Why does LibreOffice Writer need a how-to? Aren’t millions familiar with it through daily use? Not exactly – many use LibreOffice inefficiently, ignoring the tools designed to make work easier, and do everything the hard way. It's like dragging your feet instead of using the brakes.

When using LibreOffice, or any word processor, most people type some text, pause to format the text before typing more, and then repeat the process, which is slow and likely to interrupt one's train of thought. To change the format, a user must go through the document individually updating every instance of the old format. This method of working is known as direct or manual formatting.

Word processors in general, and LibreOffice Writer in particular, are not primarily designed for direct formatting. They can be used that way and even have tools to help users who insist on direct formatting. Instead, LibreOffice is most efficient when using styles, its equivalent of programming variables.

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