OpenOffice is a multilingual office suite available for most modern platforms. With its help, the user can create and edit text documents, presentations, work with tables, pictures and mathematical formulas. The package has been developing for twelve years and during this time has become one of best alternatives popular Microsoft Office. The main advantage of OpenOffice over Microsoft's creation is that the former is distributed completely free of charge. At the same time, it is practically not inferior in functionality to its “progenitor”, and in some ways even surpasses it. OpenOffice applications have a completely traditional interface for this kind of program. It gives users the opportunity to start working with documents without having to learn or get used to the new graphical shell. The package includes special wizards that are designed for beginners and make working with the program even easier.
It is also important that OpenOffice allows you to work with documents in a wide variety of formats, including those created in Microsoft Office. By the way, among the important differences from the latter, the free office suite has a huge number of templates for documents and presentations. There are also tools designed for working with databases and creating diagrams. And the last advantage of OpenOffice, which cannot be ignored, is its low system requirements.
Key Features and Functions
- is one of the best free alternatives to Microsoft Office;
- has a nice graphical interface;
- allows you to work with text documents, tables, presentations, formulas and databases;
- includes a huge number of templates for future projects;
- is cross-platform and multilingual.
The office suite can rightfully be considered an essential tool on any computer. We are all well aware of such products as iWork or Microsoft Office, but do you know what exists for them completely free alternative? It is called Apache OpenOffice and is in no way inferior to these two wonderful programs.
Six programs in one package - that's all you need
Apache OpenOffice comprises six independent programs solving different problems, in one package. These utilities give everything you need to create documents, from texts to vector graphics , A user-friendly design makes the application very easy to use.
Six instruments Apache OpenOffice
- Writer: word processor, which supports a large number of formats, including those related to Word. It includes various dictionaries and allows you to export any created document to PDF format.
- Calc: program Apache OpenOffice to work with spreadsheets, Compatible with document formats created in Excel. She can not only create custom tables, but also includes collaboration tools.
- Draw: a tool with which you can create both technical drawings and artistic drawings using vector graphics.
- Base: besides simple database management, with this tool you can organize and manage any type of data.
- Impress: PowerPoint compatible program is an application for create slideshows using all kinds of editable templates. Ready-made slideshows can be save in HTML formats or Flash.
- Math: tool for perform all kinds of mathematical calculations.
OpenOffice proves that even free programs can be very high quality. Download the office suite Apache OpenOffice from Apache for Mac because it is a serious and effective alternative to more common office suites.
OpenOffice this is a project that came to the Mac from the world of OpenSource (open source). Created initially for Linux, it gradually migrated to other platforms. OpenOffice, like all OpenSource projects, is free and created as an alternative to commercial programs, primarily products from Microsoft. In fact, we can say that the developers set the task of creating a complete analogue of Microsoft Office, but only free, and in general they succeeded. The functions, interface, and menu structure are almost identical to Microsoft Office. OpenOffice allows you to open and save Microsoft files, but also has its own formats for saving documents.
The version of OpenOffice for Mac OS X has a significant feature that can be called a disadvantage. From a programming point of view, this is a non-native program for Mac OS X, and requires the X11 environment, which is included with Mac OS X, starting with version 10.3. X11 is a special execution environment for programs originally written for UNIX and ported to Mac OS X, so to speak partially. This means that such programs do not use the Aqua graphics libraries that are part of Mac OS X, but use their own from the UNIX world. Apple designed X11 specifically so that a huge number of popular programs created for different UNIX systems could run on Macs without much effort on the part of developers. X11 is in many ways reminiscent of the Classic environment, that is, programs run in a separate execution environment and have a look that is characteristic not of Mac OS X, but of operating system, under which they were originally written. If you want, you can put X11 in full-screen mode, and then your Mac will visually turn into UNIX. OpenOffice is one of these programs and therefore has an appropriate interface (see figure), and also, importantly, keyboard shortcuts are accepted in the PC world. That is, roughly speaking, the Command (apple) key does not work, since in the PC-oriented world there is simply no such key. Because of this, you may have trouble switching languages, and note that all the usual key combinations begin with cntrl, not Command. But judging by its functionality, OpenOffice is a powerful package that can completely replace MS Office. It does not consist of separate programs, but like Apple Works switches into different modes, depending on the type of document, word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation creation.
