install libreoffice ubuntu

LibreOffice is preinstalled on standard Ubuntu systems, but on minimal setups, you’ll have to install it manually. There are multiple ways to do this. 

Some of the methods, such as locally installing using a .deb file are not recommended as this restricts you from automatic updates. Instead, the developers recommend installing it directly from the Ubuntu repositories.

Install LibreOffice with snap

snap is the recommended method for installing the LibreOffice suite. This’ll provide you with the latest LibreOffice version, and you won’t have to worry about future updates either as snaps are regularly auto-updated.

sudo snap install libreoffice

Install LibreOffice with apt

If you don’t like the longer boot time of snap, you can use apt to install LibreOffice from the Ubuntu universe repo. Keep in mind that this package will be slightly older compared to the snap version, and you’ll need to manually update it as well.

sudo apt install libreoffice

Install/Update Latest LibreOffice Version

If you want the latest LibreOffice version using apt, you can add the LibreOffice PPA.

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa

Refresh your package index so that you can install or update to the latest version now.

sudo apt update

Once again, to install the latest version, use

sudo apt install libreoffice

Unlike snaps, packages installed using apt need to be manually updated. You will receive a notification when an update is available. But you can also check for the update with

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice

Install Individual Packages

If you want to install some of the components only instead of the full suite, you can perform a selective install. For instance, to install LibreOffice Writer only, you could use

sudo apt install libreoffice-writer

You can replace libreoffice-writer with the following keywords to install the respective packages.

  • libreoffice-calc: Spreadsheet
  • libreoffice-impress: Presentation
  • libreoffice-draw: Drawing
  • libreoffice-base: Database
  • libreoffice-math: Equation editor

Install LibreOffice Graphically

It’s also possible to install LibreOffice from the Ubuntu Software Center app if you prefer a GUI approach.

  1. Launch the Ubuntu Software Center and search LibreOffice.
    libreoffice ubuntu software center
  2. Open the libreoffice page if you want to install the suite. If you only want to install a specific program like libreoffice-writer, open the appropriate page.
  3. Select the source and press Install. The stable snap release will be selected by default.
    libreoffice ubuntu
  4. You can launch LibreOffice or the installed subcomponent afterward from the Applications menu.
    ubuntu libreoffice
Anup Thapa

Senior Writer

Anup Thapa is a Linux enthusiast with an extensive background in computer hardware and networking. His goal is to effectively communicate technical concepts in a simplified form understandable by new Linux users. To this end, he mainly writes beginner-friendly tutorials and troubleshooting guides. Outside of work, he enjoys reading up on a range of topics, traveling, working out, and MOBAs.