free (or cheap) office

georgiesmum

the trial officce has fonished and am not prepared to pay megabucks to instal one. Been looking at somr freebies and some cheap ones on ebay but havent a clus
Never had this trouble on other computers as there was always a version installed. Only want a basic office and xcell. Can anybody point me in the right direction please.

pogofish

Office Online is free - slow but free:

https://products.office.com/en-gb/office-online/documents-spreadsheets-presentations-office-online

Abi Word is a free word processor that I really like and its reasonably Office-compatible. Can't help you with a spreadsheet.

hans_2

Read this thread then pm AndyPix for a key..

Ask nicely.;)

Cisco001

try open office or libre office

[Deleted User]

Don't forget to get one with a spell-checker ....

P0123

"pogofish" and "Cisco001"

As mentioned on previous post, replying to "AndyPix", I downloaded LibreOffice previously, on Martin Lewis' recommendation, but the format(s) of this (and I understand, Open Office,) are different to Word, and so when I send an item, (eg, a CV,) created on LibreOffice, it looks completely different to the recipient who usually has Microsoft Word. Of course, this doesn't look at all professional, and certainly won't get me an interview, let alone a job!
My biggest problem right now, though, is trying to complete application forms on my laptop, because most of them appear to be written on a Microsoft Office/Word programme, and will not allow me to edit it (to complete) from my laptop, and so I have to visit the local library. (At present, this isn't possible due to a popular virus that I have picked up, and so may well miss the closing date!)

All suggestions and advice very welcome. Thank you.

cookie365

You can set Libreoffice to save documents in docx by default, or you can select docx any time you Save As.

Same for the Excel and Powerpoint equivalents.

Anyway, you should only be sending stuff in docx format if you want the recipient to be able to edit it. Read only stuff like CVs you should save as pdf.

If you can't figure any of this out, you're probably better off using Office online as @pogofish linked to.

Undervalued

cookie365 wrote: »

You can set Libreoffice to save documents in docx by default, or you can select docx any time you Save As.

Same for the Excel and Powerpoint equivalents.

Anyway, you should only be sending stuff in docx format if you want the recipient to be able to edit it. Read only stuff like CVs you should save as pdf.

If you can't figure any of this out, you're probably better off using Office online as @pogofish linked to.

Yes, but as I have said before on here, the compatibility can be hit and miss at best.

Libra / Open Office are fine for creating your own work and printing it out. However there can be real issues with opening and saving files in docx format that have been produced on the real thing. Templates can be even more problematic. Sometime it is reasonably OK but equally seemingly very simply documents can have all kinds of issues.

At the very least check what you have saved in docx by using Word online. At least then you will know how it will look when opened in the proper program.

RumRat

As an excellent free alternative to Libreoffice give WPS Office a go....I've never found any problems working with word documents etc or producing them via WPS. It's completely compatible with MS.

DigForVictory

I use the offspring to get me a legitimate discounted genuine version. The right .edu.uk address & staying on good terms with the IT department (Jaffa cake enthusiasts) has paid for itself thousands of times over & that's with the Real Genuine Jaffas & no supermarket equivalents.

Always worth asking at school, then sending child in with giftwrapped biscuits... Nieces, godchildren - so long as they're the right age.

Undervalued

RumRat wrote: »

As an excellent free alternative to Libreoffice give WPS Office a go....I've never found any problems working with word documents etc or producing them via WPS. It's completely compatible with MS.

It may well be more compatible that Libra but I doubt if anything is completely compatible.

That said, I had to look at a fairly complex docx om an ancient Android phone and WPS did quite well. Certainly far better than Libra on a Mac.