MX Linux Forum

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:59 am**

A number of users have asked us to make this available, and we have now made it easy to install through MX Package Installer > Popular Applications, Office category. This version is free to use, and upgrades are available from SoftMaker for those wanting them. Details on the website:

https://www.softmaker.com/en/comparison ... ker-office

I've only taken a first quick glance but have seen enough that I want to explore it further for eventual office use.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:49 am**

This is my go-to Office software suite. I've used all of the Linux Office suites and I choose to use Softmaker's because I have a complicated formatted resume' done originally in Microsoft Office by a professional and Softmaker Free Office was the only Linux Suite to open it correctly with all of the formatting.

Thank you for incorporating this into MX Package Installer.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:25 pm**

Much thanks Jerry!
This is such a great Office Suite and it is nice not having to worry about file compatibility with Microsoft files in Linux.
Thanks again!

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:34 pm**

First issue I had, it ran out of memory loading my spreadsheet 637 Kb in size.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:43 pm**

For some reason I'm not seeing it in the package installer :(

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:48 pm**

Have you updated ? Try switching repos, it may not have come through yet.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:15 pm**

Installed without any issues here using MXPI.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 11:17 pm**

Jerry3904 wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:48 pm Have you updated ? Try switching repos, it may not have come through yet.

I got a few updates tonight, one was an update on the package installer, and then it showed up :)
Thanks again for doing this Jerry. I think a lot of folks will enjoy having it easily available.

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:41 am**

Does spell-check work for others? I can't make it work here. (UK).

I've used Tools>Options>Language to enable 'Use background spell-checking'.

The free version uses Hunspell dictionaries, and Synaptic shows the en_GB one as installed, but when I try to use the dialogue in Tools>Options>Language to install from
/usr/share/hunspell, it complains that it needs the dictionary file in .sox format, which is different from the standard Hunspell format.

Any ideas?

Chris

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:59 am**

chrispop99 wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:41 am Does spell-check work for others? I can't make it work here. (UK).

I've used Tools>Options>Language to enable 'Use background spell-checking'.

The free version uses Hunspell dictionaries, and Synaptic shows the en_GB one as installed, but when I try to use the dialogue in Tools>Options>Language to install from
/usr/share/hunspell, it complains that it needs the dictionary file in .sox format, which is different from the standard Hunspell format.

Any ideas?

Chris

(Apologies for replying to own post.)

I found that in spite of frequent references to needing Hunspell dictionaries, you actually need to go to the Softmaker website and download a free one in their own .sox format, then install the dictionary into Free Office. This is a similar process that was needed in Libre Office some years ago.

This is a bit of a negative IMHO. At least I have it working now.

Chris

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 4:13 am**

chrispop99 wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:59 am
I found that in spite of frequent references to needing Hunspell dictionaries, you actually need to go to the Softmaker website and download a free one in their own .sox format, then install the dictionary into Free Office. This is a similar process that was needed in Libre Office some years ago.

This is a bit of a negative IMHO. At least I have it working now.

Chris

Maybe those spellchecker dictionaries also need to be added as repo packages, along with any available language packs, as they are for LibreOffice?

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:41 pm**

chrispop99 wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:59 am
chrispop99 wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:41 am Does spell-check work for others? I can't make it work here. (UK).

I've used Tools>Options>Language to enable 'Use background spell-checking'.

The free version uses Hunspell dictionaries, and Synaptic shows the en_GB one as installed, but when I try to use the dialogue in Tools>Options>Language to install from
/usr/share/hunspell, it complains that it needs the dictionary file in .sox format, which is different from the standard Hunspell format.

Any ideas?

Chris
(Apologies for replying to own post.)

I found that in spite of frequent references to needing Hunspell dictionaries, you actually need to go to the Softmaker website and download a free one in their own .sox format, then install the dictionary into Free Office. This is a similar process that was needed in Libre Office some years ago.

This is a bit of a negative IMHO. At least I have it working now.

Chris

Hi Chrispop99

I'm having exactly the same problem as you described here only I don't know how to 'install the dictionary' which seems to have solved your problem.

