LibreOffice 25.2 has been released as the first major update of the year for the open-source office suite available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This version brings a wide array of enhancements, including significant user interface changes, improvements in accessibility, and bolstered interoperability for smoother integration across different software.
The update has included 6 months of development efforts, with contributions coming from individuals working at ecosystem companies, The Document Foundation, and volunteers. This collaborative environment highlights the community-driven nature of open-source software.
What’s New in LibreOffice 25.2?
One of the key updates is the ability for LibreOffice to read and write using the latest OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4, which is essential for compatibility with Microsoft Office. Additionally, several privacy improvements allow users to automatically scrub personal information from documents, such as author names and editing history.
The user interface has undergone a major revamp, with new theming options for individual user customization. Users can now modify the colors in the interface through the Tools > Options > LibreOffice > Appearance section.
Enhancements in LibreOffice Applications
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Writer:
- Introduces updated default bullet styles, enhancements to the tracked changes manager, and better imports from DOCX files.
- Features a customizable comments background color and inline heading support.
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Calc:
- Now includes the capability to import and export
connections.xmlfiles in OOXML, along with improvements in search and duplicate records handling within spreadsheets.
- Now includes the capability to import and export
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Impress:
- Improves template management and allows objects to be centered quickly on slides. It also enhances the text frame capabilities with new visual effects.
Beyond these features, macOS users will benefit from integration with the built-in Quick Look feature for previewing documents without fully opening them.
Getting LibreOffice 25.2
For users seeking stable performance without needing the latest features, the previous version 24.8.x is recommended. However, those interested in exploring the new functionalities can download LibreOffice 25.2 from the official LibreOffice website. Installation files for various Linux distributions are also available through the LibreOffice PPA and the Canonical Snap Store or Flathub.
Additional Information
For complete release notes detailing all enhancements and bug fixes, users are encouraged to check the official release notes.