LibreOffice is a popular open-source office suite known for its flexibility and privacy. However, it does not natively offer artificial intelligence features. To address this gap, John Balis developed localwriter, a local AI extension for LibreOffice Writer that enables users to leverage generative AI locally, without relying on an internet connection or cloud services.
Designed for writing and editing tasks inside Writer, localwriter focuses on local text generation, text transformation and user control. It works with local AI tools already mentioned in the project, such as text-generation-webui and Ollama, so users can keep their documents and prompts on their own machine.
Overview of the localwriter Extension
localwriter is an innovative extension that integrates local AI models to assist with writing and revising text in LibreOffice Writer. It is built on text-generation-webui and Ollama, allowing users to leverage various language models while maintaining full control over their data.
In practical use, the extension adds AI-assisted writing commands directly to the Writer workflow. A user can select text in a document, run a command and ask the local model to continue, summarize, translate or rewrite the selected content. This keeps the process close to the usual way people work in a word processor.
This extension offers two main features:
-
Extend Selection
This feature allows generating text based on a selection.
Possible uses:- Continue a sentence or paragraph from existing text.
- Draft an email or document from a brief prompt.
- Summarize a selected passage.
-
Edit Selection
A dialog box allows giving specific instructions on transforming the text.
Examples of use:- Adapt the tone of a message.
- Translate a passage into another language.
- Rewrite text by simplifying or enriching its content.
The Extend Selection command is useful when the selected text should be used as a starting point. The model can continue the idea, expand a short note or produce a first draft from a limited prompt.
The Edit Selection command is intended for changing existing text. Instead of replacing the whole document workflow, it works on selected passages and applies the instruction provided by the user.
Project Genesis
John Balis designed localwriter in July 2024 with the goal of integrating local artificial intelligence into LibreOffice. The idea was to harness the advantages of an offline model, ensuring continuous availability, better privacy, and complete control over the tool without depending on external APIs.
He advocates for a vision where users maintain control over their AI, without the risk of data leaks or unintentional changes to the model used.
This local approach means that the extension is designed around tools running on the user’s own computer. The document content selected in LibreOffice Writer is sent to the local API configured by the user, rather than to a cloud service.
Installing and Configuring localwriter
Installing localwriter is straightforward and accessible:
- Download the Extension
- Obtain the latest version of the localwriter.oxt file from the official LibreOffice extensions website.
- Install in LibreOffice
- Open LibreOffice Writer and go to the Extension Manager (Tools > Extension Manager).
- Click on Add, select the
.oxtfile, and then enable the extension.
- Configure the Local API
- localwriter requires text-generation-webui or Ollama.
- Ensure that the local OpenAI API is running on localhost:5000.
- For Ollama, specify the language model in the extension settings.
Once these steps are completed, localwriter is ready to use in LibreOffice Writer.
The installation uses the standard LibreOffice extension format, .oxt. The configuration step is important because localwriter needs a local AI backend before it can generate or edit text. Without text-generation-webui or Ollama configured as described above, the commands cannot return generated content.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Use
To enhance the user experience, the extension offers keyboard shortcuts:
| Function | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Extend Selection | Ctrl + Q |
| Edit Selection | Ctrl + E |
These shortcuts allow for a seamless integration of AI into the writing process.
They also reduce the number of clicks needed during editing. After selecting a passage in LibreOffice Writer, the user can start text extension or text editing directly from the keyboard.
Current Limitations and Planned Developments
localwriter currently supports only LibreOffice Writer, but support for LibreOffice Calc is in development.
Other limitations include:
- No Streaming: real-time text generation is not yet available.
- No Document Chat: interactions are only possible through available commands.
The extension is open source and its development is active. Many users are already suggesting improvements via the project repository. Contributions are welcome, whether to develop new features, test the tool, or support the project through donations.
These limitations mean that the current workflow is based on selected text and explicit commands. The user selects content, chooses an action and receives the generated or edited result. The article does not describe a continuous chat interface inside the whole document.
License and Open Source
localwriter is published under the MPL 2.0 License, ensuring complete transparency. Some elements of its code are under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.
The open-source licensing information is relevant for users who want to review, adapt or contribute to the project. It also fits the LibreOffice ecosystem, where extensions can extend the office suite while remaining transparent about their code and usage conditions.
FAQ about localwriter for LibreOffice Writer
What is localwriter?
localwriter is an extension for LibreOffice Writer that integrates local generative AI features for writing and editing selected text.
Does localwriter require an internet connection?
The extension is designed to work with local AI tools and does not rely on cloud services for its described workflow. It requires a local setup using text-generation-webui or Ollama.
Which LibreOffice module does localwriter support?
localwriter currently supports LibreOffice Writer. Support for LibreOffice Calc is in development.
What are the main features of localwriter?
The two main features are Extend Selection, used to generate text from a selection, and Edit Selection, used to transform selected text with specific instructions.
Which shortcuts are available in localwriter?
The extension provides Ctrl + Q for Extend Selection and Ctrl + E for Edit Selection.
Conclusion
localwriter represents a significant advance for LibreOffice users looking to integrate local generative AI without compromising their privacy. With its text extension and modification features, it simplifies writing and editing in LibreOffice Writer while ensuring autonomy and control over data.
With this extension, LibreOffice is moving closer to intelligent office suites, while remaining true to its open-source and privacy-respecting model.
