Are you wondering: is LibreOffice compatible with Microsoft Word? Did you know that you can easily convert a .docx (Word) file to OpenOffice or LibreOffice? This tutorial will help you work with Word files in OpenOffice and LibreOffice.
No matter what kind of document you need to create, Microsoft Word is pretty much the standard. But not all people use Microsoft Word. Whether it’s because they use a different operating system or because they don’t want to pay for a subscription, the truth is that Word isn't everyone’s cup of tea.
In most cases, those who don’t want to use Word, typically use OpenOffice or LibreOffice. If you’re collaborating with someone who prefers either of those two office suites, you’ll need to be able to convert your Word files to the appropriate format.
Luckily, it’s not that hard to do. In this tutorial, we’ll use a Microsoft Word template to show you how to convert Word files to OpenOffice and LibreOffice and vice versa. We'll also share some top Word templates.
What Are LibreOffice & OpenOffice?
Both LibreOffice and OpenOffice are open-source programs that handle the same types of tasks as Microsoft Office suite.
Unlike Microsoft Office, where you need to pay for a monthly subscription and download each program individually, both LibreOffice and OpenOffice are free to download. They encompass different programs into one application.
In other words, when you launch LibreOffice or OpenOffice, you can choose between creating a document, a spreadsheet, a presentation, a database, a drawing, or a formula.
Both OpenOffice and LibreOffice share a lot of the same features. But LibreOffice offers an extra application called Charts. On top of that, LibreOffice offers more templates out of the box, not to mention LibreOffice can natively save to MS Office file formats. As such, LibreOffice has a slight edge over OpenOffice.
How to Convert Word Files to OpenOffice & LibreOffice (& Vice Versa)
For the purposes of this tutorial, I’m using the Word CV and Business Card - Personal ID template from Envato Elements.
How to Convert MS Word Files to LibreOffice
Let’s start off with converting a Word file to LibreOffice. Download or locate the Word file you want to convert. Then, follow the steps below:
1. Install LibreOffice
First, you’ll need to install LibreOffice onto your computer so visit the official website and download LibreOffice. Once it’s downloaded, click the installer icon and follow the installation prompts to install it onto your computer.
2. Launch LibreOffice
After you've installed LibreOffice, launch the program. You’ll see a screen asking you to pick a type of file from the left-hand sidebar or to simply drop a document onto the LibreOffice window. Ignore that for now and proceed with the next step.
3. Convert the Word File
LibreOffice has a built-in document converter that makes it easy to convert various file types to the Open Document Type file (.odt) format that both OpenOffice and LibreOffice use. We’ll use this converter to convert our Word file into LibreOffice format.
Click on File > Wizards > Document Converter. In the window that pops up, select Microsoft Office Files and select Word files. You can ignore PowerPoint and Excel for now as we’re working with a Word document. But keep in mind that the process is the same for those types of files too. Click Next to proceed.
On the next screen, you need to select whether you’re converting a Word template or a regular Word file. In this case, I’m working with a simple Word file. So, I’ll untick the template options.
You’ll also need to select and specify the location of the file you want to convert and where you want to save the converted file. Unfortunately, you need to select a folder and you can’t select individual files here so be sure that the file you want to convert is in its own folder. Otherwise, LibreOffice will convert all the files in the same folder.
When you’re done selecting the file locations, click Next. LibreOffice will then ask you if you’re sure these are the files you want to convert. Click Convert to start the conversion process.
4. Check the Converted File and Fix Any Formatting Issues
When LibreOffice is done converting the file, you’ll see a notification. You’ll want to open your converted file by double-clicking it or simply go to File > Open and locate the converted file on your computer.
As you can see from the screenshot, the converted file looks fine although there are some minor formatting issues to take care of. That’s why it’s important to double-check your converted file and make sure everything looks the way it’s supposed.
In this case, there are borders around our text that need to be removed. Your file might have different formatting issues that need to be fixed. Either way, once you’re fixed the formatting issues, save your changes. You can then share the file with anyone using LibreOffice.
How to Convert MS Word Files to OpenOffice
OpenOffice uses the same Open Document Type as LibreOffice. Moreover, like LibreOffice, OpenOffice offers the same document converter wizard. To convert Word files to OpenOffice, follow the same steps as above.
But there's another method that’s even easier and faster when it comes to converting Word files to OpenOffice or LibreOffice. Below, I’ll show you the alternate method.
1. Launch Word
Launch MS Word and open your Word file with it. If you don’t have Word on your computer, launch the online version of Microsoft Word in your browser. It’s free to use and all you've got to do is upload your Word file.
2. Save Your Word File As Open Document Type
Go to File > Save As and choose Open Document Type. If you’re using the online version of Word, go to File > Download as Open Document Type. The OpenOffice file extension is .odt.
