FreeOffice delivers full Microsoft Office format compatibility through three dedicated applications: TextMaker handles Word documents (.docx), PlanMaker manages Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx), and Presentations creates PowerPoint slide decks (.pptx). This office suite works without subscription fees while preserving formatting when collaborating with Microsoft Office users. Common workflows include editing client contracts without format corruption, building financial models with Excel function compatibility, and creating presentation slides that render correctly on Windows systems. For additional office suite options, consider LibreOffice on Ubuntu, which offers deeper community support and broader format handling.
Installation uses the official SoftMaker repository through secure GPG key verification and DEB822 repository configuration. The guide covers repository setup, package installation with verification output, launch methods for each application, and essential configuration adjustments for Microsoft Office compatibility. Pairing FreeOffice with Nextcloud Desktop on Ubuntu enables document synchronization across devices.
FreeOffice Installation Methods on Ubuntu
The table below compares available installation methods for FreeOffice on Ubuntu systems:
| Method | Package Freshness | Stability | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| APT Repository (Recommended) | Latest stable releases directly from SoftMaker | Stable, production-ready builds | Maintained by SoftMaker with regular updates through standard Ubuntu package management |
FreeOffice is not available through Flatpak, Snap, or default Ubuntu repositories. The official SoftMaker APT repository remains the only supported installation method, providing automatic updates through your system’s package manager.
These steps cover Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, and 26.04 LTS installations. The SoftMaker repository uses a universal stable branch that works across all supported Ubuntu LTS releases. Steps shown are identical across these versions.
Update Ubuntu System Packages
Before installation, update Ubuntu packages with the most recent versions. Consequently, this eliminates potential incompatibility issues, maintains system stability, and ensures smooth FreeOffice operation.
Execute the command below to fetch the latest package information:
sudo apt updateNext, upgrade all packages that have newer versions available:
sudo apt upgradeImport SoftMaker FreeOffice APT Repository
Following the system update, the primary installation method uses the official SoftMaker APT repository. This repository provides the latest FreeOffice releases directly from SoftMaker with automatic updates through Ubuntu’s package management system.
Install GPG Tools
Ubuntu minimal installations may not include GPG by default. Install the GPG package to enable cryptographic signature verification:
sudo apt install gpgImport SoftMaker GPG Key
Download and store the SoftMaker repository GPG key to verify package authenticity using curl. The keyrings directory stores cryptographic keys used to validate repository signatures:
sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyringscurl -fsSL https://shop.softmaker.com/repo/linux-repo-public.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpg > /dev/nullAdd Repository Using DEB822 Format
Configure the SoftMaker repository using the modern DEB822 .sources format. This method provides better structure and maintainability compared to legacy one-line entries:
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/softmaker.sources <<EOF
Types: deb
URIs: https://shop.softmaker.com/repo/apt
Suites: stable
Components: non-free
Signed-By: /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpg
EOFThe repository configuration specifies stable for the release channel and non-free for the component because FreeOffice, while free to use, contains proprietary code.
Refresh APT Package Index
After adding a new APT source, refresh the package index to enable the system to recognize the new repository. Therefore, this registers the FreeOffice packages available for installation.
Execute the update command:
sudo apt updateInstall FreeOffice via APT Command
With the repository configured and the package index updated, you can now install FreeOffice. Furthermore, the necessary preparations are complete, and APT recognizes the FreeOffice package.
To proceed, install FreeOffice with the following command:
sudo apt install softmaker-freeoffice-2024The installation process downloads approximately 180 MB and installs all three FreeOffice applications plus supporting libraries. Expected output shows package installation progress:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
softmaker-freeoffice-2024
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 183 MB of archives.
After this operation, 367 MB of additional disk space will be used.Verify FreeOffice Installation
Confirm the installed FreeOffice version to ensure successful installation:
dpkg -l | grep softmaker-freeofficeExpected output displays the package version and installation status:
ii softmaker-freeoffice-2024 3690 amd64 SoftMaker FreeOffice 2024The version number (3690 in this example) represents the build number and may differ based on the latest available release.
Launch FreeOffice Applications
Once installation completes, you can launch FreeOffice through either the Command-Line Interface (CLI) or the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
CLI Methods to Launch FreeOffice
Each FreeOffice application provides command-line launch options for terminal-based workflows. The package installs both regular and “free” binary variants, though both commands launch the same FreeOffice 2024 edition.
For TextMaker (word processing), run:
textmaker24To launch PlanMaker (spreadsheets), use:
planmaker24To start Presentations, execute:
presentations24These commands are for FreeOffice 2024. If you installed a different version, adjust the year in each command accordingly. Alternative commands (
textmaker24free,planmaker24free,presentations24free) also exist but launch identical applications.
GUI Method to Launch FreeOffice
For graphical access, launch any FreeOffice component from your application menu. GNOME desktop users navigate through the application grid, while other desktop environments typically organize applications under the Office category:
Activities > Show Applications > FreeOffice {TextMaker, Presentations, PlanMaker}Each application opens in its own window and operates independently. You can run multiple FreeOffice applications simultaneously to work with different document types.
Essential FreeOffice Configuration Tips
After installation, configure FreeOffice for optimal productivity with these key settings and features.
