LibreOffice download for Windows

LibreOffice is a complete office suite that costs nothing. You get six programs in one install: Writer for documents, Calc for spreadsheets, Impress for presentations, Draw for diagrams and simple layouts, Base for databases and Math for formulas. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and it is developed by The Document Foundation, a non-profit, with code under the Mozilla Public License.

Which LibreOffice to download

The download page usually offers two versions at once.

• The newer one is the latest stable release, with the newest features.
• The older one has been out longer and has had more fixes. If you would rather have fewer surprises than new features, on a work computer for example, take this one.

Both are free and both get updates. For Windows you then choose:

• x86-64 for ordinary Intel and AMD PCs.
• ARM64 for Arm-based Windows laptops.

There is no 32-bit build. LibreOffice supports Windows 10 and 11, as well as Windows Server, and installing it needs administrator rights.

Two extra downloads you might want

• The help pack. Help opens on the web by default. If you work offline, install the separate help pack for your language.
• Java. Most of LibreOffice does not need it. Some features do, Base in particular, so install Java only if a feature asks for it.

Working with Microsoft Office files

LibreOffice opens and saves DOCX, XLSX and PPTX files. Simple documents travel back and forth without trouble. Complex ones, with heavy formatting, tracked changes or elaborate charts, can shift a little, so check anything important before you send it.

A few settings make life easier:

• Save in Office format by default. Tools, Options, Load/Save, General has an "Always save as" setting for each document type. Choose the Word or Excel format if you swap files with Office users.
• Install the fonts your colleagues use. Most layout surprises are really missing fonts.
• Macros are different. LibreOffice has its own macro language. VBA macros from Excel run only in part, and often not at all.

A familiar look, if you want it

The classic menus and toolbars are the default. If you are used to the Office ribbon, View, User Interface, Tabbed gives you something very similar.

Common questions

Is LibreOffice really free for businesses?

Yes. There is no licence fee for any use. The project is funded by donations, which you will see mentioned on its site.

Is it fully compatible with Microsoft Word?

For everyday documents, yes. For complex layouts, macros or files that pass through many hands, expect occasional differences and check the result.

Newer or older version: which should I pick?

The newer one for the latest features, the older one for a more conservative setup. Both are maintained.

Do I need Java?

Only for some features, mainly the Base database. Writer, Calc and Impress work without it.