How to set up LibreOffice Writer to work like Microsoft Word

If you're planning to switch from Microsoft Word to LibreOffice Writer but still want a similar experience, this guide will help you customize this text editor to closely resemble Microsoft Word.

LibreOffice Writer is highly customizable, which makes it easier to create an environment similar to that of Microsoft Word. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to set up LibreOffice Writer to run like Microsoft Word.

Table of Contents

1. Change the Ribbon Menu

Customize LibreOffice Writer to resemble Microsoft Word

Transitioning from Microsoft's Ribbon menu can be challenging. To modify the interface:

  1. Navigate to View > User Interface and select Tabbed.
  2. Click Apply to Writer.
  3. For icon styles, download the .oxt files from OneDrive and follow the steps in the Extensions section.
  4. Restart LibreOffice to view the changes.
  5. Go to Tools > Options > LibreOffice > View and select Office13 from the Icon Style menu.

2. Set Default Apps for the System

Set LibreOffice as default app

Default apps settings in Windows 10

To prevent documents from opening with old applications:

  1. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Choose default apps by file type.
  2. Set LibreOffice Writer as the default for the following file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf, .odt.
  3. Click Apply to confirm your settings.

3. Set Default Settings for the Document

Default save settings in LibreOffice

To ensure compatibility with Microsoft Word:

  1. Go to Tools > Options > Load/Save > General and select .docx for default saves.
  2. Set OneDrive as the default save location under Tools > Options > LibreOffice > Paths.
  3. Change the default font to Calibri through Tools > Options > LibreOffice Writer > Basic Fonts.

4. Select File Compatibility

File compatibility settings in LibreOffice

To improve file compatibility:

  1. Access Tools > Options > Load/Save and check options like SmartArt to LibreOffice shapes.
  2. Ensure form compatibility by checking Reorganize Form menu to have it MS compatible under the same options.

5. Enter Styles and Templates

Manage templates in LibreOffice

To import Microsoft Word templates:

  1. Go to File > Templates > Manage Templates or press CTRL+Shift+N.
  2. Select Import to bring in templates from Microsoft Word.
  3. Templates can be found in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

Make sure to replace USERNAME with your actual user name.

These steps will help you adjust LibreOffice Writer to function effectively like Microsoft Word. We hope this article serves as a valuable resource for your transition!

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6 Comments

  1. Alice L. -

    Thanks a lot! I can't believe how much I’ve learned about customizing my software. You rock

  2. Jessie C. -

    I totally agree! Once you get the hang of it, LibreOffice Writer is unbeatable

  3. Amber Smith -

    Thank you for this! It’s nice to have alternatives to Microsoft! Your guide is concise!

  4. Tommy DIY -

    Awesome! I was struggling with the interface. After reading this, I feel I can finally enjoy using LibreOffice

  5. Debbie Let's Talk -

    Good post! I often felt lost with LibreOffice before, but not anymore!

  6. Tony from NYC -

    Are there any hidden features in LibreOffice Writer that I should know about? Please share

Leave a Comment

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