This is a simple guide to help you install LibreOffice in macOS (Intel or Apple M1, M2 macs).
LibreOffice, the most popular free and open-source office suite, is used by millions and is a cross-platform office suite. Boasting compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and a feature set that rivals paid alternatives, LibreOffice empowers users to create, edit, and manage documents without breaking the bank.
If you’re a macOS user looking to ditch the hefty subscription fees of traditional office software, installing LibreOffice is a cakewalk.
Let’s dive into the simple steps of bringing LibreOffice to life on your macOS device.
Table of Contents
Install LibreOffice in macOS
- Downloading the LibreOffice Installer
- Head over to the official LibreOffice website: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download-libreoffice/. On this page, you will see two versions of LibreOffice. The top one is feature-rich and latest. And the bottom one is the most stable. Click on the dropdown to choose the installer for macOS Silicon (i.e. Apple M1, Apple M2 macs) or the Intel Mac. Click Download to get the .dmg file. See Figure 1.
- Mounting the Disk Image (dmg file)
- Once the download is complete, locate the “.dmg” file in your Downloads folder. Double-click the file, and macOS will automatically mount it, creating a virtual disk on your desktop. You’ll see a new window displaying the LibreOffice application icon and other files.
- Installing LibreOffice in macOS
- Simply drag and drop the LibreOffice application icon from the mounted disk window to your Applications folder. See Figure 2. You might be prompted for your administrator password during this process. That’s it! The installation is complete.
Launching LibreOffice and Exploring its Features
Click on the LibreOffice icon in your Applications folder, and voila! The LibreOffice suite will launch, revealing its familiar interface. Take some time to explore the different applications: Writer for word processing, Calc for spreadsheets, Impress for presentations, Draw for creating vector graphics, and Base for managing databases. You’ll find each application intuitive and packed with features that cater to your document creation and editing needs.
Setting LibreOffice as the Default Document Viewer
To make LibreOffice your go-to application for opening documents, right-click on any Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PowerPoint presentation file. Select “Get Info” from the context menu, and navigate to the “Open With” tab. Click on the dropdown menu and choose “LibreOffice (default). See Figure 3.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed LibreOffice on your macOS device and are now equipped with a powerful and versatile office suite at your fingertips. Remember, LibreOffice is a community-driven project, constantly evolving with new features and improvements. Don’t hesitate to explore the online resources and tutorials available on the LibreOffice website to unlock the full potential of this fantastic software.
Wrapping up
I hope this detailed guide helps you to effortlessly install and start using LibreOffice on your macOS device. Do let us know in the comment box below if you faced trouble installing it.