1. Creating & Opening Documents

Starting with word processing involves creating a fresh workspace or retrieving an existing file for further edits. In LibreOffice Writer or Microsoft Word, the processes are generally identical.

  • Creating a New Document: Whenever you launch the word processor, a blank document usually opens automatically. To manually create a new file, go to File > New > Text Document.
  • Opening an Existing Document: To access a saved file, navigate to File > Open.... A dialog box will appear, allowing you to browse your computer's directories and select the desired file.

Pro Tip: Recent Documents

Instead of manually searching for a file you recently worked on, use the File > Recent Documents menu to quickly open it with a single click.

2. Saving Documents

Saving your work frequently is vital to prevent data loss. There are two primary saving options you need to understand:

Save Option Functionality When to Use
Save Updates the existing file with the latest changes without altering the filename or location. When working on a file that has already been saved at least once.
Save As Allows you to save a copy of the current document under a new name, in a different format, or in a new location. When saving a file for the first time, creating a backup copy, or exporting to another format.

Understanding File Formats

When you use the "Save As" function, you must choose a file format. The default file format for LibreOffice Writer is .odt (OpenDocument Text). However, if you need to share the file with Microsoft Word users, you can select the .docx or .doc extension from the dropdown menu.

3. Closing Documents & Help

Once you finish working on a document, you can close it without exiting the entire application by going to File > Close. If you have unsaved changes, the software will prompt you to save them.

If you encounter a problem or need to understand a specific feature, pressing the F1 key will bring up the built-in Help system, offering searchable documentation.

4. Page Setup & Layout

Page layout settings define how text and other elements are positioned on the printed page. These settings can be adjusted by navigating to Format > Page Style....

Margins

Margins are the blank areas around the edges of the page (Top, Bottom, Left, Right). A Gutter margin adds extra space to the side or top margin of a document intended to be bound.

Orientation

Portrait: The page is taller than it is wide (default).
Landscape: The page is wider than it is tall, suitable for wide tables or charts.

Page Size

Defines the physical paper size. The standard default is A4, but other common sizes include Letter and Legal.

5. Adding Borders & Watermarks

To enhance the visual appeal of a document, you can apply borders and watermarks.

  • Page Borders: Go to Format > Page Style... > Borders tab. Here, you can define line arrangements, styles, colors, and line widths for the edges of your pages.
  • Watermarks: A watermark is a faint image or text displayed behind the main content (e.g., "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT"). In LibreOffice, navigate to Format > Watermark..., enter the desired text, select a font, and define the angle and transparency.
Note: Watermarks are typically applied across all pages that share the same page style.

6. Print Preview & Printing

Before sending a document to the printer, it is highly recommended to use the Print Preview feature (File > Print Preview). This shows exactly how the pages will look on paper, saving ink and paper by helping you spot layout errors.

To print the document, go to File > Print.... The print dialog allows you to select:

  • The physical printer to use.
  • The range of pages to print (e.g., All pages, current page, or specific pages like "1-3, 5").
  • The number of copies required.
  • Whether to print double-sided (duplex printing).

7. Saving as PDF

Portable Document Format (PDF) is the universal standard for sharing documents while preserving the layout, fonts, and formatting, regardless of the operating system or software used by the recipient.

In LibreOffice Writer, you can export your file directly to PDF using the toolbar icon "Export Directly as PDF" or by navigating to File > Export As > Export as PDF.... The latter option provides advanced settings like compression, password protection, and initial view settings.