How to Install LibreOffice on Linux Mint 22 and 21

Standard Linux Mint Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce desktop installs include LibreOffice by default, but reinstalling the suite or switching to a newer release stream is common after a clean reset, package cleanup, or feature gap. The default package remains the lowest-maintenance way to install LibreOffice on Linux Mint, while PPAs and Flatpak trade some simplicity for newer builds.

Linux Mint 22.x currently defaults to LibreOffice 24.2.x, while Linux Mint 21.x stays on the older 7.3.x series. LibreOffice opens Microsoft Office formats out of the box, and installing Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint helps reduce layout shifts when you share DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX files with Office users.

Compare LibreOffice Installation Methods on Linux Mint

These installation paths mainly differ in how quickly they move beyond Mint’s default package. The Mint repository remains the safest pick for most readers, while PPAs and the Flathub build make sense when version freshness matters more than keeping everything on the distro cadence.

Method	Channel	Branch or Package	Updates	Best For
Mint Repository (default)	Ubuntu archive via Mint	Mint 22: 24.2.x, Mint 21: 7.3.x	Automatic via apt upgrade	Stable default installs with the least maintenance
Fresh PPA	Launchpad PPA	Fresh branch packages	Automatic via apt upgrade	Users who want newer APT-managed builds
Still PPA	Launchpad PPA	Still branch packages	Automatic via apt upgrade	Readers who want a newer build without riding the newest branch
Pre-release PPA	Launchpad PPA	Test builds when published	Automatic via apt upgrade	Testers and bug reporters
Flatpak	Flathub	Flathub stable app	Automatic via flatpak update	Users who prefer Flathub packaging and separate app/runtime updates

Fresh tracks LibreOffice’s Fresh branch but can lag the newest Flathub point release. Still intentionally lags for a steadier branch, and the Pre-release PPA is only for testing when it publishes alpha, beta, or release-candidate packages. Use one PPA at a time so APT always has a clear source for LibreOffice packages.

LibreOffice also publishes generic Linux DEB archives on its official download page, but those archives are manual downloads rather than Mint package sources. For a normal Mint desktop, use the default package, one PPA, or Flathub so update and removal ownership stays clear.

Install LibreOffice on Linux Mint

Update Linux Mint Before Installing LibreOffice

Refresh package metadata before you reinstall LibreOffice or switch to a different release stream.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

These commands use sudo for package changes. If your account does not have sudo access yet, follow the guide on how to create and add users to sudoers on Linux Mint or run the commands as root.

Check LibreOffice Versions on Linux Mint

Check the installed version first. If LibreOffice is already on the system, you may only need an update instead of a reinstall.

libreoffice --version

If that command returns command not found, inspect the package candidate from Mint’s repositories before you reach for a PPA.

apt-cache policy libreoffice

Example output on Linux Mint 22.x:

libreoffice:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 4:24.2.7-0ubuntu0.24.04.5

Example output on Linux Mint 21.x:

libreoffice:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 1:7.3.7-0ubuntu0.22.04.11

The Candidate line shows what APT would install by default. You may also see newer noble-backports or jammy-backports entries in the version table, but those are not the default path on Mint.

Add a LibreOffice PPA on Linux Mint

Linux Mint already tracks LibreOffice through the Ubuntu base, so add a PPA only when you want a different release cadence. Use add-apt-repository instead of a manual Mint codename source entry; it targets the Ubuntu base behind Mint 22.x and 21.x, and the final Candidate check tells you whether the chosen PPA is active.

If the stock Mint package already fits your workflow, skip the PPA steps and install LibreOffice from the default repositories.

Standard Mint desktops normally include add-apt-repository through mintsources. If a customized install returns add-apt-repository: command not found, install the helper first.

command -v add-apt-repository >/dev/null 2>&1 || sudo apt install mintsources

Add the LibreOffice Fresh PPA on Linux Mint

The Fresh stream carries LibreOffice’s Fresh branch and is the best PPA choice when you want newer features while keeping updates in APT.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa -y

Add the LibreOffice Still PPA on Linux Mint

The Still branch stays newer than Mint’s default package while moving more cautiously than Fresh.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-still -y

Add the LibreOffice Pre-release PPA on Linux Mint

Use the Pre-release stream only when you want alpha, beta, or release-candidate builds for testing. Between testing windows, this PPA can match the Fresh PPA instead of moving ahead of it.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-prereleases -y

Refresh APT After Adding a LibreOffice PPA

Update APT and confirm LibreOffice now points at the release stream you chose.

sudo apt update
apt-cache policy libreoffice

Relevant output after adding the Fresh PPA on Linux Mint 22.x includes:

libreoffice:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1
  Version table:
     4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libreoffice/ppa/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages

If you chose Still, expect an older branch than Fresh. If you chose Pre-release, check the candidate carefully because it can match Fresh between test windows.