I've downloaded the en_GB dictionary from the link you provided, unzipped it and put it in the softmaker > hunspell folder in the home directory but I'm still getting the same result. Can you outline please how to proceed?

I'd be most grateful

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:42 pm**

deanr72 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:41 pm

..then install the dictionary into Free Office.
[/quote]

Hi Chrispop99

I'm having exactly the same problem as you described here only I don't know how to 'install the dictionary' which seems to have solved your problem.

I've downloaded the en_GB dictionary from the link you provided, unzipped it and put it in the softmaker > hunspell folder in the home directory but I'm still getting the same result. Can you outline please how to proceed?

I'd be most grateful

[/quote]

somewhere in their menu (maybe in the one at the right end, don't quite remember) is a option to add the dictionary. Use that. There are 2 places the files need to go to be picked up, and the menu option will do it for you.

They really need to work on their packaging. its fairly terrible.

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:54 pm**

Oops. I was editing my post as you responded I guess..

Nope. I can't find it anywhere.

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:06 pm**

Blimey. Done it!

So, inside the Softmaker folder there's one called hunspell. BUT inside the folder called Settings there's another folder called hunspell. The dictionary files need to be in both. Then when you go through the options, it detects the dictionary. Phew.

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:25 pm**

Would you be willing to condense the problem and solution into one paragraph and put it in as a comment in the Wiki?

https://mxlinux.org/wiki/applications/free-office/

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:33 pm**

deanr72 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:06 pm Blimey. Done it!

So, inside the Softmaker folder there's one called hunspell. BUT inside the folder called Settings there's another folder called hunspell. The dictionary files need to be in both. Then when you go through the options, it detects the dictionary. Phew.

Not sure what you guys are doing .That's not the way to add manually a dictonary:
It as simple as explained on the web-site: https://www.softmaker.com/en/dictionaries

https://www.softmaker.com/en/dictionaries wrote:You can download a dictionary by clicking on the respective language. Then add it to SoftMaker Office by choosing the Options command from the File tab of the ribbon, switching to the Language tab and clicking on the Hunspell Dictionaries button.

I just re-done it this way to verify:
Example: Download (I show this here from command line using the copied link from the download site:

Code: Select all

wget  https://www.softmaker.net/down/hunspell/softmaker-hunspell-english-greatbritain.sox

Now Open Freeoffice:
-> File
-> Options
-> Hunspell dictionaries...
-> Add Hunspell dictionary
-> Navigate the the download "sox" file
-> Select the Dictionary-package (".sox"): softmaker-hunspell-english-greatbritain.sox
-> Enable background spellchecking and select the default language
Thats is.
Still not clear?

[Klare Sache und damit hopp.]

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:36 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:33 pm
deanr72 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:06 pm Blimey. Done it!

So, inside the Softmaker folder there's one called hunspell. BUT inside the folder called Settings there's another folder called hunspell. The dictionary files need to be in both. Then when you go through the options, it detects the dictionary. Phew.
Not sure what you guys are doing .That's not the way to add manually a dictonary:
It as simple as explained on the web-site: https://www.softmaker.com/en/dictionaries
https://www.softmaker.com/en/dictionaries wrote:You can download a dictionary by clicking on the respective language. Then add it to SoftMaker Office by choosing the Options command from the File tab of the ribbon, switching to the Language tab and clicking on the Hunspell Dictionaries button.
I just re-done it this way to verify:
Example: Download (I show this here from command line using the copied link from the download site:
Code: Select all
wget  https://www.softmaker.net/down/hunspell/softmaker-hunspell-english-greatbritain.sox
Now Open Freeoffice:
-> File
-> Options
-> Hunspell dictionaries...
-> Add Hunspell dictionary
-> Navigate the the download "sox" file
-> Select the Dictionary-package (".sox"): softmaker-hunspell-english-greatbritain.sox
-> Enable background spellchecking and select the default language
Thats is.
Still not clear?

[Klare Sache und damit hopp.]

