Open Office has been around for a number of years, however, it has gone through several changes as companies such as LibreOffice and Apache Open Office have created their own forked versions of it. Each version offers both similar and varying features, but the bottom line is that any of them can be used to create and edit an assortment of projects.

When it comes to determining which form of Open Office to use, it really comes down to what you need and what you are willing to spend. Although Microsoft does offer a free trial period for Microsoft Open Office 365 E3 , eventually you will have to purchase it. For Libre Open Office and Apache Open Office, there is no cost. But the similarities and difference extend beyond cost.

Open Office program learning computer

Let’s explore some of the unique features of each Open Office Program:

Microsoft Office 365

  • Admin Page – A simple Admin page lets support staff easily manage users and configure Exchange, SharePoint and Lync Online services.
  • Easy Problem Solving – With the “service status” feature, IT staff can monitor Microsoft Office 365 services to help isolate any potential problems.
  • Smartphone Management Tools – possibility to create device policies to enforce strong passwords and control some hardware features of smartphones.
  • Multiple Users at Once – Administrators may configure SharePoint Online in multiple ways, such as the option to invite users from outside your organization.
  • Skype with Co-workers while working on a Document – Use the “chat” button to talk with those you are collaborating on a project with.
  • Linking – Instead of attaching files, you can link to them.
  • OneNote – this feature allows you to turn notes into calendar entries, along with all the pertinent details you.

Apache OpenOffice

  • Writer –Designed for creating letters, books, reports, newsletters, brochures, and other documents.
  • Calc – Calc has all of the advanced analysis, charting and decision-making features expected from a high-end spreadsheet. It includes over 300 functions for financial, statistical, and mathematical operations.
  • Impress – Impress has all the standard multimedia presentation tools, such as special effects, animation, and drawing tools.
  • Draw – Create simple artwork to 3-D drawings, flowcharts, and diagrams and save them using any one of the 20 formats (PNG, HTML, PDF, etc.) available.
  • Database – Base provides tools for day-to-day work within a simple interface. It can create and edit forms, reports, queries, tables, views, and relations, so that managing a connected database is much the same as in other popular database applications.
  • Math – This can be used to create complex equations that include symbols or characters not available in standard font sets.

Open office Apache learning computer

LibreOffice: Open Source office in the Enterprise

  • Style-based Orientation – These allow you to make changes easily, to any or every part of a document.
  • Precision Settings – Writer does not simply let you add superscript characters, bullets, or footnotes — it allows you to customize every aspect of them.
  • Navigator – This is a combination of outliner and table of contents. You can use it to move blocks of text around instead of cutting and pasting, and to jump around a document according to paragraph style, table, comment, or half a dozen other elements.
  • Page Styles – Page styles are probably the feature that separates Writer the most from word processors. In word processors, the largest unit you can design in is a paragraph.

Open Ofice Libre learning computer

Keep in mind that these are but a few of the features available with each of these products . To fully understand the capabilities of the Open Office Programs, you will need to install them and do some testing. All of the above choices are great. It is for you to decide what Open Office Program to use depending on your goals and priorities.                                                                                                                         If you have any questions, we are here to help. Give us a call today.

 

Additional Reading:

15 Amazing Features In Office 365 That You Probably Don’t Know About

What Does OpenOffice.org Include?

Open Office vs. LibreOffice: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Use?

The 7 Best Features in LibreOffice Writer