What's new in the free LibreOffice suite
Prepare to Jump

© Lead Image © Robert Collins, Unsplash.com
LibreOffice 5.4 is the last major release before the big jump to version 6. In addition to a number of updates, you can now sign Writer documents with OpenPGP.
Every six months, The Document Foundation publishes a new release of LibreOffice [1]. The versions in the fresh
branch offer experimental features aimed at users who want to test brand new functions, whereas the still
versions are for those who value reliability [2].
The new fresh
version 5.4, the last in the 5.x series before the big jump to version 6.0, is scheduled for early 2018. It comes with new toolbars, improved palettes and filters, and OpenPGP support for signing Writer documents. A test team looked at the new LibreOffice 5.4.0.3 under Debian 9.0 (Stretch, 64-bit).
LibreOffice developers have continued to modernize the appearance of the Office programs. In particular, the cleaned-up default color palette immediately stands out (Figure 1). Instead of colorfully mixed hues, the palette now follows the RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model reduced to 120 tones. A new palette for chart colors (not yet compiled and available as chart-palettes
) is also included.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.