3. Download And Install OpenOffice
Download and install OpenOffice onto your computer. Download the files from the official website and follow the installation prompts to install the package.
4. Launch OpenOffice
Once OpenOffice is installed, launch it and select the Open file option. Locate the Word file you saved in .odt format and select it. Once the file opens, you’ll be able to fix any formatting issues and further edit the file.
How to Convert LibreOffice Files to MS Word
Converting LibreOffice Files to MS Word is easy. All you've got to do is open your file and then click on File > Save as.
Once the Save dialog loads, under File Type choose Word 2007-365 (.docx). Then, choose your desired location and press Save.
You can then open the file in Word to make sure everything works correctly and fix any formatting issues if necessary.
How to Convert OpenOffice Files to MS Word
Lastly, let’s go through the process of converting OpenOffice files to Word. Unfortunately, OpenOffice doesn’t have the option to save in the .docx format like LibreOffice.
Luckily, there's a way to convert OpenOffice files to Word. Here's how to open an OpenOffice document in Word. You can use the Online-Convert.com website to convert your OpenOffice files to Word.
Start by visiting the Online-Convert.com website. Select the Document Converter and then choose the .docx format from the drop-down menu, then press Go.
You’ll be taken to the online converter where all you've got to do is drag and drop the file you wish to convert. Click the Start Conversion button and wait for the process to finish.
Once the conversion is done, download your file by pressing the Download button. Then, open it up in Word to make sure everything is converted properly. If needed, fix any formatting issues.
Where to Find the Best Word Templates
Now you know how to convert Word files to OpenOffice and LibreOffice and vice versa. The only thing you need now is a Word template. If you’re looking for the best Word templates, Envato Elements is the perfect place.
For a low, monthly fee, you get access to thousands of Word templates. Your subscription also includes access to other creative assets such as stock photos, web templates, icons, fonts, and more. The templates and assets from Envato Elements have all the necessary features to create professional designs:
- modern and polished designs that stand out
- plenty of customization features
- unlimited use so you can try as many templates as you want and use them in as many projects as you need
Envato Elements is the best bang for your buck if you’re a designer working with many clients or an entrepreneur with many brands to promote. But, if you prefer buying Word templates individually, check out GraphicRiver. It's got thousands of modern Word templates that you can download when you need a Word file to use right now.
Five Premium Word Templates That You Can Use With LibreOffice And OpenOffice
Here are five top Word templates that you can download from Envato Elements in 2021:
1. Invoice Template for Word
This invoice has a clean and modern design. It’s perfect for sending out corporate branded invoices. The template comes in three different colors. It was designed in A4 format.
2. Resume Template For Word
If you’re looking for a resume template, this template is a great choice. It's got a clean and minimal design. The template is neatly organized into two columns. There’s plenty of room to include all the important information about your education and skills. The template comes with a matching cover letter.
3. Interior Brochure For Word
Here’s an interior brochure for Word that's got a modern and polished design. The template includes 20 pages. You can customize colors and fonts. The template comes in A4 and US letter size.
4. Professional Marketing Proposal Word
This marketing proposal template is perfect for presenting your marketing strategy. The template is easy to edit with Word and you can customize everything to your liking. It comes with 20 pages and in both US letter and A4 format.
5. Project Proposal Word
This project proposal has a professional design. It can be used for any type of proposal. The template includes 6 pages and comes in both US letter and A4 format.
Find More MS Word, LibreOffice, and Open Office Templates
The above is just a small selection of what’s available on our marketplaces. If you need more design inspiration or see what kind of documents you can create with Word, take a look at the roundups below:
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Resumes20 Best Free Pages & MS Word Resume CV Templates (Download for Mac 2021)
Resumes20+ Free Resume Templates for Open Office, LibreOffice, and MS Word 2021
Microsoft Word25 Best Free MS Word Checklist Templates to Be More Productive in 2021
Learn More About Working With MS Word
Word is a powerful program that's got plenty of features. If you want to learn more about working Word, be sure to check out the tutorials below:
Microsoft WordHow to Do Indents & Hanging Indent on Microsoft Word
Microsoft WordHow to Make an Easy Flowchart Diagram in Microsoft Word
ProposalsHow to Make Great Business Proposals With Microsoft Word Template Docs
Convert Word Files to OpenOffice or LibreOffice Easily
As you can see, converting Word files to OpenOffice or LibreOffice format isn't as difficult as it seems. You can easily start a project with a Word Template and convert it to one of the other formats if you like. If you’re looking for premium Word templates with professional design, stop by Envato Elements and find the perfect template for your needs.
Or, if you prefer buying templates individually, browse our collection of stunning Word templates on GraphicRiver.
Why not download a template and get started on your next project today?
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