Install LibreOffice from APT on Linux Mint

Install the suite with Mint’s default package source or the PPA you enabled in the previous step.

sudo apt install libreoffice

The package name is simply libreoffice, and it installs Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math in one pass.

Verify the APT LibreOffice Installation on Linux Mint

Confirm that APT installed LibreOffice from the source you expected.

apt-cache policy libreoffice

Relevant output after a default Linux Mint 22.x install includes:

libreoffice:
  Installed: 4:24.2.7-0ubuntu0.24.04.5
  Candidate: 4:24.2.7-0ubuntu0.24.04.5

If you installed from a PPA, both lines should show the PPA version instead of Mint’s default package. On Linux Mint 21.x, the default package stays on the 7.3.x series until you switch sources.

Install LibreOffice from Flathub on Linux Mint

Standard Linux Mint desktop installs already expose Flathub at system scope. Verify that remote before installing the Flathub build system-wide.

flatpak remotes --columns=name,options

flathub system

Install the Flathub build with:

sudo flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

Verify the installed Flatpak package:

flatpak info org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

LibreOffice - The LibreOffice productivity suite

          ID: org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
         Ref: app/org.libreoffice.LibreOffice/x86_64/stable
        Arch: x86_64
      Branch: stable
     Version: 26.2.4.2
      Origin: flathub
Installation: system

Avoid keeping both the APT and Flatpak builds installed unless you have a specific reason. Separate launchers and file associations make it easy to open the wrong copy of LibreOffice.

Launch LibreOffice on Linux Mint

Both install paths create desktop launchers, but the terminal command differs depending on whether you kept the APT package or the Flathub build.

Launch APT-Installed LibreOffice from the Terminal on Linux Mint

The APT package places the libreoffice launcher on your PATH.

libreoffice

Launch Flatpak LibreOffice from the Terminal on Linux Mint

The Flathub build does not add a host-side libreoffice command, so start it with Flatpak’s runner command instead.

flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

Launch LibreOffice from the Applications Menu on Linux Mint

Menu placement varies slightly by desktop, but LibreOffice still appears under Office or in the application search on each Mint edition.

• Cinnamon: Open the menu, search for LibreOffice, then choose Writer, Calc, Impress, or another module.
• MATE: Open the menu, browse to the Office category, and launch the LibreOffice application you need.
• Xfce: Use the Whisker Menu, search for LibreOffice, or browse the Office category.

First LibreOffice Tasks on Linux Mint

Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math, and Base all ship together. These first-use notes cover the shortcuts and modules most readers look for after the install finishes.

You can jump straight into a specific LibreOffice module from the terminal with the matching launcher flag.

libreoffice --writer
libreoffice --calc

Use LibreOffice Writer on Linux Mint

Writer handles everyday word processing and opens most DOCX files without extra setup.

• Create documents: Start a new text document from File > New > Text Document.
• Adjust formatting: Use the toolbar to change fonts, spacing, alignment, and styles before you export or share the file.

Use LibreOffice Calc on Linux Mint

Calc covers spreadsheets, formulas, charts, and pivot-style analysis for budget sheets or larger data sets.

• Create spreadsheets: Start a new sheet from File > New > Spreadsheet.
• Analyze data: Use formulas, sorting, filters, and charts to organize and compare values quickly.

Use LibreOffice Impress on Linux Mint

Impress is the presentation module for slide decks, speaker notes, and exported PDFs.

• Create presentations: Start a new deck from File > New > Presentation.
• Build slides: Add text, images, charts, and media, then switch layouts or themes from the sidebar as the deck develops.

Use LibreOffice Draw on Linux Mint

Draw is useful for diagrams, lightweight vector graphics, and PDF annotation workflows.

• Create drawings: Start a new drawing from File > New > Drawing, then add shapes, lines, and labels.
• Export the result: Save the project normally or export it to PDF when you need a portable copy.

Use LibreOffice Math on Linux Mint

Math handles formula editing for scientific notation, reports, and classroom material.

• Create formulas: Use Insert > Object > Formula to build equations directly inside LibreOffice documents.
• Choose symbols: The operator and symbol palettes make it easier to build longer expressions without memorizing every command.

Use LibreOffice Base on Linux Mint

Base is the database module for lightweight local projects or connecting LibreOffice to an existing database backend.

• Create databases: Start from File > New > Database to build a new project or connect to an existing one.
• Manage tables: Add, edit, and organize tables, forms, and queries from the left sidebar.

Update LibreOffice on Linux Mint

APT and Flatpak update on separate tracks, so use the commands that match the version you installed.

Refresh APT Metadata Before Updating LibreOffice on Linux Mint

Refresh package lists first so APT sees the newest LibreOffice build available from Mint or your chosen PPA.

sudo apt update

Update APT-Installed LibreOffice on Linux Mint

Use --only-upgrade when LibreOffice is already installed and you only want newer packages from the same source.

sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice

If LibreOffice is missing and you want to install it again at the same time, use sudo apt install libreoffice instead.

