FreeOffice is a comprehensive, free office suite that provides all the tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Unlike proprietary alternatives like Microsoft Office, FreeOffice delivers full .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx format compatibility without subscription fees or restrictions. Additionally, the suite includes TextMaker for documents, PlanMaker for spreadsheets, and Presentations for slideshows, all with intuitive interfaces that make switching from other office suites straightforward. Whether you’re drafting business reports, building budget spreadsheets, or creating presentation decks, FreeOffice handles your productivity needs without vendor lock-in. For additional office suite options, consider LibreOffice, which offers deeper community support and broader format handling.
Installation relies on the official SoftMaker repository with GPG verification, followed by command-line and GUI launch methods plus configuration tips for TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations. The workflow highlights repository import, package installation, and essential productivity tweaks, while pairing FreeOffice with Nextcloud Desktop keeps documents synchronized across devices.
Update Ubuntu System Packages
Before installation, update the Ubuntu system with the most recent package 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. Consequently, this version stays current without requiring third-party installation managers.
First, create the keyrings directory and import the GPG key to verify package authenticity. Additionally, this ensures the packages you receive are genuine SoftMaker releases:
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/nullNext, add the APT repository:
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpg] https://shop.softmaker.com/repo/apt stable non-free" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/softmaker.listRefresh 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-2024After installation completes, FreeOffice is ready to use on your Ubuntu system.
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
For quick terminal access, each FreeOffice component has its own launch command. Specifically, here are the commands for each application:
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.
GUI Method to Launch FreeOffice
Alternatively, for GUI access, launch any FreeOffice component from your application menu. Simply navigate to the ‘Office’ category via this path:
Activities > Show Applications > FreeOffice {Text Maker, Presentations, PlanMaker}
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. Specifically, navigate to File > Options > Files > Default File Formats in each application to ensure seamless compatibility without manual format selection.
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 package managers to handle software updates, including both manual and automatic update configurations.
To check for updates, run the following command for all installed packages, including FreeOffice:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThe first command refreshes your system’s package list, while the second upgrades all packages with available updates. Notably, if a newer FreeOffice version exists in the repositories, the upgrade command will install it.
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. However, if you installed a different version, replace 2024 with your specific version number.
Remove FreeOffice Repository (Optional)
After removing FreeOffice, consider removing the repository to keep your system’s repository list clean. To accomplish this, remove the FreeOffice repository with:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/softmaker.listThis command removes the softmaker.list file from /etc/apt/sources.list.d/, which contains repository configurations.
If the GPG key is no longer needed, you can also remove it:
sudo rm /etc/apt/keyrings/softmaker.gpgFinally, this command removes the softmaker.gpg keyring from /etc/apt/keyrings/.
Conclusion
FreeOffice delivers full Microsoft Office format compatibility without subscription fees through TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations. Repository import with signed packages, GPG verification, and launch commands ensure each component installs cleanly, while configuration tweaks keep workflows aligned with Microsoft Office defaults. Your Ubuntu system now runs a capable office suite that handles Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats while maintaining complete control over documents and data.