Set Microsoft Office Format as Default
When collaborating with Microsoft Office users, configure .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx as default formats. Navigate to File > Options > Files > Default File Formats in each application to ensure seamless compatibility without manual format selection.
To verify the setting, create a new document and save it—the file dialog should default to Microsoft Office format (.docx for TextMaker, .xlsx for PlanMaker, .pptx for Presentations) rather than SoftMaker’s native formats (.tmdx, .pmdx, .prdx).
Customize Ribbon and Interface
The ribbon interface mirrors Microsoft Office for familiar navigation. Moreover, customize commands by right-clicking the ribbon and selecting Customize Ribbon to add, remove, or rearrange tools based on your workflow. Additionally, toggle the sidebar visibility through View > Sidebar for quick access to formatting options and navigation.
Once configured, TextMaker displays the full word processing interface with customized toolbars.
Use Templates and Styles for Consistency
All three FreeOffice applications provide professional templates via File > New > New from template. Furthermore, TextMaker styles maintain document formatting consistency through the Styles pane, while Presentations master slides create uniform slide layouts through the View tab. Similarly, PlanMaker cell styles apply professional spreadsheet formatting via Format > Cell Style.
Master Key Features by Application
TextMaker document production relies on styles for consistent formatting and templates for professional layouts. Meanwhile, Presentations slide transitions in the Transitions tab add visual engagement while master slides ensure design uniformity across decks. In addition, PlanMaker spreadsheets benefit from conditional formatting at Format > Conditional Formatting to highlight critical data, plus extensive functions accessible via Insert > Function for calculations and data manipulation.
Additional FreeOffice Commands
Update FreeOffice
Keeping FreeOffice updated ensures you have the latest features, enhancements, and security updates. Ubuntu uses unattended upgrades for automatic updates, or you can update manually with the commands below.
To update FreeOffice specifically without upgrading other system packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade softmaker-freeoffice-2024Alternatively, include FreeOffice in a full system upgrade:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThe first command refreshes your system’s package list from all configured repositories. The second command installs available updates. If a newer FreeOffice version exists in the SoftMaker repository, the upgrade command installs it automatically.
Remove FreeOffice
If you need to remove FreeOffice from your system, use the following command:
sudo apt remove softmaker-freeoffice-2024This command removes the FreeOffice package from your system. If you installed a different version, replace 2024 with your specific version number.
Remove User Data and Configuration Files
FreeOffice stores user documents, templates, and application settings in your home directory. The package removal command leaves these files intact to prevent accidental data loss. Remove these directories manually if you want complete uninstallation:
rm -rf ~/.config/SoftMaker/rm -rf ~/.local/share/SoftMaker/These directories contain your FreeOffice documents, custom templates, and application preferences. Back up any important files before deletion. The
rm -rfcommand permanently deletes directories and cannot be undone.
Remove FreeOffice Repository (Optional)
After removing FreeOffice, consider removing the repository to keep your system’s repository list clean. Remove the DEB822 repository configuration:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/softmaker.sourcesIf the GPG key is no longer needed, you can also remove it:
sudo rm /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpgThis cleanup prevents Ubuntu from checking the SoftMaker repository during future apt update operations.
Troubleshooting Common FreeOffice Issues
The following solutions address common FreeOffice installation and configuration problems on Ubuntu systems.
Repository GPG Key Errors
If apt update reports GPG signature verification failures for the SoftMaker repository, the key file may be missing or corrupted. Verify the key exists:
ls -l /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpgExpected output when the key exists:
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1234 Jan 7 10:30 /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpg
If the command returns “No such file or directory,” re-download the key using the GPG import commands from the installation section. If the key exists but errors persist, remove and reimport it:
sudo rm /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpg
curl -fsSL https://shop.softmaker.com/repo/linux-repo-public.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpg > /dev/null
sudo apt updateApplication Launch Failures
If FreeOffice applications fail to launch, verify the installation completed successfully:
dpkg -l | grep softmaker-freeofficeExpected output showing proper installation:
ii softmaker-freeoffice-2024 3690 amd64 SoftMaker FreeOffice 2024
The ii at the start indicates proper installation. If the package is missing or shows error states (rc, iU, iF), reinstall:
sudo apt install --reinstall softmaker-freeoffice-2024Font Rendering Issues
If documents display with incorrect fonts or poor rendering quality, install Microsoft Core Fonts for better compatibility:
sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installerAfter installation, restart FreeOffice applications to apply the new fonts. This package provides Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, and other common Microsoft Office fonts.
File Format Compatibility Problems
If Microsoft Office documents fail to open or display incorrectly, verify you’ve configured Microsoft Office formats as default in File > Options > Files > Default File Formats. Complex documents with advanced formatting, macros, or embedded objects may experience compatibility limitations regardless of configuration.
For documents that consistently fail to open, try opening them in LibreOffice first, then save and reopen in FreeOffice. This intermediate conversion sometimes resolves format issues.
Conclusion
FreeOffice delivers full Microsoft Office format compatibility through TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations. Installation through the official SoftMaker repository using DEB822 configuration ensures automatic updates and cryptographic package verification. The configuration tips enable Microsoft Office format defaults for seamless collaboration, while the troubleshooting section addresses common installation and compatibility issues. Your Ubuntu system now runs a capable office suite that handles Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats without subscription fees or vendor lock-in.