Introduction

The default office application in Kubuntu is OpenOffice.org 3.2. This office suite includes Writer, Calc, Draw, Impress and Math. This suite is the open source equivalent of the Microsoft Office suite, and each application corresponds to a similar product in that line. Calc is similar to Excel, Writer is like Word, Impress is similar to PowerPoint, Base and Access have similar functions. OpenOffice.org applications work well with the files created by their Microsoft counterparts, with the exception of Microsoft Access files.

All of these applications are installed by default. Kubuntu has renamed the titles listed in the Kickoff Application Launcher to reflect how the applications are used. For more information, visit the OpenOffice.org suite, found at OpenOffice.org.

  1. OpenOffice.org Impress (Presentation) can be used to create presentations. Most PowerPoint files may be opened flawlessly in Impress. OpenOffice.org Impress can be launched by going to Kickoff Application Launcher->Applications->Office->Presentation (OpenOffice.org Presentation).

  2. OpenOffice.org Calc (Spreadsheets) is a full-featured spreadsheet program. Calc supports multiple spreadsheets, built-in functions, and can read and write most Microsoft Excel formats. OpenOffice.org Calc can be launched by going to Kickoff Application Launcher->Applications->Office->Spreadsheet (OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet).

  3. OpenOffice.org Writer (Word Processor) is a full-featured word processor that can create simple or complex documents. Writer can be launched by going to Kickoff Application Launcher->Applications->Office->Word Processor (OpenOffice.org Word Processor).

  4. OpenOffice.org Draw provides complex functionality to create drawings, diagrams, charts and other business graphics. The application is object-oriented and allows for layering of various panes of work. Draw can be launched from within any other OpenOffice application or by pressing Alt-F2 and typing oodraw and pressing the Ok button.