Advantages and Disadvantages of LibreOffice
Advantages and Disadvantages of LibreOffice
Advantages and Disadvantages of LibreOffice – In completing a job in the office is certainly not easy. Many things must be mastered by employees to produce the desired task. For that, we need a tool that is able to assist employees in completing their tasks, namely by using office software. This software can be said to play an active role in improving employee performance quickly and efficiently.
Of course, we know that a lot of office software has been developed today to meet office needs. For example, Microsoft Office, which incidentally is the most widely used office software for offices. In fact, this software is not only used by office employees, but everyone uses Microsoft Office for their daily needs. Starting from doing school assignments, arranging event schedules, taking notes, and conducting video conferences.
However, users need to spend quite a lot of money to be able to use Microsoft Office. Given, that the software is not available for free. On the other hand, many people don’t know that there is other office software that is capable of performing similar tasks to Microsoft Office but is available for free to anyone. The software is none other than LibreOffice.
Through this article, we will explain in more detail what LibreOffice is, along with other supporting information. For example, what components are contained in LibreOffice, the features provided, and the advantages and disadvantages. See the continuation in the following discussion:
What is LibreOffice?
LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite developed by The Document Foundation (TDF). LibreOffice is a derivative of OpenOffice.org in 2010, which is an open-source version of the preceding StarOffice. In addition, LibreOffice was first released on January 25, 2011.
There are several services available in LibreOffice, such as word processing programs, slideshows, diagrams and drawings, database work, and mathematical formula writing. Many people think that LibreOffice can be used as an alternative to Microsoft Office applications. This is because LibreOffice is available for free, unlike the paid Microsoft Office.
Not only that, LibreOffice also supports various operating systems. For example, such as Windows, Linux, OS X, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and Android (viewer). Seeing the advantages offered, it is not surprising that LibreOffice is in great demand by many people. This is evident when LibreOffice premiered in January and October 2011 with a total of 7.5 million downloads.
LibreOffice Components and Their Functions
Apart from the understanding of LibreOffice in the previous paragraph, not a few users are curious about what application components are contained in LibreOffice. Although overall LibreOffice is not as complete and comparable to Microsoft Office. But with some of the services it provides, users can perform various tasks like Microsoft Office. For example, creating documents, performing calculations, and even storing data. To find out more, please refer to the following information points:
1. Writer (word processor)
Writer is a tool from LibreOffice that functions as a word processor. With this service, users can create letters, books, reports, brochures, and other documents. In addition, users can insert graphics and objects from other components into Writer documents. Then users can export files to PDF, HTML, XHTML, XML, and some versions of Microsoft Word files.
2. Calc (spreadsheet)
Calc is a spreadsheet program that can be used for analysis, charting, and decision-making needs. Moreover, here users will find more than 300 functions for financial, statistical, and mathematical operations. Calc can be integrated into other LibreOffice documents and can also open, organize, and save them in Excel format.
3. Impress (presentations)
Impress is a software designed for presentations such as Microsoft PowerPoint. The main function of Impress itself is to beautify the appearance of the file before it is presented to the public. Furthermore, Impress provides a wide range of common multimedia presentation tools, such as special effects, animations, sound clips, video, and drawing tools. Uniquely impress is compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint file formats and can also save work in various graphic formats including SWF (Macromedia Flash).
4. Draw (vector graphics)
As the name suggests, the Draw service from LibreOffice allows users to draw vectors that can produce anything. For example, such as flowcharts, and clip art to other works. Users can take advantage of Draw to use in any of the LibreOffice components.
5. Math (formula editor)
Math is a LibreOffice formula or equation editor. With this component, users can take advantage it to create complex equations that include symbols or characters that are not available in the standard font set. In this case, it is often used to create formulas in other documents, such as Writer and Impress.
6. Base (database)
And the last one is Base, which provides services to store work data or daily activities. Of course, it is displayed with a simple interface, so it is easy to understand. Here users can create/edit forms, reports, tables, and relationships. In this case, its function is more or less the same as other popular database applications.
Features of LibreOffice
Even though it is available for free, it does not mean that LibreOffice does not provide interesting features for potential users. Given the popularity of LibreOffice itself will not be separated from the features provided. Starting from compatibility, templates, export PDF, and ePUB. Here are some features that I can describe LibreOffice.
1. File compatibility
One of the interesting features of LibreOffice is its file compatibility. In addition to its native OpenDocument format, LibreOffice includes support for opening and saving files in many common formats. Examples, such as Microsoft Office, HTML, XML, WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and PDF.
2. Precision adjust
With LibreOffice, users are not only allowed to add characters, points, or notes. But it also allows users to customize every aspect. For example going to the character position or paragraph style tab, setting the correct size and character for bullets or numbers, spacing between bullets and list items, etc.
3. ePUB Export
Of course, if the user wants to create an e-book from the results of the document, just use LibreOffice. Considering that this software has provided an easy-to-do ePUB file export tool, by clicking File » Export » and then selecting ePUB. Furthermore, the results of this ePUB file can be read on many e-book devices, of course.
4. Templates
Not only Microsoft Office provides templates to beautify the appearance, but LibreOffice users also include a selection of templates that are quite unique. In addition, with this template, users can focus on the content being worked on rather than the display design.
Advantages and Disadvantages of LibreOffice
We know that no application or software is perfect. This also applies to LibreOffice, which has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Of course, by knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the software to be installed, we can consider whether this software is suitable for use or vice versa? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of LibreOffice that users need to know:
Advantages of LibreOffice
- Free
- Open source (open source)
- Small file size
- Export PDF & ePUB
- Support multiple systems
- Extensive language support
- File compatibility
- No locked vendors
- LibreOffice components that integrate with each other.
Disadvantages of LibreOffice
- Display. I think the appearance of LibreOffice is quite confusing, especially since users are used to using Microsoft Office. For that, users need a little adjustment in operating it.
- Security. Talking about security in LibreOffice maybe the answer is not secure. Because LibreOffice itself is free and open source software. This means that it can be redistributed by others. But if the user wants the official version, please access it through the official LibreOffice website.
- File Formats. In some cases, if the user wants to open a file in Microsoft Office format in LibreOffice. Then there are several formats such as paragraphs, tables, etc. that become a little irregular.
Conclusion
From the review of the understanding of LibreOffice above, it can be concluded that LibreOffice is a free office software package with open source. This software was developed by The Document Foundation. Then, LibreOffice can be said as an alternative software to replace Microsoft Office. Indeed, this software is not comparable and complete to Microsoft Office, but there are several services that can be used like Office. For example, creating documents, performing calculations, storing data, etc.
That’s a brief discussion that I can give about the meaning of LibreOffice. Share the article if you find it useful. If you have any questions or feedback regarding the reviews above, please write them in the comments column below. Thank you!
