Introduction to LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 is now available for download and marks an important milestone ahead of the final version expected in early February 2026. This pre-release is aimed at all users who rely on LibreOffice daily and wish to get a head start on the upcoming developments. It also allows users to concretely test the new features, as the community needs feedback to stabilize the final version.
This beta version is mainly intended for testing. It gives users a practical way to try the changes planned for LibreOffice 26.2 while keeping their current stable installation available for everyday work.
Key Enhancements
Since the development of LibreOffice 26.2 commenced in June 2025, the project has evolved significantly. Over 400 code changes have been implemented, and more than 100 issues have been resolved. Thus, this Beta1 version brings noticeable improvements across Writer, Calc, Impress, Base, and the core of the software.
Overview of New Features
In this article, I provide a clear and accessible overview of the main new features of LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1, focusing on practical uses and benefits for the general public.
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1: What is the Purpose of This Test Version
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 is a pre-release version. It is not intended for production use, but for validating new features before the final release. However, it can be installed without major risks, as it operates alongside the stable version already on your computer.
This version is available for:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
It installs separately, allowing you to test new functions without disrupting your usual documents. If you encounter an issue, the community strongly encourages reporting it via Bugzilla, as every piece of feedback improves the software's quality.
LibreOffice is based on a community project. Users play a key role in the testing phase, as their feedback helps fix the last bugs before the final version.
For a safer test, it is preferable to use copies of documents rather than original working files. This keeps the beta test separate from your usual office tasks while still allowing you to check real document behavior.
Writer: Visible Improvements for Text Editing
LibreOffice Writer benefits from numerous enhancements in this version 26.2 Beta1. These primarily aim to improve layout consistency, change tracking, and compatibility with Microsoft Word formats.
Smarter Object and Table Management
Anchored objects are no longer automatically selected after pasting. This change prevents accidental shifts, improving precision during layout. If you prefer the old behavior, an advanced option allows you to reactivate it.
Floating tables also gain stability. They work better with the “keep with next” or “don’t split paragraph” options. Furthermore, these tables can now be split into multiple floating tables, enhancing export to the DOCX format.
These changes are useful when preparing reports, manuals, forms, or documents that combine text, tables and positioned objects. They help keep the page structure more predictable during editing.
More Reliable Change Tracking
Change tracking has seen improvements on several fronts. Writer now retains old direct formatting during changes for both ODT and DOCX files. You can also precisely choose which changes to accept when multiple changes are interconnected.
These adjustments make collaborative work more readable, especially for complex documents or exchanges between users of different software.
Better Language and Typography Management
LibreOffice Writer now accounts for line spacing in fields' backgrounds. This prevents certain letters, such as “g,” “p,” or “ç,” from being partially hidden.
Another significant advancement is the “Start” and “End” alignment of paragraphs. This option facilitates the management of multilingual documents, as it automatically adapts to the text's direction. Writer can also detect and automatically apply RTL text direction during input, simplifying use for languages that are written right to left.
Calc: More Power for Spreadsheets
LibreOffice Calc enjoys major improvements, both in features and performance. These enhancements benefit both casual users and more advanced profiles.
Increased Connectors and Compatibility
Calc now integrates connectors, accessible through the shapes insertion menu. This function facilitates the creation of diagrams or visual relationships directly within spreadsheets.
Compatibility with Excel also progresses. The support for the Biff12 clipboard format allows for the pasting of large quantities of data from Excel without previous limitations.
More Accurate and Consistent Sorting
The sort dialog has been improved. When natural sorting is enabled, you can now choose to treat decimal separators as normal characters. This allows for correctly sorting IP addresses, for example.
Sort settings, such as the language used, are now saved within the file. Thus, behavior remains the same when reopening the document.
Increased Performance
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 significantly enhances Calc's speed:
- Smoother scrolling with numerous hidden columns
- Faster manipulation of sheets containing many shapes
- Optimized duplicate removal
- Quicker management of tracked changes
These gains make Calc more comfortable with large files, which is crucial for complex tables or professional uses.
In daily use, these improvements can make spreadsheet work easier when cleaning data, reviewing shared workbooks, creating diagrams, or handling sheets that contain many visible and hidden elements.
Impress: Enhanced Multimedia Playback on Windows
Impress evolves mainly on Windows, integrating Microsoft Media Foundation APIs. This technology improves playback of common video and audio files without the need for external codecs.
This means better compatibility for presentations containing media. Videos integrate more easily and play more reliably during presentations.
For users who prepare slide decks with embedded audio or video, this change reduces the need for extra configuration on Windows systems.
