The Free Office Suite the Community Has Always Dreamed Of for Twelve Years
The Document Foundation has announced version 4.0 of LibreOffice, the free office suite. LibreOffice 4.0 is the first version that reflects the goals set by the community at the time of the announcement in September 2010: a cleaner and lighter code base, an enhanced set of features, and improved interoperability.
This version brings together improvements for everyday office work, document compatibility, performance, and the user interface. It also keeps LibreOffice focused on free software and community-driven development.
LibreOffice 4.0: New Features
LibreOffice 4.0 offers a host of new features:
- Integration with content from multiple document management systems - including Alfresco, IBM FileNet P8, Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Nuxeo, OpenText, SAP NetWeaver, and other Cloud Services - through the CMIS standard.
- Improved interoperability with DOCX and RTF, thanks to several new features and enhancements such as the ability to import handwritten annotations and fix text range comments.
- Ability to import Microsoft Publisher documents, and improved Visio import filters with the addition of version 2013.
- Additional user interface enhancements, including integration and support for themes to give a personalized look to LibreOffice.
- Introduction of widget layout techniques via dialog windows, making it easier to translate, resize, and hide user interface elements, reducing code complexity, and laying the groundwork for a greatly improved user interface.
- Different header and footer on the first page of a Writer document, without the need for a separate page style.
- Several performance improvements for Calc, as well as new features such as exporting charts as images (JPG and PNG) and new spreadsheet functions as defined in ODF OpenFormula.
- The first version of the Impress Remote app for Android, supported only on certain Linux distributions. (Coming soon to all platforms: Windows, MacOS X, and all Linux distributions.)
- Significant performance improvements when loading and saving many types of documents, notably improvements for ODS, XLSX, and RTF files.
- Improved through code contributions: Gerrit, an internet-based code review system, makes it easier for projects using the Git version control system.
These changes cover several practical uses. Writer gains simpler first-page header and footer management. Calc receives performance improvements, chart export to JPG and PNG, and new spreadsheet functions based on ODF OpenFormula. Impress is linked to the first Android Impress Remote app, with the platform support described above. The import improvements for Microsoft Publisher, Visio, DOCX, and RTF help users work with documents created in other office environments.
LibreOffice 4.0: A Thriving Community
In less than 30 months, LibreOffice has experienced phenomenal growth to become the largest independent open-source project focused on office productivity for end users. With its copyleft license, it has attracted over 500 developers, three-quarters of whom are independent volunteers.
"LibreOffice 4.0 is an important milestone in interoperability and an excellent foundation for our ongoing work to improve the user interface,” explains Florian Effenberger, chair of the board. “Our project is not only capable of attracting new developers on a regular basis, but it also creates a transparent platform for collaboration based on a strong ethic of Free Software, where developer-sponsored companies and volunteers work towards the same goal."
How to Get LibreOffice 4.0
LibreOffice 4.0 is immediately available for download at the following link: https://en.libre-office.fr/staticpages/index.php/download-libreoffice-for-free.
Extensions for LibreOffice can be found at the following link: http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center.
The download link above is the official download page mentioned for LibreOffice 4.0. The extensions link provides access to add-ons for LibreOffice through the LibreOffice extension center.
Support The Document Foundation
Users of LibreOffice, advocates of free software, and community members can support The Document Foundation by making a donation at http://donate.libreoffice.org. The funds raised will be used to develop infrastructure and support marketing activities to raise awareness of the project both globally and locally.
Summary of LibreOffice 4.0 Improvements
| Area | Improvements mentioned in LibreOffice 4.0 |
|---|---|
| Document management | Integration with Alfresco, IBM FileNet P8, Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Nuxeo, OpenText, SAP NetWeaver, and other Cloud Services through the CMIS standard. |
| Interoperability | Improved DOCX and RTF support, import of handwritten annotations, text range comment fixes, Microsoft Publisher import, and improved Visio import filters with version 2013. |
| User interface | Theme support, dialog-window widget layout techniques, and changes designed to make interface elements easier to translate, resize, and hide. |
| Writer | Different header and footer on the first page of a Writer document without creating a separate page style. |
| Calc | Performance improvements, chart export as JPG and PNG, and new spreadsheet functions as defined in ODF OpenFormula. |
| Impress | First version of the Impress Remote app for Android, supported only on certain Linux distributions, with support announced as coming soon to Windows, MacOS X, and all Linux distributions. |
| Performance | Faster loading and saving for many document types, including improvements for ODS, XLSX, and RTF files. |
| Development | Use of Gerrit, an internet-based code review system for projects using the Git version control system. |
FAQ About LibreOffice 4.0
What is LibreOffice 4.0?
LibreOffice 4.0 is version 4.0 of LibreOffice, the free office suite announced by The Document Foundation. It includes a cleaner and lighter code base, an enhanced set of features, and improved interoperability.
What are the main new features in LibreOffice 4.0?
The article mentions CMIS integration with several document management systems, improved DOCX and RTF interoperability, Microsoft Publisher import, improved Visio import filters, theme support, Writer first-page header and footer changes, Calc performance improvements, chart export as JPG and PNG, and the first Android Impress Remote app.
Which LibreOffice modules are mentioned in this version?
The article mentions Writer, Calc, and Impress. Writer gains easier first-page header and footer handling, Calc gains performance and spreadsheet improvements, and Impress is associated with the first version of the Impress Remote app for Android.
Where can LibreOffice 4.0 be downloaded?
LibreOffice 4.0 is available for download at https://en.libre-office.fr/staticpages/index.php/download-libreoffice-for-free.
Where can LibreOffice extensions be found?
Extensions for LibreOffice can be found at http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center.
Conclusion
LibreOffice 4.0 brings together new features, improved interoperability, performance improvements, user interface enhancements, and community contributions. The version is available through the download link provided above, with extensions also available through the LibreOffice extension center.
