Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu 24.04

 

Introduction

LibreOffice is one of the most popular free and open-source office suites that provide users with a powerful set of applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Whether you’re using it for personal productivity or professional tasks, LibreOffice is a versatile alternative to proprietary software like Microsoft Office.

If you’re using Ubuntu 24.04 and want to install LibreOffice, this guide will walk you through the process, making it easy and efficient. From installing via the official Ubuntu repositories to setting up the latest version manually, you’ll learn all the methods to get LibreOffice running smoothly on your system.

Why Choose LibreOffice?

LibreOffice offers many compelling reasons for users to choose it over other office suites:

1. Completely Free & Open Source: LibreOffice is free to use and can be modified to meet your needs.
2. Cross-platform: It works on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
3. Full Compatibility: LibreOffice can open and edit Microsoft Office documents like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.
4. Regular Updates: LibreOffice is actively developed with regular updates that introduce new features and security patches.

Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu 24.04: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s dive into the various methods to install LibreOffice on Ubuntu 24.04.

Method 1: Installing LibreOffice from Ubuntu’s Default Repositories

The easiest way to install LibreOffice on Ubuntu 24.04 is by using the default Ubuntu package repositories. This method ensures you get a version that’s well-tested and supported by Ubuntu’s software maintainers.

Open a Terminal

Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal.

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Update the Package List

Run the following command to update your package list:

sudo apt update

Install LibreOffice

Now, install the LibreOffice package by running:

sudo apt install libreoffice -y

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This command will install the LibreOffice suite along with its components, including:

Component	Description
LibreOffice Writer	A word processor.
LibreOffice Calc	A spreadsheet application.
LibreOffice Impress	A presentation application.
LibreOffice Draw	A vector graphics editor.
LibreOffice Base	A database management tool.
LibreOffice Math	An application for creating mathematical formulas.

Confirm Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify LibreOffice by typing:

libreoffice --version

LibreOffice 24.2.7.2 420(Build:2)

This command will output the installed version of LibreOffice.

Advantages

Simple and Quick

The installation is fast and doesn’t require additional configuration.

Automatically Updated

The version in the Ubuntu repositories is stable and automatically updated with system updates.

Limitations

Older Version

The version of LibreOffice in the default Ubuntu repositories might not be the latest.

Method 2: Installing the Latest LibreOffice Version via the LibreOffice PPA

If you need the latest version of LibreOffice on Ubuntu 24.04, the version in the official repositories might not be sufficient. To get the newest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements, you can install LibreOffice from the official LibreOffice PPA (Personal Package Archive).

Add the LibreOffice PPA

Open your Terminal and add the PPA using the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa

Update Your Package List

After adding the PPA, update your package list to include the new packages from the PPA:

sudo apt update

Install and Verify LibreOffice

Now, install and verify the latest version of LibreOffice by running the following commands:

sudo apt install libreoffice -y && libreoffice --version

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Notice the difference between the versions of LibreOffice installed using Method #1 and #2.

Advantages

Up-to-date

You get the most recent release of LibreOffice.

Full Support

The LibreOffice PPA is maintained by the LibreOffice team, ensuring full support for the latest versions.

Limitations

Potential Stability Issues

Sometimes, newer versions may introduce bugs, though this is rare for stable releases.

Method 3: Installing LibreOffice Using Snap

Ubuntu 24.04 supports Snap packages, a universal Linux packaging system that allows you to install software in a sandboxed environment. LibreOffice is available as a Snap package, and it’s a good option if you prefer a more isolated installation.

Install Snap (if not already installed)

Snap comes pre-installed on Ubuntu 24.04, but if it’s missing, install it with:

sudo apt install snapd

Install LibreOffice via Snap

Once Snap is installed, you can install LibreOffice with the following command:

sudo snap install libreoffice

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Check LibreOffice Version

After the installation completes, check the version by typing:

libreoffice --version

Advantages

Self-contained

Snap packages are bundled with all dependencies, meaning they work consistently across various Linux distributions.

Automatic Updates

Snap packages are automatically updated in the background.

Limitations

Larger Size

Snap packages tend to be larger because they bundle all dependencies.

Performance

Some users report that Snap packages can be slower to start compared to APT installations.

Method 4: Installing LibreOffice Using Flatpak

Similar to Snap, Flatpak is another universal Linux package format. If you’re using a Flatpak-supported environment, LibreOffice is available on Flathub, which provides an easy way to install and update the software.

Install Flatpak

If Flatpak is not installed, use the following command:

sudo apt install flatpak -y

Add Flathub Repository

To access the official repository of Flatpak apps, add the Flathub repository:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Install LibreOffice

Now, install LibreOffice using the following command:

flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

Looking for matches…
Required runtime for org.libreoffice.LibreOffice/x86_64/stable (runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform/x86_64/24.08) found in remote flathub
Do you want to install it? [Y/n]: Y

org.libreoffice.LibreOffice permissions:
    ipc                   network                 fallback-x11       pulseaudio       wayland       x11       dri      file access [1]
    dbus access [2]       bus ownership [3]

    [1] host, xdg-config/fontconfig:ro, xdg-config/gtk-3.0, xdg-run/gvfsd
    [2] com.canonical.AppMenu.Registrar, org.gtk.vfs.*
    [3] org.libreoffice.LibreOfficeIpc0


        ID                                             Branch                Op            Remote             Download
 1. [✓] org.freedesktop.Platform.GL.default            24.08                 i             flathub            156.1 MB / 156.3 MB
 2. [✓] org.freedesktop.Platform.GL.default            24.08extra            i             flathub             25.1 MB / 156.3 MB
 3. [✓] org.freedesktop.Platform.Locale                24.08                 i             flathub             18.6 kB / 379.7 MB
 4. [✓] org.freedesktop.Platform.openh264              2.4.1                 i             flathub            920.7 kB / 976.5 kB
 5. [✓] org.freedesktop.Platform                       24.08                 i             flathub            207.3 MB / 261.4 MB
 6. [✓] org.libreoffice.LibreOffice.Locale             stable                i             flathub              1.4 MB / 86.4 MB
 7. [✓] org.libreoffice.LibreOffice                    stable                i             flathub            300.0 MB / 320.8 MB

Installation complete.

Run LibreOffice

After installation, you can run LibreOffice via:

flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

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Advantages

Portable

Like Snap, Flatpak applications are packaged with their dependencies, ensuring they work the same on all distributions.

Isolated Environment

Flatpak also provides isolation, improving security.

Limitations

Size

Like Snap, Flatpak packages can be large.

Performance

Some users report slight delays in launching Flatpak apps compared to traditional packages.

Comparison Table: Different Installation Methods for LibreOffice on Ubuntu 24.04

Method	Installation Command	Pros	Cons
APT (Official Ubuntu Repositories)	sudo apt install libreoffice	– Fast and easy – Stable and well-tested	– May not be the latest version
PPA (Latest Version)	sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa sudo apt install libreoffice	– Latest version – Full support from LibreOffice team	– Potential for minor instability with new releases
Snap	sudo snap install libreoffice	– Bundled dependencies – Automatic updates – Easy install	– Larger package size – Slower startup times
Flatpak	flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice	– Portable – Isolated environment – Cross-distro support	– Larger package size – Slower performance