Update Flatpak LibreOffice on Linux Mint

If you installed the Flathub build, update it separately from APT packages. For broader Flatpak maintenance, see how to upgrade Flatpak on Linux Mint.

sudo flatpak update org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

Run a Full Current-Release APT Upgrade for LibreOffice

A full APT upgrade is the simpler option when you want LibreOffice and the rest of the packages in your current Linux Mint release to move forward together.

sudo apt full-upgrade

Remove LibreOffice from Linux Mint

Use the matching removal path for the APT or Flatpak build you installed, then clear any PPAs or local settings you no longer want.

Remove APT-Installed LibreOffice on Linux Mint

Purge the LibreOffice packages first, then remove leftover dependencies. The quoted 'libreoffice*' pattern lets APT match package names directly instead of letting the shell expand local filenames.

sudo apt purge 'libreoffice*' -y
sudo apt autoremove -y

Confirm that LibreOffice is no longer installed from APT:

apt-cache policy libreoffice

libreoffice:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 4:24.2.7-0ubuntu0.24.04.5

On Linux Mint 21.x, the candidate line still points to 1:7.3.7-0ubuntu0.22.04.11 from the default repositories after removal.

Remove LibreOffice PPAs on Linux Mint

If you added a LibreOffice PPA, remove it before returning to Mint’s default package or reinstalling from a different stream.

# Fresh PPA
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/ppa -y

# Still PPA
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-still -y

# Pre-release PPA
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-prereleases -y

sudo apt update

Remove only the PPA you actually used, or remove all three if you want to reset the system to Mint’s default source list. Removing a PPA source does not automatically downgrade already installed PPA packages.

To return from a PPA build to Mint’s default LibreOffice packages, remove the PPA first, refresh APT, then purge and reinstall LibreOffice from the default candidate.

sudo apt purge 'libreoffice*' -y
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt install libreoffice
apt-cache policy libreoffice

The installed and candidate lines should now match the default LibreOffice package for your Mint series.

Remove Flatpak LibreOffice on Linux Mint

Remove the Flathub build with the system-scope command that matches Mint’s default Flatpak setup.

sudo flatpak uninstall org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

Confirm the Flatpak package is gone:

flatpak list --system --app --columns=application | grep -Fx org.libreoffice.LibreOffice || echo NOT_INSTALLED

NOT_INSTALLED

If you also want to clean up unused system Flatpak runtimes, review the listed runtimes before confirming because the list can include runtimes shared by other applications.

sudo flatpak uninstall --unused

Delete LibreOffice User Data on Linux Mint

LibreOffice stores user settings, templates, extensions, dictionaries, and cache files in your home directory. APT-installed builds and the Flatpak build use different paths, so remove only the paths that match the data you want to reset.

These commands permanently delete personal LibreOffice settings, custom dictionaries, templates, macros, and Flatpak app data. Back up the matching folders first if you want to keep any of that data.

List existing LibreOffice data paths before deleting them:

find \
  "$HOME/.config/libreoffice" \
  "$HOME/.cache/libreoffice" \
  "$HOME/.local/share/libreoffice" \
  "$HOME/.var/app/org.libreoffice.LibreOffice" \
  -maxdepth 0 -print 2>/dev/null

Delete the listed LibreOffice data paths with:

rm -rf \
  "$HOME/.config/libreoffice" \
  "$HOME/.cache/libreoffice" \
  "$HOME/.local/share/libreoffice" \
  "$HOME/.var/app/org.libreoffice.LibreOffice"

Troubleshoot LibreOffice Installation Issues on Linux Mint

Most install problems come from switching PPAs, stale package metadata, or broken dependencies. Start with these checks before adding another package source or reinstalling from a different channel.

Fix LibreOffice PPA Conflicts on Linux Mint

If you switched between Fresh, Still, and Pre-release, remove the old PPAs first so APT stops mixing packages from multiple LibreOffice branches.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/ppa -y
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-still -y
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-prereleases -y
sudo apt update

Add back only the one PPA you want to keep, then reinstall or upgrade LibreOffice again.

Fix LibreOffice PPA Key Errors on Linux Mint

If apt update reports a key problem for a LibreOffice PPA, remove and add that same PPA again so add-apt-repository can import a fresh signing key.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/ppa -y
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa -y
sudo apt update

If add-apt-repository itself is missing, install Mint’s repository helper package first.

sudo apt install mintsources

Fix Broken LibreOffice Dependencies on Linux Mint

When an install stops on missing or half-configured packages, repair the dependency state first and then retry the LibreOffice install.

sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo apt install libreoffice

Conclusion

LibreOffice is ready on Linux Mint once the selected Mint package, PPA, or Flathub path is installed and verified. Keep update and removal commands matched to that source; if document layout still shifts, install Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint, and if you chose Flathub, keep it current with Flatpak maintenance on Linux Mint.