Base: A True Multi-User Mode
LibreOffice Base makes significant progress. It truly becomes multi-user, making collaborative work on shared databases easier.
This development is particularly relevant for small organizations or associations that use Base to manage shared data without heavy infrastructure.
Base can be used to organize lists, contacts, records, inventories, or other structured information. The multi-user improvement mentioned in this beta helps several people work with shared data more comfortably.
Charts and General Performance
Charts also benefit from notable improvements. Hovering over colors in the sidebar now displays a real-time preview in the active chart. This function simplifies visual selection.
Additionally, some OOXML chart styles can now be imported and exported without loss. Even though these styles cannot yet be modified within the interface, compatibility is improving.
Performance issues related to 3D charts have also been corrected, enhancing overall smoothness.
Import, Export, and Formats: Clear Progress
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 strengthens file format management, an essential point for interoperability.
Markdown and EPUB
LibreOffice can now export to Markdown format. Importing from Markdown is also supported, whether via a file or the clipboard. This new feature interests web writers and users of lightweight formats.
EPUB export becomes much faster and displays a progress bar. This improvement makes creating e-books more comfortable.
XML and JSON in Calc
XML and JSON documents containing tabular data are automatically parsed and imported into Calc. Each dataset is mapped to a distinct sheet, where possible.
This feature facilitates the exploitation of structured data, even if the result depends on the source file's structure.
Interface and Usability: More Modern and Fluid
The interface of LibreOffice continues to evolve gradually. Several dialog boxes now use more modern native components, which improve readability and visual consistency.
A setting also allows you to choose between horizontal or vertical tabs in the settings windows. The “Go to” dialog boxes are now asynchronous, enhancing responsiveness.
Another practical detail: it is now possible to insert a hyperlink directly from the context menu when text is selected.
Security and Encryption: ODF Further Strengthened
LibreOffice 26.2 introduces a new ODF encryption mode based on a more robust approach. This system uses authenticated encryption and a key derivation method that is more resistant to brute-force attacks.
However, this mode remains optional, as it requires a recent version of LibreOffice to open protected files. By default, traditional encryption remains enabled for compatibility.
System Compatibility and Technical Changes
Here are a few important points to know before testing this version:
- LibreOffice 26.2 requires macOS 11 or later
- On Linux, the provided versions target a minimum x86-64-v2 architecture
- Some APIs are evolving, particularly for paragraph alignment
These adjustments ensure better performance and a stronger technical foundation for future versions.
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 Feature Summary
| Area | Main changes mentioned |
|---|---|
| Writer | Improved anchored objects, floating tables, change tracking, language direction and typography handling |
| Calc | Connectors, Biff12 clipboard support, improved sorting, faster scrolling, duplicate removal and tracked changes |
| Impress | Enhanced multimedia playback on Windows with Microsoft Media Foundation APIs |
| Base | Multi-user mode for shared database work |
| Formats | Markdown import and export, faster EPUB export, XML and JSON import into Calc |
| Security | Optional ODF encryption mode with authenticated encryption and stronger key derivation |
Why Test LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 Now
Test LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 to discover the new features in advance and also contribute directly to the project. Every piece of feedback counts, as LibreOffice relies on a community of dedicated volunteers and developers.
If you use Writer, Calc, or Impress daily, this version gives you a clear preview of what awaits you in early 2026. Improvements enhance stability, compatibility, and user comfort.
To report a bug in the beta version: https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=LibreOffice&format=guided
LibreOffice continues to evolve in the right direction. This version 26.2 Beta1 clearly shows this, as it combines solid technical advancements and tangible adjustments for users. Testing today means participating in a more reliable free software tomorrow.
FAQ about LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1
What is LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1?
LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 is a pre-release version used to test new features, performance improvements and compatibility changes before the final version expected in early February 2026.
Can LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1 be used for production work?
No. This version is not intended for production use. It is designed for testing, although it can be installed alongside the stable version already present on your computer.
Which systems are mentioned for LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1?
The article mentions availability for Windows, macOS and Linux. It also specifies that LibreOffice 26.2 requires macOS 11 or later and that Linux builds target a minimum x86-64-v2 architecture.
Which LibreOffice modules receive improvements in this beta?
The article mentions improvements across Writer, Calc, Impress, Base, charts, import and export formats, the interface, security and general performance.
How can users report a bug in LibreOffice 26.2 Beta1?
Users can report a bug through Bugzilla using the official link provided in the article: https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=LibreOffice&format=guided.
