This video provides an overview of the components of LibreOffice including:

• LibreOffice Writer (for word processing)
• LibreOffice Calc (for spreadsheets)
• LibreOffice Draw (for graphics)
• LibreOffice Impress (for slideshow presentations)

LibreOffice provides an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office. With LibreOffice, you don’t need a proprietary software licence, so you can install the software on any personal computer you may have.

It is a simple process to download LibreOffice. However, please note that this is a large file (314MB) so it will take a while to download. In a school context, we recommend that one person downloads the file which can then be shared locally off-line with your colleagues.

1. Go to the official LibreOffice website: https://www.libreoffice.org/
2. Click on the Download menu option, then select Download LibreOffice
3. Choose the current version (Now version 7.0.0)
4. Normally, the download page will automatically select the correct operating system. If not, choose your operating system (Windows, Mac or Linux). If Windows, you will probably need the 64-bit version, if your computer is not older than 10 years
5. Click on the Download button, and wait for the file to download
6. When complete, double click on the file to install it
7. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation
   • Select a ‘Typical’ installation
   • You can choose to create a shortcut on your desktop to launch LibreOffice from the desktop (Optional)
   • We don’t recommend loading LibreOffice during system start-up, as that will add unnecessary time to your boot-up process, and you may not want to use a word processor every time you start your computer
   • If there are applications which you already have open, you can select the ‘Do not close applications’ option and re-start the machine when the installation is done
   • When the installation is complete, click the ‘Finish’ button
   • You may be asked to re-start the computer. Click ‘yes’
   • After re-starting, go to your application menu and select Libre Office
   • Select the LibreOffice Writer option to launch the word processor

If you are not sure what to do, search Youtube for ‘How to install LibreOffice’ and you’ll find some tutorial videos. See for example this one, published by DCP Web Designers.

Take this short quiz to test your knowledge on the LibreOffice suite of software applications.