How To Install LibreOffice on CentOS Stream 10

LibreOffice is a powerful, free, and open-source office suite that offers a comprehensive set of tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, LibreOffice provides a reliable alternative to proprietary office software. Installing LibreOffice on CentOS Stream 10 enhances your system’s productivity capabilities, ensuring you have access to essential office applications without the associated costs. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to installing LibreOffice on CentOS Stream 10, ensuring a smooth and efficient setup process.

Prerequisites and Preparations

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to ensure that your CentOS Stream 10 system meets all the necessary prerequisites. Proper preparation can prevent potential issues and streamline the installation process.

System Requirements

• Hardware: Ensure your system has at least 1 GB of RAM, 2 GHz dual-core processor, and 3 GB of available disk space.
• Architecture: LibreOffice is compatible with x86_64 architectures, which is standard for most modern desktops and laptops.
• Dependencies: Some additional libraries and tools may be required. These are typically handled automatically during the installation process.

Update System Packages

Keeping your system packages up-to-date is crucial for security and compatibility. Outdated packages can lead to installation conflicts and vulnerabilities.

sudo dnf update -y

This command updates all installed packages to their latest versions, ensuring that your system is ready for new software installations.

Enable EPEL Repository

The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository provides additional packages not included in the default CentOS repositories. Enabling EPEL is necessary to access some dependencies required by LibreOffice.

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

After enabling EPEL, it’s advisable to refresh the repository metadata:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 1: Downloading LibreOffice

Obtaining the latest version of LibreOffice ensures you have access to the most recent features and security updates.

Accessing the Official Website

Navigate to the official LibreOffice download page to access the latest stable release. Selecting the RPM version ensures compatibility with CentOS Stream 10.

Using the Command Line to Download

For users who prefer the command line or need to script the installation, downloading LibreOffice via terminal is efficient and secure.

cd /tmp
wget https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/stable/latest/rpm/x86_64/LibreOffice_Latest_Linux_x86-64_rpm.tar.gz

Downloading directly from the official site guarantees the authenticity of the package, avoiding potential security risks associated with third-party sources.

Step 2: Extracting the Downloaded File

After downloading the LibreOffice archive, the next step is to extract its contents to access the RPM packages necessary for installation.

Unpacking the Archive

Use the tar command to extract the downloaded tarball:

tar -xzvf LibreOffice_Latest_Linux_x86-64_rpm.tar.gz

This command decompresses the archive, creating a new directory named similar to LibreOffice_7.1.3_Linux_x86-64_rpm, depending on the version downloaded.

Navigating to the RPMS Directory

Change into the directory containing the RPM packages:

cd LibreOffice*/RPMS

This directory houses all the necessary RPM packages required for a complete LibreOffice installation.

Step 3: Installing LibreOffice

With the RPM packages ready, the installation process can commence. This step involves installing the core LibreOffice suite and any additional components.

Installing RPM Packages

Execute the following command to install all RPM packages within the current directory:

sudo dnf install *.rpm -y

The dnf package manager handles the installation, automatically resolving and installing any dependencies required by LibreOffice. This ensures a seamless installation experience without manual intervention.

Optional: Installing Language Packs

If you require LibreOffice in a language other than English, additional language packs can be installed. This enhances the usability of LibreOffice for non-English speakers.

sudo dnf install libreoffice-langpack-es-RPMS/*.rpm -y

Replace es with the desired language code (e.g., fr for French, de for German) to install the corresponding language pack.

Step 4: Verifying Installation

After installation, it’s essential to confirm that LibreOffice has been correctly installed and is functioning as expected.

Check Installed Version

Run the following command to verify the installed LibreOffice version:

libreoffice --version

The output should display the LibreOffice version number, confirming a successful installation. For example:

LibreOffice 7.1.3.2 0a3e3f44f1f6abcd1234567890abcdef

Launching LibreOffice

LibreOffice can be launched in multiple ways:

• From Terminal: Type libreoffice and press Enter.
• From Application Menu: Navigate to the “Office” section in your desktop environment’s applications menu and select LibreOffice.

Launching LibreOffice through either method should open the office suite, allowing you to start creating and editing documents immediately.

Alternative Installation Methods

While the RPM method is straightforward, there are alternative methods to install LibreOffice on CentOS Stream 10. These methods can be useful for users who prefer different package managers or require specific configurations.

Flatpak Installation

Flatpak is a universal package manager that allows for sandboxed applications, ensuring better security and compatibility across different Linux distributions.

To install LibreOffice via Flatpak:

sudo dnf install flatpak -y
flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

After installation, you can launch LibreOffice using:

flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

Using Flatpak ensures you receive updates directly from the Flathub repository, maintaining the latest LibreOffice version without manual downloads.

Snap Installation

Snap is another popular package management system that simplifies the installation of software across various Linux distributions.

To install LibreOffice via Snap:

sudo dnf install snapd -y
sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap
sudo snap install libreoffice

After installation, launch LibreOffice with:

snap run libreoffice

Snap provides automatic updates, ensuring your LibreOffice installation remains current without additional effort.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installing LibreOffice on CentOS Stream 10 is generally straightforward, but you might encounter some common issues. This section addresses potential problems and their solutions.

Dependency Errors

Sometimes, the installation might fail due to missing dependencies. The dnf package manager typically resolves these automatically, but manual intervention might be necessary.

• Solution: Run sudo dnf install *.rpm -y again to ensure all dependencies are addressed. If specific dependencies are missing, install them individually using sudo dnf install [package-name].

Flatpak or Snap Conflicts

Installing LibreOffice via multiple package managers can lead to conflicts, causing the application to malfunction.

• Solution: Choose one installation method and remove LibreOffice installations from other package managers. For example, if you installed via Flatpak, remove any RPM or Snap installations using sudo dnf remove libreoffice*, flatpak uninstall org.libreoffice.LibreOffice, or sudo snap remove libreoffice as appropriate.

Performance Issues

LibreOffice may experience performance lags or crashes, especially on systems with limited resources.

• Solution:
  • Disable unnecessary extensions and plugins to streamline LibreOffice’s functionality.
  • Adjust memory settings by navigating to Tools > Options > LibreOffice > Memory and optimizing cache sizes.
  • If Java is not required, consider disabling the Java runtime to free up resources.

Uninstalling LibreOffice

If you need to remove LibreOffice from your CentOS Stream 10 system, the process varies depending on the installation method used.

Removing RPM Installation

To uninstall LibreOffice installed via RPM packages:

sudo dnf remove libreoffice* -y

This command removes all LibreOffice-related packages from your system.

Removing Flatpak or Snap Versions

Depending on how you installed LibreOffice, use the following commands:

• Flatpak:

  flatpak uninstall org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

• Snap:

  sudo snap remove libreoffice

These commands ensure that LibreOffice is entirely removed from your system, regardless of the installation method used.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed LibreOffice. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing LibreOffice on your CentOS Stream 10 system. For additional Apache or useful information, we recommend you check the official LibreOffice website.