Yep, that's how I did it.

Chris

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:50 pm**

OK, I'll paste that in for now. Pls check:

https://mxlinux.org/wiki/applications/free-office/

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:45 pm**

Jerry3904 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:50 pm OK, I'll paste that in for now. Pls check:

https://mxlinux.org/wiki/applications/free-office/

... looks great

... hope you have it spell-checked :lipsrsealed:

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 5:05 pm**

Looks like that landing page is just peachy, spelling wise :)

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2019 5:15 pm**

(I made one correction...)

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:21 am**

Well, I followed the instructions on the Softmaker website and continued to find the 'OK' button for selecting the dictionary unresponsive.

Maybe the key is in the wget command putting the dictionary in the appropriate folder?

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:47 am**

deanr72 wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:21 am Well, I followed the instructions on the Softmaker website and continued to find the 'OK' button for selecting the dictionary unresponsive.

deanr72 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:41 pm I've downloaded the en_GB dictionary from the link you provided, unzipped it and put it in the softmaker > hunspell folder in the home directory but I'm still getting the same result. Can you outline please how to proceed?

You did something different. Please read again the instructions. And potentially remove the manually copied stuff into that folder. In post above you mentioned you have unzipped the sox-archive, and copied files, which might be the issue with your procedure, instead of just leaving the sox-archive untouched and selecting as described.
Don't think that downloading with a web-browser or wget makes a difference.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 11:09 am**

deanr72 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:54 pm Oops. I was editing my post as you responded I guess..

Nope. I can't find it anywhere.

On the panel the spell check (abc) there is a drop down menu, choose settings, and choose your dictionary.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 11:27 am**

Jerry3904 wrote:A number of users have asked us to make this available

sorry... after the manjaro fiasco with the free office, i think i have to ask.
where did those users asked for free office? i don't remember seeing that in the forum...

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 11:39 am**

xali wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 11:27 am sorry...i think i have to ask.

What concerns do you have and why do you think you have to ask?
Thanks

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:08 pm**

i think i have to ask because i didn't see any users asking for free office
may i have an answer please?
thanks

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:10 pm**

Do a forum Search for 'freeoffice'.

Forum discussion posts do stretch back to May 2018.

What goes into the mxpi popular apps is really at the mx devs' initiative. Some are proprietary like freeoffice, masterpdf or Google chrome.

The apps are what the devs' think might interest the general/newcomer user , grouped into various categories.

It might not always be an express package request, just forum interest.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:15 pm**

I specifically requested that it be made available. I've used the software for years and it's proven very useful for me, and I thought it would for others as well. I contacted the devs at Softmaker and they agreed to allow MX to offer their free version. You have to choose it from the MX package installer. It's an option, like other proprietary software like Plex, etc. Many Linux users have found it handles Microsoft files better than Libreoffice.
Use it or not, MX just makes it available. They don't 'push it' or make money from it.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:16 pm**

I removed the en_GB file and then started again from scratch. I can confirm following the wiki instructions work.

In response to the question why Free Office? I use LibreOffice almost exclusively for work purposes but sometimes the formatting of .docx files - which I have to use - let me down.

I used to use WPS as a reserve but now they've removed the 'classic layout' from the options so I wanted to try another programme. I've often dabbled with FreeOffice over the years but until now found WPS as the best back-up. Now, perhaps, it'll be Free Office. We'll see.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 2:35 pm**

asqwerth wrote:Do a forum Search for 'freeoffice'.

Forum discussion posts do stretch back to May 2018.

i did. but the timing is surely odd as you certainly know.

asqwerth wrote:What goes into the mxpi popular apps is really at the mx devs' initiative. Some are proprietary like freeoffice, masterpdf or Google chrome.

The apps are what the devs' think might interest the general/newcomer user , grouped into various categories.

offering the choice to install easily a proprietary software like freeoffice and masterpdf is not a bad thing, maybe, and i also think that some users might find that useful. For example, i used both in the past (then i just used pdf instead of docx so ididn't need freeoffice for compatibility and also i discovered what libre office draw could do with pdfs that were not scanned pictures so i didn't need masterpdf). So that is not a problem for me. Moreover i believe that the devs have made very good choices in general, no problem there too.

