ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors vs PowerPoint Viewer: is it a good Linux alternative?

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors as a Linux alternative to PowerPoint Viewer

Updated October 28, 2026

Our verdict

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a good replacement for PowerPoint Viewer if you need to view .pptx files with animations, transitions, and embedded media on Linux. It handles read-only viewing well and supports full-screen playback, thumbnails, and hyperlink navigation. While it’s primarily an editor, its read-only mode works reliably. Users who only need to view presentations—especially those shared in .pptx format—will find it functional and stable. However, if you rely on very old .ppt files, test first, as support is less consistent.

Feature parity90%

License: AGPL-3.0-only
Price: Free
Latest version: 10.0.0 (October 13, 2026)
Rating: —

Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors Website ↗

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What works the same

Supports viewing .pptx files with animations and slide transitions
Allows full-screen presentation playback and thumbnail navigation
Opens hyperlinks within slides
Handles embedded media and basic playback
Free to use with no editing required

What is different

Primarily designed as an editor, not strictly a viewer
Older .ppt (PowerPoint 97-2003) support is limited and may not render perfectly
Larger install size and more background processes than a minimal viewer
No dedicated 'viewer-only' mode to disable editing entirely

Opening your PowerPoint Viewer files

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors fully supports .pptx files, the same format used by modern PowerPoint versions, and renders animations, transitions, and embedded content correctly. It can open many .ppt files, but formatting, especially complex animations or older media types, may not display accurately. If your files were created in PowerPoint 2007 or later, compatibility is strong. For legacy .ppt files, conversion to .pptx on the sender's side ensures best results.

Switching from PowerPoint Viewer to ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, step by step

Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors via Flathub, Snap Store, or official .deb/.rpm
Launch the app and open .ppt or .pptx files by double-clicking or using File > Open
Use the 'Slide Show' button to view in full screen with transitions
Navigate slides using thumbnails or keyboard controls
Verify that hyperlinks and embedded media play as expected
Keep the app updated to maintain compatibility with newer file features

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 (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.onlyoffice.desktopeditors

Frequently asked questions

Can ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors open .ppt files from old PowerPoint versions?

It can open many .ppt files, but support is not guaranteed. Complex formatting or animations may not render correctly. For reliable results, convert .ppt to .pptx when possible.

Does it support playing embedded videos and audio?

Yes, it supports embedded media in .pptx files, but playback depends on system codecs. MP4 and common formats usually work; others may not.

Is there a way to disable editing and use it as a pure viewer?

Not officially. The app doesn't have a locked viewer mode, but you can simply avoid making changes. Files open read-only by default if permissions prevent editing.