LibreOffice 4.2, the free and open-source office suite, is now available with enhanced performance, interoperability, and improved integration with Microsoft Windows.
Here are some of the new features announced:
LibreOffice 4.2: main new features
Calc has been completely revamped to deliver better results with large amounts of data, particularly when calculating cell values and importing large complex tables.
This improvement is useful for users who work with spreadsheets containing many rows, formulas or imported tables. Calc is designed to handle these operations more efficiently in LibreOffice 4.2, especially when working with large amounts of data.
Interoperability with Microsoft OOXML, especially for DOCX, as well as RTF inheritance, has also been significantly improved. Additionally, new import filters for AbiWord documents and Apple Keynote presentations have been added. Furthermore, thanks to better integration with Windows 7 and 8, thumbnails of open documents are now grouped by application, and the list of recent documents is displayed in the taskbar.
These improvements help users open, edit and exchange documents in several common formats. The improved support for Microsoft OOXML, DOCX and RTF is especially relevant for users who need to collaborate with people using different office software.
LibreOffice 4.2 introduces a new startup screen, featuring a clean layout that allows for better use of available space - even on smaller screens - and displays a preview of the most recently used documents.
The startup screen gives quick access to recent documents. Its clean layout is also designed to make better use of the available screen area, including on smaller displays.
On the mobile front, LibreOffice now supports a remote control Impress for iOS – this functionality was already available for controlling Impress remotely with an Android device. This allows users to manage their visual presentations on a laptop using the screen of an iPhone or iPad. The application is currently under review by Apple and will be announced as soon as it becomes available on the iTunes Store.
With Impress remote control, presentations can be managed from a mobile device while the slideshow runs on a laptop. In LibreOffice 4.2, this feature is mentioned for iOS, while remote control with an Android device was already available.
More information about LibreOffice 4.2 features
All the new features of LibreOffice 4.2, including those not listed here, are summarized on this page.
Feature summary
| Area | Improvement mentioned in LibreOffice 4.2 |
|---|---|
| Calc | Revamped to deliver better results with large amounts of data, especially when calculating cell values and importing large complex tables. |
| Document interoperability | Improved Microsoft OOXML support, especially for DOCX, and improved RTF inheritance. |
| Import filters | New import filters for AbiWord documents and Apple Keynote presentations. |
| Windows integration | Better integration with Windows 7 and 8, including grouped thumbnails and recent documents in the taskbar. |
| Startup screen | New clean layout with better use of space and previews of recently used documents. |
| Impress | Remote control support for iOS, with Android remote control already available. |
Meet the Community
Meet the Community
- In early February 2014, the LibreOffice community will gather at FOSDEM 2014 in Brussels, where developers will be present.
- In early March 2014, The Document Foundation will be present at CeBIT in Hanover to showcase LibreOffice 4.2: Hall 6, Stand H14.
These events give users and contributors an opportunity to meet the LibreOffice community and learn more about LibreOffice 4.2 directly from developers and representatives present at the events.
Download LibreOffice 4.2
LibreOffice 4.2 is immediately available for download from the following link:
https://en.libre-office.fr/staticpages/index.php/download-libreoffice-for-free
Extensions for LibreOffice are available at the following link:
http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center
Users who want to extend LibreOffice can use extensions to add functions to the office suite. The extension link above provides access to the LibreOffice extension center.
FAQ about LibreOffice 4.2
What is LibreOffice 4.2?
LibreOffice 4.2 is a free and open-source office suite version that includes enhanced performance, improved interoperability and better integration with Microsoft Windows.
What changed in Calc in LibreOffice 4.2?
Calc has been completely revamped to deliver better results with large amounts of data, especially when calculating cell values and importing large complex tables.
Which document formats are mentioned in the LibreOffice 4.2 improvements?
The article mentions improved interoperability with Microsoft OOXML, especially DOCX, improved RTF inheritance, and new import filters for AbiWord documents and Apple Keynote presentations.
What Windows improvements are included in LibreOffice 4.2?
LibreOffice 4.2 improves integration with Windows 7 and 8. Thumbnails of open documents are grouped by application, and the list of recent documents is displayed in the taskbar.
Does LibreOffice 4.2 include Impress remote control support?
Yes. LibreOffice 4.2 supports a remote control for Impress on iOS, while remote control with an Android device was already available.
Conclusion
LibreOffice 4.2 brings improvements to Calc, document interoperability, Windows integration, the startup screen and Impress remote control. The version is available for download from the link provided above, and extensions are available from the LibreOffice extension center.
