I need to be able to open and edit Microsoft word documents, PDF files, and excel spreadsheets. My computer that I bought a few years ago only came with a trial version, Microsoft office 2010, and I think you have to pay yearly like $95....something called Microsoft 365. Whats the best option for me?
Microsoft Hardware.
- Thread starter montero1
- Start date
- Status
If you want free, look at Open Office. That will allow you to work with MS Word and Excel documents.
But as far as editing PDF, I don't think there is anything free. Unless you just want to view PDF, in which case there are plenty of freebies out there.
But as far as editing PDF, I don't think there is anything free. Unless you just want to view PDF, in which case there are plenty of freebies out there.
I 3rd OpenOffice, have it installed in 8 computers at home and near family.
Libre Office. Similar to Open Office, but I have found it to be a much better program.
In addition to the subscription based Office 365, you can still get installable versions.
If you know somebody affiliated with a college (faculty, staff, or student), they might be able to help you out. I get a downloadable installer for Office to use at home, and there's no restrictions on it so I can distribute it among my friends. I also have the option of getting very low cost DVDs of Office. I can get various versions - so if I wanted the newest one, I could get that but I'd still be able to buy the older version and give it to a friend (last time I looked it was about $20).
If you know somebody affiliated with a college (faculty, staff, or student), they might be able to help you out. I get a downloadable installer for Office to use at home, and there's no restrictions on it so I can distribute it among my friends. I also have the option of getting very low cost DVDs of Office. I can get various versions - so if I wanted the newest one, I could get that but I'd still be able to buy the older version and give it to a friend (last time I looked it was about $20).
Originally Posted By: montero1
Ok, how about a pdf editor. I don't mind paying a lil, just not a lot.
You could try PDF-Xchange Editor...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2096946/5-cheaper-alternatives-to-acrobat-for-pdf-editing.html
Ok, how about a pdf editor. I don't mind paying a lil, just not a lot.
You could try PDF-Xchange Editor...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2096946/5-cheaper-alternatives-to-acrobat-for-pdf-editing.html
I have Office 2010 trial that came on an Emachine. It has limits as to what you can do, but for my needs of creating or editing documents it is fine. I pretty much never use Excel but it is included.
I have Libre Office on a computer with Linux and have used Open Office. I have found some documents just do not look the same when going from Libre Office to Word 2010. Margins will be off, etc. So for work I keep the trail version on my computer. It is free. You just get ads in right margin saying..buy the new paid version.
You can try the trail version of Office 2010. If it does not meet your needs then Libre Office would be my next choice.
Both are free. My motto is "if it is free it is for me".
I have Libre Office on a computer with Linux and have used Open Office. I have found some documents just do not look the same when going from Libre Office to Word 2010. Margins will be off, etc. So for work I keep the trail version on my computer. It is free. You just get ads in right margin saying..buy the new paid version.
You can try the trail version of Office 2010. If it does not meet your needs then Libre Office would be my next choice.
Both are free. My motto is "if it is free it is for me".
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2010
- Messages
- 9,835
Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Libre Office. Similar to Open Office, but I have found it to be a much better program.
^^^ This (LibreOffice) and as others have said--Google Docs. If I did not have the $9.99 version of Office 2013 from the MS Home Use Program provided by my company, I would be using LibreOffice myself. PDFEdit is a free PDF editor that may work for you as well.
Libre Office. Similar to Open Office, but I have found it to be a much better program.
^^^ This (LibreOffice) and as others have said--Google Docs. If I did not have the $9.99 version of Office 2013 from the MS Home Use Program provided by my company, I would be using LibreOffice myself. PDFEdit is a free PDF editor that may work for you as well.
PDF is based on PostScript (language, of sorts). There is ghostscript out there since forever, and a bunch of programs with it. And it's free. Not as polished as Adobe Acrobat, of course. Spend some time searching for free PDF editors, you may need to try a few before settling on the one you like.
I used to use LibreOffice. But I rarely need to use it's full potential. I primarily use it's Calc (Excel) to edit my bill spreadsheets monthly. Then I discovered OneDrive. Once you copy/save your Office file onto the OneDrive folder onto your computer, you go to Onedrive.com and double click on your Word/Excel file and the Office online version of Office works right on your browser to edit/save it.
Again, it is an online version so there can be some latency, but it's got great versioning, meaning you will never lose your file even if you get disconnected and you can revert back to older versions. I had no need to install LibreOffice ever since. It's great if you occasionally use Office. By the way, this is all with the free version.
Again, it is an online version so there can be some latency, but it's got great versioning, meaning you will never lose your file even if you get disconnected and you can revert back to older versions. I had no need to install LibreOffice ever since. It's great if you occasionally use Office. By the way, this is all with the free version.
Last edited:
I agree with what everyone else is saying:
1.) LibreOffice and OpenOffice. Great productivity suites that can also make and edit documents in Microsoft formats. They can even make .pdf files but cannot edit them. My business has been totally dependent on LibreOffice since it was introduced, before that OpenOffice since when I opened the business.
2.) OpenDrive lets you use Word, Excel and Powerpoint from the cloud. You do need fast internet, but even a weak netbook has enough power to use them. Just sign up for OneDrive with a valid e-mail address and start working. One drawback is that if you are without internet you won't be able to edit your files. My daughter uses OneDrive Powerpoint frequently for school projects because if she makes them with LibreOffice, then views them at school with Powerpoint the margins, etc., will be messed up.
1.) LibreOffice and OpenOffice. Great productivity suites that can also make and edit documents in Microsoft formats. They can even make .pdf files but cannot edit them. My business has been totally dependent on LibreOffice since it was introduced, before that OpenOffice since when I opened the business.
2.) OpenDrive lets you use Word, Excel and Powerpoint from the cloud. You do need fast internet, but even a weak netbook has enough power to use them. Just sign up for OneDrive with a valid e-mail address and start working. One drawback is that if you are without internet you won't be able to edit your files. My daughter uses OneDrive Powerpoint frequently for school projects because if she makes them with LibreOffice, then views them at school with Powerpoint the margins, etc., will be messed up.
Love LibreOffice.
- Status
Similar threads
