Microsoft Office v the free stuff

[RHB]

My 2003 version of Office has finally reached the point where I can't install it on my Windows 10 laptop as it's been installed on far too many other laptops over the years. So.......what to do, buy a recent edition of Office or have a look at free packages. I've chosen the latter option and have been trying out Open Office and Libre Office. Both are good but Libre is probably the best of the two and is now my package of choice. If you're thinking of using either, then give both a try and see what you think.

 

[Mr Plow]

Google Docs is pretty good if you just want something to knock up a simple letter, spreadsheet etc and have it available anywhere.

https://www.google.co.uk/docs/about/

 

[maninasuitcase]

I couldn't load office onto my W10 laptop, so I went back to Open Office. I have used it for about six years or so. The only issue I have is it is a little slow to launch.

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

I use Libre, suits me fine.

 

[Firestorm]

We trialled open office here a few years ago, then I was given a workbook with all the data protected (in fact the sheet with the data was not even visible in XL, just the form which accessed individual lines based on a look up). I opened it in Open Office , got a message saying this is a protected workbook and did I want to ignore the protection , hit ignore and got access to all the data. IT deleted OA from all PC's and stopped the trial.
I would hope that that issue has now been dealt with in later releases

 

[MK Shrimper]

I've Apache Open Office at home, does the job but I barely use it.