KBD wrote:They don't 'push it' or make money from it.

Not making money from it, is a mistake if true. They should have made a deal to be sponsored from free office, in my opinion, for offering easy installation of their programm, that is not bad at all i think. But if they made a deal and then they tell to the community other things, that is serious. Because in that case, that would be deception and lie.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 2:51 pm**

Because in that case, that would be deception and lie.

What the...are you talking about? We did not make a deal, and are not interested in going that route. Ever.

We had user requests, we responded to them.

Posted: **Sat Aug 17, 2019 3:24 pm**

ok then... no more about it

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2019 11:01 am**

Excellent Office suite, good addition.

Posted: **Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:51 am**

It seems like a bad idea for the long-term to add software to the MXPI that will not be maintained automatically by mx updater. The abscence of SoftMaker was not a problem and a solution was not needed. (I've been off the forum for a couple of months for medical reasons.)

Posted: **Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:20 am**

figueroa wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:51 am It seems like a bad idea for the long-term to add software to the MXPI that will not be maintained automatically by mx updater. The abscence of SoftMaker was not a problem and a solution was not needed. (I've been off the forum for a couple of months for medical reasons.)

in this case, a repo is added that is run by the maker of the software. pretty much exactly the same situation as google-chrome, even if SoftMaker is smaller. so if they update their repo, then the software will update via mx-updater.

MXPI entries are generally for convenience. In this case, we don't do anything but enable a repo and run apt to install the software.

Posted: **Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:31 pm**

dolphin_oracle wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:20 am
figueroa wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:51 am It seems like a bad idea for the long-term to add software to the MXPI that will not be maintained automatically by mx updater. The absence of SoftMaker was not a problem and a solution was not needed. (I've been off the forum for a couple of months for medical reasons.)
in this case, a repo is added that is run by the maker of the software. pretty much exactly the same situation as google-chrome, even if SoftMaker is smaller. so if they update their repo, then the software will update via mx-updater.

MXPI entries are generally for convenience. In this case, we don't do anything but enable a repo and run apt to install the software.

Thank you, I misunderstood, not knowing that MXPI was just enabling Softmaker's apt repository. I have mixed feelings about doing this with closed source, commercial products but I'm totally impressed with MX's responsiveness to its users wants.

What happens after the 30 day free trial expires?

Posted: **Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:15 am**

On a side note, regarding Free Office, I noticed that some functions are disabled in the free version. For instance, when inserting an image, it is impossible to move it as in Word or LibreOffice (the dialogue box/windows is greyed). Another example is when trying to change the thickness of an inserted line, the thickness icon in the menu is greyed too. Not a big deal, there are ways to play around, but it is not as intuitive or as in Word/LibreOffice. Therefore, I sometimes use LO for the touch ups.

Posted: **Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:58 am**

figueroa wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:31 pm What happens after the 30 day free trial expires?

This thread is about FreeOffice, which does not have a trial expiration time.

Posted: **Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:46 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:58 am
figueroa wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:31 pm What happens after the 30 day free trial expires?
This thread is about FreeOffice, which does not have a trial expiration time.

Thank you, fehlix. It was very difficult to find there was a difference. After further digging by internet search, I find that Softmaker runs a different website for its free product and that there are no links or references to the free product from Softmaker's web site. I'm left scratching my head what the difference is between the products. I found a comparison page by internet search that does not appear to have a current link on the Softmaker website, but it seems dated: https://www.softmaker.com/en/comparison ... ker-office

FYI
https://www.freeoffice.com/en/
and
https://www.softmaker.com/en/

Posted: **Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:58 pm**

figueroa wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:46 pm It was very difficult to find there was a difference.

It's just two or three clicks on their website:
https://www.freeoffice.com/en/ -> Discover -> Comparision
Seems, some user forget to read and just using search engines.

