LibreOffice 2021, also known as LibreOffice 7, is a powerful office suite. Its clear interface and advanced tools allow you to unleash your creativity and enhance your productivity. LibreOffice integrates several applications that make it the most advanced Libre & Open Source office suite on the market: Writer for word processing, Calc for spreadsheets, Impress for presentations, Draw for drawing and flowcharts, Base for databases and database management, and Math for editing mathematical formulas.
This step-by-step guide explains how to download and install LibreOffice 2021 while keeping the existing information, preferences and installation choices already described below. It is intended for users who want a simple installation, as well as for those who prefer to choose specific components, interface languages, dictionaries or extensions during setup.
To download the latest version, visit the LibreOffice download page.
Installation Steps
You do not need to uninstall a previous version of LibreOffice. If you have an existing installation of LibreOffice, all your preferences will be preserved, and this old installation will simply be overwritten.
This means you can start the LibreOffice installer directly after downloading it. The setup process guides you through each choice, including the installation type, optional user information, components, Microsoft Office document associations and desktop shortcut creation.
1. Download the LibreOffice Installer
Download and save the installer to a directory of your choice, such as your desktop. Navigate to the chosen directory and double-click on the installer. A welcome dialog will open, informing you that the installation process is about to start.
Click "Next".
2. Enter your name and organization
You will see a dialog box prompting you to enter your name and the name of your organization. This is completely optional. Fill in your name if you wish, or leave the field blank. You can also choose if all users of this computer should have access to this installation of LibreOffice (this is the default choice). Make your selection.
When you are ready, press "Next".
3. Choose your desired installation type
Another dialog box opens giving you the choice between a default installation or a specific location and components. If you want a default installation, click "Next". If you want to make specific choices, click "Custom" and then "Next".
The default installation is suitable when you want LibreOffice to install with the standard options. The custom installation is useful when you want to select particular components, languages, dictionaries or extensions.
4. Choose the components for a custom installation
If you want a custom installation, you will now choose the components.
The components may include modules, additional filters, but also language packs. In fact, you can choose the interface language to install. English and your operating system's language are selected by default. You can select the ones you need. Similarly, all dictionaries are selected by default. You may wish to select only those you need. You can also deselect any extensions you do not need. Make your selection and press "Next".
During this step, LibreOffice lets you adapt the installation to your needs. For example, language packs affect the interface languages available, while dictionaries help with spelling and language tools. Additional filters can be useful when you work with different document formats.
5. Tell LibreOffice if you want it to open Microsoft Office documents by default
Another dialog box opens asking you to choose whether Microsoft Office documents should open with LibreOffice. By default, this function is not active. If you want LibreOffice to open Microsoft Office documents in the future, check all three boxes.
This setting controls whether common Microsoft Office document types are associated with LibreOffice. If you enable it, those files will open with LibreOffice when you double-click them. If you leave it disabled, your current file associations remain unchanged.
6. Create a shortcut on your desktop
Another dialog box opens asking if a shortcut to open LibreOffice should be placed on your desktop. The default option is to create this shortcut. Make your choice and then click "Install".
A desktop shortcut gives you quick access to LibreOffice after installation. You can keep the default option if you want to launch the office suite from the desktop, or deselect it if you prefer to open applications from another menu or launcher.
7. LibreOffice is being installed
When the installation process is complete, a final dialog box opens informing you that LibreOffice is now installed. Press "Finish".
At this point, the installer has copied the selected components and applied the choices made during setup. If a previous version was already installed, your preferences are preserved as indicated above.
8. LibreOffice is ready
Enjoy using it.
After installation, you can use the main LibreOffice applications according to the type of work you want to create or edit:
- Writer is used for word processing and text documents.
- Calc is used for spreadsheets.
- Impress is used for presentations.
- Draw is used for drawing and flowcharts.
- Base is used for databases and database management.
- Math is used for editing mathematical formulas.
Quick summary of the LibreOffice installation process
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Download | Save the LibreOffice installer from the download page to a directory of your choice. |
| Start setup | Double-click the installer and click "Next" when the welcome dialog appears. |
| User information | Enter your name and organization if you want, or leave the fields blank. |
| Installation type | Choose the default installation or select "Custom" for specific choices. |
| Components | Select modules, filters, language packs, dictionaries and extensions if using a custom installation. |
| File associations | Choose whether Microsoft Office documents should open with LibreOffice by default. |
| Shortcut | Choose whether to create a desktop shortcut, then click "Install". |
| Finish | Press "Finish" when the installation is complete. |
FAQ about downloading and installing LibreOffice 2021
Do I need to uninstall a previous version of LibreOffice?
No. You do not need to uninstall a previous version of LibreOffice. If LibreOffice is already installed, your preferences will be preserved and the old installation will be overwritten.
Where should I save the LibreOffice installer?
You can save the installer to a directory of your choice, such as your desktop. After saving it, navigate to that directory and double-click the installer to start the setup process.
Is it mandatory to enter a name and organization?
No. Entering your name and organization is optional. You can fill in your name if you wish, or leave the field blank.
Can LibreOffice open Microsoft Office documents by default?
Yes. During installation, a dialog box asks whether Microsoft Office documents should open with LibreOffice. This option is not active by default. To enable it, check all three boxes when prompted.
What can I choose during a custom installation?
During a custom installation, you can choose components such as modules, additional filters, language packs, dictionaries and extensions. English and your operating system's language are selected by default.
Conclusion
Downloading and installing LibreOffice 2021 is a guided process. You can keep the default settings for a simple setup, or use the custom installation to select components, languages, dictionaries and extensions. Once installed, LibreOffice is ready to use with Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math.