Innovations in OpenOffice 3.0:
- New control (slider) to support multiple pages at once during editing (Writer)
- Improved work with notes (Writer)
- Added the ability to edit wiki documents (Writer)
- Number of columns increased to 1024 (Calc)
- Added the ability to collaborate between multiple users (Calc)
- Increased the maximum supported document size to 3 square meters (Draw)
- Added a fully functional table designer right inside the presentation (Impress)
Program in the catalog:
OpenOffice for Mac- a free, powerful office suite that provides good replacement Microsoft Office for Mac. This version is designed for older Mac PPCs running OS X 10.3 or higher. You can download the latest version for Intel Mac here.
Features all the Office tools you need
OpenOffice for Mac is a multi-platform and multi-language office suite that is compatible with all other office suites (meaning it will open and edit Word documents, Powerpoint, etc.) And, most importantly, it is absolutely free to use.OpenOffice for Mac includes key desktop applications such as text editor, a spreadsheet, presentation manager, and drawing program with a user interface and feature set similar to other office suites. It may not be as polished as Microsoft Office, but given that it gives you nothing at all, you really can't complain. The six components of OpenOffice for Mac come with Write, Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw, Base (database management), and Formula (math application).
Java may sometimes not respond to requests
Of course, there are some disadvantages to OpenOffice for Mac. Sometimes when using documents that were made in Microsoft Office, formatting or printing problems occur. The main one, however, is that since it is heavily Java-based, it can be quite slow and unresponsive, especially when opening new files. This has certainly been improved in latest versions, but is still sluggishly old compared to Microsoft Office. The numerous settings and buttons that come with it can also be a bit overwhelming, and it would be nice to see it streamlined and streamlined a bit in future releases.Great free solution for MS Office
If you're tied to cash or just don't want to install software Microsoft on your Mac, OpenOffice for Mac is an excellent, if slightly flawed, alternative.
A user who decides to switch from a Windows computer to Mac OS will not have an easy time at first. Despite the general similarity of control systems between Microsoft and Apple operating systems, there are still quite a few tangible differences.
Among other things, you won't find many familiar programs on the iMac and Macbook. As a rule, what new Mac OS users miss most is the Office suite. And here there are two ways - learn new programs or download familiar ones. If you decide to take the second path, this article is for you, in it we will tell you how to install the Microsoft Office package on a MacBook.
If you install the classic Word + Excel + Power Point on your computer, you have two options - official, but expensive, and illegal, but free. Which one to choose is up to you. We will cover both installation methods.
So, if you can afford to pay for “native” Word, then we proceed as follows:
Well, as you can see, everything is very simple. Now about whether there is any point in downloading trial version. In our opinion, there is, and here's why. The Microsoft office suite is not paid for at once, but in a subscription format, that is, every month you have to pay 339 rubles. Thus, the “Try Office for free” button makes sense - it allows you to use full version Word, Excel and Power Point for 30 days, that is, you get one free month and save 339 rubles.
As for the need to indicate banking data, according to the company, their indication is required “for the smooth operation of the programs after the trial period” - in short, this means the following - if after trial period, you decide to purchase programs, but forget to make a payment, the office will stop working, and when the card data is already available, the money is simply debited to right moment and you don’t need to worry about anything.
Microsoft Office Alternatives
At the beginning of the article, we mentioned that in addition to the Microsoft Office installation path, there is a way to work with alternative programs. This path is perfect for those who do not want to pay for the official package, but also do not want to download unlicensed software.
Let's start with the fact that Apple has a package similar to Word, Excel and Power Point - these are Pages, Numbers and Keynotes. Another free and very popular replacement is Open Office. However, it is worth noting that all alternatives are inferior in functionality Microsoft package. However, if the range of options you use is not very wide, then programs from Apple or Open Office will suit you just fine.
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