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Libre Office - no create - Printable Version

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Libre Office - no create - MarkHoward - 07-07-2025

I installed Linux Lite 7.4 last week along with the associated version of Libre Office. (so - newbie)

When I open Libre Office, under the Create Menu, all the options are greyed out and unavailable.
In this situation, if I go Open File and navigate to an ODT file and click Open then I get a "Filter Selection" window with contents that suggest it thinks it's a chart.  It won't open.

If, however, I navigate to the same ODT file through File Manager and double click it, it opens faultlessly.  Same for .ODS files.

Is someone able to help me Create a new file or open an existing file through the main menu please?

Thanks, Mark

RE: Libre Office - no create - stevef - 07-07-2025

Quote:When I open Libre Office, under the Create Menu, all the options are greyed out and unavailable.
If you want the 'Create' options not to be greyed out, you need to install some more LibreOffice packages.
Click the system's 'Menu'  and begin typing 'Package Manager' into the search bar, when you see 'Package Manager' offered as a choice, click on it. Enter your password if asked.In the Synaptic Package Manage window, locate the 'Qucik Filter' box and type in
Code:
libreoffice-writer
scroll down until you see the matching entry, it should have a grey box under the 'S' column with an orange icon against it.
Click in the 'S' box and select 'Mark for Installation'
Repeat for
Code:
libreoffice-calc
Code:
libreoffice-draw
Code:
libreoffice-impress
Code:
libreoffice-base

Once done, Click 'Apply' on the top bar of the Synaptic window
You will be presented with a list of software to be installed and the option to cancel.
If you are happy, click 'Apply' and wait for the packages to be installed.
Once complete, open Libre Office and the Create menu should be functional.

Quote:In this situation, if I go Open File and navigate to an ODT file and click Open then I get a "Filter Selection" window with contents that suggest it thinks it's a chart.  It won't open.
I don't fully understand what you are saying here,  Does it work after installing the packages as above ?

Quote:If, however, I navigate to the same ODT file through File Manager and double click it, it opens faultlessly.  Same for .ODS files.
That's how I use it, I never found it necessary open the Libre Office program itself, always go direct to the files.

Quote:Is someone able to help me Create a new file or open an existing file through the main menu please?
Do you mean the Libre Office screen or the system's Main Menu ?

RE: Libre Office - no create - MarkHoward - 07-07-2025

Hi Steve
Quick question, before I install the packages ...

If I open either an existing ODT files or an existing ODS files from the Linux File manager Libre Office starts up and allows me to edit and save those files.

That suggests to me that at least the Writer and Spreadsheet packages are already installed and working.

Is that not the case? Do I still have to install those packages to get things working as they should?

RE: Libre Office - no create - stevef - 07-07-2025

LibreOffice is fully functional as it is.  You can double click on existing files from Thunar and they will open using the appropriate LibreOffice software (Write, Draw, Calc etc).  As an extra, if you put sample files into your home/Templates folder, it allows a right click in some empty space from Thunar, and then 'Create Document' and pick the type of document you want to create.

I thought your question was about opening the LibreOffice front end application and then creating files from that starting point. The LibreOffice front end is looking for the packages listed which aren't installed (by default) in Linux Lite.  If you want the LibreOffice 'Create' options not to be greyed out install the extra packages.

RE: Libre Office - no create - MarkHoward - 07-07-2025

Hi Steve.
Thanks for that explanation.
I have installed the packages as you suggested and it is all working as I expected.
I did not know how to create a new document without the "Create" options available.
But all good now.
Thanks again.

RE: Libre Office - no create - stevef - 07-08-2025

You're welcome.
Quote:I did not know how to create a new document without the "Create" options available.
For the individual launchers, click 'Menu', then Office, then choose Database, Spreadsheet, Drawing, Presentation or Word Processor as required.

Another method is to save blank versions of each type of file to the Templates directory.
Then when in Thunar right click in free space and select 'Create Document'.