This guide provides a clear path for beginners looking to upgrade to the newest LibreOffice version on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Windows.
LibreOffice is a widely-used, free office suite, offering programs like Calc (spreadsheet), Writer (document processor), Impress (presentation), Draw (drawing), and a Math module. It’s compatible with file formats like DOCX, PPTX, and XLSX, making it a good alternative to Microsoft Office. This suite is derived from Apache OpenOffice and has many contributors.
Upgrade to Latest LibreOffice
LibreOffice updates its versioning twice yearly, using a YY.MM format.
The current stable version recommended for business use is LibreOffice 24.8.x. For businesses, a tailored LibreOffice product is available.
It’s generally best to use the LibreOffice version provided by your distribution unless you specifically need the latest features.
Upgrade to Latest LibreOffice in Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Other Ubuntu-Based Distributions
Via PPA
The most effective way to receive updates is through the LibreOffice PPA.
Step 1: Open a terminal in Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
Step 2: Add the official LibreOffice PPA repository.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa
Step 3: Update your system’s package list and install LibreOffice.
sudo apt update && sudo apt install libreoffice
Step 4: To remove the PPA and revert to the default version, run the following commands sequentially.
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/ppa
sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:libreoffice/ppa
Via Flatpak
Flatpak offers another way to install the newest LibreOffice alongside your distribution’s version.
Step 1: Set up Flatpak on your system if you haven’t already.
Step 2: Install LibreOffice via Flatpak using the following command:
flatpak install org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
Alternatively, you can download LibreOffice as a Flatpak.
Via Snap
You can install LibreOffice as a Snap package. Snap packages work across supported Linux distributions. This allows you to run the latest LibreOffice version alongside your existing installation. Be aware that using two versions simultaneously might cause file association and other issues.
You can download LibreOffice as a Snap.
Upgrade for Windows
Step 1: Download the latest LibreOffice version from this page.
Step 2: Run the installer. Your existing version will be uninstalled during the process.
For a detailed guide, refer to instructions on how to install LibreOffice for Windows.
Upgrade Troubleshooting
If you experience any problems or system instability post-upgrade, a clean install is recommended. Download the latest version from this link and install it. On Ubuntu or Linux Mint, remove the existing version before installing the latest one.
If you encounter issues upgrading to the latest LibreOffice, consider performing a clean install.