Posted: **Fri Aug 23, 2019 3:20 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:58 pm It's just two or three clicks on their website:
https://www.freeoffice.com/en/ -> Discover -> Comparision
Seems, some user forget to read and just using search engines.

That particular "Comparison" is badly in conflict with the information I found on the Softmaker web site through the search engine. I found that meaningless and unhelpful.

Posted: **Fri Aug 23, 2019 3:43 pm**

In an earlier post I linked a Twitter comment from Softmaker that they are adding 'doc' format to Freeoffice like they have in the paid version. After the updates the only differences I can think of between paid and free version will be that the paid version offers a dark theme, and the icons don't say 'free' across the corner like with Freemaker, also I'm not sure how they handle updates in the free version. I'm using the paid version and get updates, but I had to add their repo.

Posted: **Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:54 pm**

I just downloaded a copy of freeoffice on another distro and noticed they no longer ask for an email to send you a registration key--it just installs like normal via software center or using gdebi.
Also a couple of Textmaker tips:
Under Tools-Options-Files menubar you can set default format for Textmaker. I set to docx for Textmaker. Under that same settings area you can set the default option to return to your last position in Textmaker within a document, as well as how many minutes to save the document.
Under Format-Character on the menubar you can set your default formatting. I like it to default to 12 point font instead of 10 point. Use the 'set as default' option, but make sure you tick the box enabling default to it on all documents, not just the current document.
On Freeoffice, Textmaker, a big weakness is no default word counter, but if you right-click on the status bar at the bottom left of the page on Textmaker and then check/tick statistics you will have a floating word count box that you can move where you want to on the page. I generally move it up to the top right on Textmaker. It may disappear if you update Freeoffice, then you just repeat the previous steps.
I mostly use Textmaker so will throw in another tip for it. Under the abc spelling icon at the menu or ribbon you can drop that down to enable background spelling.
Under 'help' and 'check for updates' if there is an update available it will take you to a page that describes how to set up updates:
https://www.freeoffice.com/en/tips-and-tricks-linux
Just scroll down the page a bit. After you set it up once it should continue to update.
Hope those help.

Posted: **Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:46 am**

I too have begun using this to see what it's like. So far the only thing I miss is the single launcher for the Office Suite (like LibreOffice variants offer). Anyway I built one using YAD; I have made the code available to anyone who might like it.

You will need to install YAD available from the repos.

The popup code (dialog) and images (so you can see what you're getting) are here (the third example):

http://eirenicon.org/knowledge-base/yad ... er-dialog/

Posted: **Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:18 am**

Some comments:

KBD wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:54 pm Under 'help' and 'check for updates' if there is an update available it will take you to a page that describes how to set up updates:

FreeOffice can be installed from MX Package installer -> Populare Apps. The softmaker repo is added and will take care for updates.

manyroads wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:46 am You will need to install YAD available from the repos.

Within MX Linux yad is pre-installed.

Posted: **Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:34 am**

manyroads wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:46 am I too have begun using this to see what it's like. So far the only thing I miss is the single launcher for the Office Suite (like LibreOffice variants offer). Anyway I built one using YAD; I have made the code available to anyone who might like it. You will need to install YAD available from the repos. The popup code (dialog) and images (so you can see what you're getting) are here (the third example):

http://eirenicon.org/knowledge-base/yad ... er-dialog/

That is nice. Good job manyroads!

Posted: **Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:36 am**

[quote=fehlix post_id=524934 time=1567433888 user_id=18947
FreeOffice can be installed from MX Package installer -> Populare Apps. The softmaker repo is added and will take care for updates.
Within MX Linux yad is pre-installed.
[/quote]

Thanks fehlix! I wasn't sure about how the updates were managed when installed from Package Manager.

Posted: **Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:41 am**

Just got in an email from Softmaker:

We have just released revision 970 of SoftMaker FreeOffice 2018. It offers a whole range of new features:

FreeOffice can now not only open documents in DOC, XLS and PPT formats, but also save them.
FreeOffice TextMaker can now also store documents in OpenDocument Text format.
All FreeOffice programs now feature an optional dark program interface ("dark mode") that is easy on the eyes.
As always with FreeOffice, these improvements are completely free of charge.

