropriate LibreOffice repository that corresponds to your desired installation version. The most commonly recommended option is to install the current release PPA, although additional backports and pre-release repositories are available as optional extras if desired. By selecting the appropriate repository for your needs, you can ensure access to your LibreOffice installation’s most up-to-date features and functionality.

First, import the GPG key with the following command:

To ensure that the software packages you download are authentic, importing the GPG key for LibreOffice is recommended. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/libreoffice-ppa.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 36E81C9267FD1383FCC4490983FBA1751378B444

Example output if successful:

gpg: key 83FBA1751378B444: public key "Launchpad PPA for LibreOffice Packaging" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

It’s important to note that when installing LibreOffice on your Linux system, you should only install the PPA required for your specific needs – there’s no need to install all three PPAs. By selecting the appropriate PPA for your desired installation version, you can avoid any potential conflicts or issues arising from installing unnecessary software.

Option 1 – Import LibreOffice PPA LibreOffice Fresh (Stable)

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/libreoffice-ppa.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libreoffice/ppa/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/libreoffice-ppa.list

Option 2 – Import LibreOffice PPA Pre-Release (Alpha, Beta)

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/libreoffice-ppa.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libreoffice/libreoffice-prereleases/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/libreoffice-ppa.list

Option 3 – Import LibreOffice LibreOffice Still (Backports)

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/libreoffice-ppa.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libreoffice/libreoffice-still/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/libreoffice-ppa.list

It’s also worth noting that these commands apply to any currently supported Ubuntu LTS or short-term release supported by the LibreOffice Packaging team. This ensures that users of various Ubuntu distributions can use the installation process described in this guide.

Step 4: Install LibreOffice

The next step is to run an apt-update on your Linux system to proceed with the installation process. This command will refresh the package lists and ensure you can access all installed software’s latest updates and features, including LibreOffice.

sudo apt update

To install LibreOffice on your Linux system, run the following command in your terminal. This will initiate the installation process and ensure all necessary files and dependencies are downloaded and installed correctly.

sudo apt install libreoffice -y

Step 5: Launch LibreOffice

Once you have successfully installed LibreOffice on your Linux system, you can launch the application using either the terminal or the application icon. If you are new to Linux and Ubuntu, here’s how to do it:

Launching LibreOffice from the Terminal:

1. Open a terminal window on your Linux system.
2. Type “libreoffice” without quotes and press Enter.
3. This will launch the LibreOffice application, and you can start using its tools for your productivity tasks.

Launching LibreOffice from the Application Icon:

1. Look for the application icon for LibreOffice on your Linux desktop.
2. Click on the icon to launch the application.
3. Once LibreOffice is launched, you can use its productivity tools suite to create, edit, and manage your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Example of LibreOffice suite Application icons:

When you launch the LibreOffice suite for the first time on your Ubuntu system, you’ll find a suite of applications that offer a wide range of productivity tools. Here’s what you can expect from each application:

1. Writer: This application is a word processor that offers a variety of features for creating and editing documents. You can customize the font and formatting options, add images and tables, and create a table of contents.
2. Calc: This spreadsheet program application allows you to organize, analyze, and present data in various ways. You can use it to create charts, graphs, and tables and even perform complex calculations.
3. Impress: This presentation software application lets you create professional-looking presentations with various multimedia options. You can add images, audio, video, animations, and special effects.
4. Draw: This vector graphics editor application allows you to create graphics, diagrams, and flowcharts. You can use it to create 2D and 3D designs, logos, and other marketing materials.
5. Math: This application is a formula editor that allows you to create mathematical equations and formulas. You can use it to create complex equations and generate graphs and charts based on your data.

Tips and ideas on customizing LibreOffice:

• Customize the toolbars and menus to include the options you use most frequently.
• Adjust the font and color schemes to suit your preferences and create a personalized workspace.
• Explore the extensions and add-ons available for LibreOffice, which can help you expand its capabilities and add new features.
• Experiment with templates and styles to create professional-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Example of LibreOffice Suite on Ubuntu:

Additional Tips

Remove (Uninstall) LibreOffice

If you no longer need LibreOffice on your Linux system, you can easily remove it to free up system resources. Here are the steps to remove LibreOffice:

sudo apt remove libreoffice

If you also imported the LibreOffice PPA repository during installation, you may want to remove it to avoid potential conflicts with other software on your system. Here are the steps to remove the PPA:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/libreoffice-ppa.list

Conclusion

In conclusion, LibreOffice is a powerful and versatile office productivity suite that offers many tools and features for creating, editing, and managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. With its cross-platform compatibility, open-source architecture, and user-friendly interface, LibreOffice is an excellent choice for a reliable, free, and feature-rich alternative to other office suites like Microsoft Office.

Throughout this guide, we have explored the steps required to install LibreOffice on your Linux system and some of the key differences that set it apart from other office software. We have also provided some tips and ideas on customizing the software to suit your preferences and boost your productivity.

Whether you are new to Linux or a seasoned user, LibreOffice offers a robust set of tools that can help you achieve your productivity goals. With its support for multiple file formats and powerful suite of applications, LibreOffice is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a reliable and feature-rich office productivity suite. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily install, customize, and use LibreOffice on your Linux system and take advantage of all its features and benefits.

FAQs on LibreOffice with Ubuntu