How to Install OpenOffice on Ubuntu 24.04

OpenOffice is a free, open-source office software suite that offers a complete range of tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. It serves as a powerful alternative to Microsoft Office, making it an excellent choice for both personal and professional use. Installing OpenOffice on Ubuntu 24.04 is straightforward and can be done in just a few steps.

This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring that even beginners can follow along with ease. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have OpenOffice up and running on your Ubuntu system, ready to handle all your office tasks.

System Requirements

Before installing OpenOffice, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) Desktop
• Processor: Intel or AMD processor with a minimum of 1 GHz
• Memory: At least 512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
• Storage: At least 400 MB of free disk space for installation
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE): Optional but recommended for full functionality

These requirements ensure that OpenOffice runs smoothly on your system, providing a reliable and efficient user experience.

Step 1: Update Your System

First, we need to make sure your system is up-to-date. Open the Terminal by pressing Ctrl Alt T. Then, type the following command and press Enter:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command updates the list of available packages and their versions and then installs the newest versions of packages.

Step 2: Download OpenOffice

Next, we need to download the OpenOffice installation files. Go to the OpenOffice website and download the latest version for Linux (Debian).

1. Open your web browser.
2. Go to the OpenOffice download page.
3. Select “Linux 64-bit (x86-64) (DEB)” and your preferred language.
4. Click on “Download full installation”.

Step 3: Extract the Downloaded File

Once the download is complete, you need to extract the files. Open the Terminal again and go to the directory where you downloaded the file. For example, if you downloaded it to the Downloads folder, type:

cd ~/Downloads

Then, extract the file using this command:

tar -xvf Apache_OpenOffice_4.1.15_Linux_x86-64_install-deb_en-US.tar.gz

(Your file name may be slightly different depending on the version you downloaded.)

Step 4: Install OpenOffice

Now, we need to install OpenOffice. First, navigate to the DEBS directory and then install all the .deb packages with the following commands:

cd en-US/DEBS
sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Next, go to the desktop-integration directory and install the desktop integration package:

cd desktop-integration
sudo dpkg -i openoffice4.1-debian-menus_4.1.15-9793_all.deb

Make sure to change package versions.

Step 5: Launch OpenOffice

OpenOffice should now be installed on your system. You can find it in your application menu. Just search for “OpenOffice” and click on it to start.

You can also choose the specific application to launch like OpenOffice writer, spreadsheet etc. Once you started the main application you will see the application home as below screenshot:

Step 6: Set OpenOffice as the Default Application (Optional)

If you want OpenOffice to be the default application for opening documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, you can set it up in your system settings.

1. Right-click on a file (e.g., a .docx file).
2. Select “Properties”.
3. Go to the “Open With” tab.
4. Select “OpenOffice Writer” (or “OpenOffice Calc” for spreadsheets, etc.).
5. Click “Set as default”.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed OpenOffice on Ubuntu 24.04. You can now start using it for your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. If you have any issues, feel free to ask for help in the Ubuntu or OpenOffice communities.