ONLYOFFICE Desktop EditorsLinux
vs
Microsoft OfficeWindows
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Office
Updated
Our verdict
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a solid replacement for most Microsoft Office users who need word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations on Linux. It works well for students, small businesses, and anyone who can tolerate a different interface and the lack of deep Outlook integration or advanced VBA support. For heavy macro users, enterprise‑grade security, or those who rely on Outlook/Exchange, Microsoft Office remains preferable.
- License
- AGPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 10.0.0 (October 13, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Full support for Office Open XML formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
- Tab‑based UI for handling multiple documents
- Basic email client integration via mailto links
- Support for password protection and digital signatures
- Plugin system for extended functionality
What is different
- No native Outlook/Exchange integration
- Limited support for complex VBA macros
- No built‑in advanced project management tools like Planner
- No native cloud services beyond optional Nextcloud/ownCloud sync
- No advanced security features such as Information Rights Management
Opening your Microsoft Office files
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors opens and edits .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, and PDF files with high fidelity. Exporting to these formats preserves most formatting, but some complex features (e.g., advanced conditional formatting, certain chart types, or macro‑enabled files) may lose functionality or require manual adjustment. Overall compatibility is good for everyday documents.
Switching from Microsoft Office to ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, step by step
- Export existing Office documents to .docx/.xlsx/.pptx if not already in those formats.
- Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors via your distribution’s package manager or Flathub.
- Open each document in ONLYOFFICE to verify formatting and functionality.
- Adjust any macros or advanced features that do not run, or recreate them using ONLYOFFICE’s scripting options.
- Set up cloud sync (Nextcloud/ownCloud) if you need real‑time collaboration.
- Configure email links to open in your preferred mail client if needed.
Key features of ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
- Full Office Open XML support (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
- Tab‑based UI for multiple documents
- AI chat and AI agents for translation, OCR, form auto‑fill
- Plugin system for image editing, code highlighting, Markdown conversion
- Password protection and digital signatures
- Offline editing with optional cloud sync (Nextcloud, ownCloud, etc.)
- Cross‑platform (Linux, Windows, macOS)
How to install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.onlyoffice.desktopeditorsFrequently asked questions
Does ONLYOFFICE support VBA macros?
OnlyOFFICE can run simple VBA macros in some cases, but complex or advanced macros may not work correctly. Users should test macros before relying on them.
Can I use ONLYOFFICE with my existing Office files on Windows?
Yes, you can open, edit, and save .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files directly in ONLYOFFICE on Linux, and the files will remain compatible with Microsoft Office on Windows.
Is there a cost for using ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors?
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is free and open‑source under the AGPL‑3.0‑only license. No subscription or purchase is required.
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