Posted: **Sun May 24, 2020 7:02 pm**

KBD wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:36 am
fehlix wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:18 am FreeOffice can be installed from MX Package installer -> Populare Apps. The softmaker repo is added and will take care for updates.
Within MX Linux yad is pre-installed.
Thanks fehlix! I wasn't sure about how the updates were managed when installed from Package Manager.

I just discovered it into the "Office tab" (softmaker office 2018), and it is a nice software, especially for MX-17to19 for a x32 bits versions. (because LibreOffice is now not updated for x32 versions)

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 12:15 am**

Are you using x32 in the same manner as Debian uses it? It refers to a different sort of setup--32-bit apps on a 64-bit kernel, as far as I can tell, not the standard i386 arch that MX uses for 32-bit.

Debian certainly builds 32-bit versions of Libreoffice for Debian--currently 6.4.4.2 is in buster-backports, for example.

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 4:04 pm**

@Stevo ... I use x32 when the kernel is for x32 and the computer too.
ex: here for a computer into MX18-3 x32 (not mine):
Kernel Linux 5.4.0-4-686-pae (i686)
Operating System MX 18.3 Continuum
Processor 2x AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 240 Processor

Via Anydesk and MXPI, for MX18-3, I can only find an old version of LibreOffice (6.0.1-1 MX stable repo) (6.1.5-1 MX test repo) (6.1.5-3 Debian repo)

https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/

Here for v 6.4.4, only 64 bits are available for linux (x32 and 64 versions for Windows)

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 8:23 pm**

Softmaker is working on their 2021upgrade right now:
https://www.softmaker.com/en/softmaker-office
Their beta is available to download and try out.

Posted: **Fri Jun 12, 2020 8:40 am**

Hopefully Softmaker will upgrade the free version too in the near future.

The best thing about it must be the compatibility with MS Office. This might make the online MS Office versions obsolete.
I have this installed alongside LibreOffice at the moment.

Posted: **Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:12 am**

user14 wrote: Fri Jun 12, 2020 8:40 am Hopefully Softmaker will upgrade the free version too in the near future.

The best thing about it must be the compatibility with MS Office. This might make the online MS Office versions obsolete.
I have this installed alongside LibreOffice at the moment.

Usually it is not too long after they release a new version that the Freeoffice version becomes available.
It is nice to know there is a free office version available on Linux that is fully compatible with MS Office. I love Libreoffice, but it is still a bit weak when it comes to full compatibility with MS Office formats.
Edit; Softmaker has released the full 2021 version of their office software, so Freeoffice should not be far behind.

Posted: **Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:00 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:58 am
figueroa wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:31 pm What happens after the 30 day free trial expires?
This thread is about FreeOffice, which does not have a trial expiration time.

Just today, FreeOffice 2018 required me to give them an email address in order to have a "free" product key. I have FreeOffice installed in 18.3 from the MXPI. I went ahead and did it.

Posted: **Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:09 pm**

That's weird. The last couple of times It has not required one from me. I installed Freeoffice about a week or so ago from a fresh MX install and have not been asked for an email, nor for the one before that. I suppose there could be a set time after using it that they ask for an email. I always have 2-3 throwaway email addresses that I use for such things.

Posted: **Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:20 am**

KBD wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:09 pm .... I suppose there could be a set time after using it that they ask for an email. ...

Yes. Their free version asks for a key after a while. But you can reuse the same key. So I got a key for the version of free Softoffice in my Manjaro install when finally requested, and reused the same key number when I installed SO in MX.

Posted: **Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:40 am**

asqwerth wrote: Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:20 am
Yes. Their free version asks for a key after a while. But you can reuse the same key. So I got a key for the version of free Softoffice in my Manjaro install when finally requested, and reused the same key number when I installed SO in MX.

That's a good idea. I will do that from now on.

MX Linux Forum

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Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available

Re: SoftMaker Free Office now available