Distro: Slackware 14.0, 64 bit
LibreOffice: Alien Bob's libreoffice-3.6.4-x86_64-1alien
Full disclosure: I know next to nothing about word processors, as I dislike them intensely and do all my writing with a text editor in the CLI. My current task is to help correct/proofread/edit a manuscript written by a friend who uses Microsoft.

Several times I have been able to download attachments (sent to me via Gmail) that are in Microsoft Word format .docx, read them, and write to them, using LibreOffice Writer. Now loading the .docx files, as well as creating and saving them, fails.

My customary procedure was to download the .docx attachment sent to me, go to /home/user/Downloads, open the .docx file in LibreOffice Writer, and read/write. Using File Manager, I have checked the size and permissions of those .docx files in /home/user/Downloads, and I see nothing unusual or disqualifying. My customary procedure should still work.

I assumed there's a corrupt file in LibreOffice, and, using pkgtool, removed and then reinstalled the app. I checked to see that it is present and complete.

I have asked my correspondent to try to convert his .docx files to plaintext. That solves nothing, but it does avoid what I assume is broken software in my box.

It's as if there were some sort of "grace period" or limit LibreOffice places on the use of Microsoft word processor files. (!!!)

Addendum: guessing wildly, I tried opening a .docx file with Abiword. I would have bet good money that would never work. I'm amazed to report that I would have lost the bet! What's going on??

Tips and suggestions are solicited, and thanks in advance to all for contributing!

This isn't a solution as such, but it might be a work-around. The Apache people have taken over the development of Open Office. I use Open office to open (but not save) docx and xslx files. I haven't tried with Libre Office recently. might try that this weekend...

1 members found this post helpful.

libreoffice-3.6.4
is a bit OLD
LibreOffice_4.1.4.2 is the current version

updating the the current LibreOffice might solve your problem

BUT it has NEVER !!!! been a good idea to save and resave to Microsoft Propitiatory formats in OO or LO
-- it WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS !!!!!!!!
save as a odt
then if you NEED a windows office ? office what ???
-- pre docx
MSoffice 2002
MSoffice 2003
MSoffice 2005
MSoffice 2007
-- post docx
MSoffice 2008
MSoffice 2010
MSoffice 2012
MSoffice 2013 office 365

resave it is that



what version od Microsoft Office is this person using ?
that old LO 3.6 will not be able to read the new MS office 2013 format
mind yo MS office 2008 will not be able to read the 2013 format

1 members found this post helpful.

Thanks to everybody for the answers!

My antipathy for word processors just expanded. Never mind; it's good to know where I went wrong. I'm going to discuss some strategies for coping with my friend. Now to see whether I can mark this thread solved....

My recommendation: Use SoftMaker FreeOffice instead of LibreOffice / OpenOffice.

This office suite (available for Windows or Linux)ist not open source, but also free of charge:

www (dot) freeoffice (dot) com/en

Compared to LO / Ooo, it needs less resources (< 58MB), starts and operates faster, and (now it comes)its compatibility with Microsoft Office formats is much, much better, and it doesn't include those annoying bugs (I use it for a year and never ever had any problem, but when I used LibreOffice for three month, I had plenty of oddities). UI is also better structured and more comfortable. Try it out.

get your friend to save the files in .doc format. That format seems to be easier to exchange.

Also, LO runs on Windows! Maybe your friend can use that and exchange in odt format