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Typing letters

(25 Posts)
Cath9 Tue 06-May-25 17:57:55

I am often using the computer to type out letters.
However, as the start up button on my very old home made computer stopped working about a month ago.
My dear son has only just had time to transfer the huge memory that my old computer held onto another one.
What I want to know, is there any other free way of being able to type letters on a Computer? When my very old computer was made Word was free.

NotSpaghetti Tue 06-May-25 18:49:50

Are you looking for an alternative to Word?

Cath9 Tue 06-May-25 19:25:52

Yes

Cath9 Tue 06-May-25 19:30:01

To add.
As my son was in a hurry I paid to get Word for this year so it is for next year, or if there isn’t an alternative I thought of buying a cheap type writer next year

M0nica Tue 06-May-25 19:30:03

www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-word-processor

NotSpaghetti Wed 07-May-25 06:21:43

What a good article M0nica.

I hope you find something suitable Cath
🤞

Cath9 Thu 08-May-25 17:07:23

Soon after my query I realised that most of my files were written in Word which I will have to find out if I can transfer them to a free website

25Avalon Thu 08-May-25 22:07:43

I have Libre Office and find it very good and simple to use for letters and documents as well as other applications.

RedRidingHood Thu 08-May-25 22:16:34

I've not had word for years.
Libre office is good. Looks and works just like word but is free.
I just use Google sheets and drive now. I don't use them for anything complicated, just basic documents/ letters.

Madmeg Thu 08-May-25 22:22:59

I have paid the fee for the Microsoft Office package for a couple of years cos I didn't know any better, but begrudge the cost now I'm not doing any self-employed work to claim the cost against.

If I switch to something like Libre Office, will my hundred of existing saved documents work okay on Libre?

RedRidingHood Thu 08-May-25 22:24:48

Yes. Libre office is compatible with office.
I avoid anything Microsoft related on my computer.

Madmeg Thu 08-May-25 22:26:37

Thank You RRH.

ddraig123 Sat 10-May-25 13:46:36

I downloaded Open Office for free when I upgraded my Desktop to Windows 10 and lost Word etc. It has Text, Spreadsheet and Database etc. Not all Microsoft features, but certainly good enough for letters and simple spreadsheets.

mabon1 Sat 10-May-25 13:46:58

Yes

Tuskanini Sat 10-May-25 14:01:26

You want Libre Office (Open Office). It will read your .doc and .docx files. Just one thing to watch for - by default it will save new files in its own format. You need to choose the setting that uses Office formats instead.

Cycorax Sat 10-May-25 14:31:07

Google Docs comes free with Google. It has most of the Word features that the average user needs. It converts to Word and other formats quite successfully.

FranP Sat 10-May-25 14:42:38

many new PCs come with open office these days and they open word documents OK.

pixietrix Sat 10-May-25 16:21:24

I do use word because I am comfortable with it but I buy 'a lifetime' version for my computer off Amazon. Costs about £40.00 for Office but you can only load it onto one computer.

4allweknow Sat 10-May-25 16:51:34

I have used Libre for years. Letters, spreadsheets, databases and never any problems.

arum Sat 10-May-25 19:10:32

I use Open Office

Notagranny44 Sun 11-May-25 13:18:12

I'd like to have the ability to voice-type if possible. Does anyone know if you can do that in LibraOffice, please?

Katek Sun 11-May-25 13:36:30

more

You can use Microsoft Word for free through its online version, Word for the web. You'll need a Microsoft account, which is also free to create,

Warmglovesandsocks Sun 11-May-25 14:25:21

Well I don’t have a Microsoft account and I also changed my email address from Hotmail as Microsoft were wanting me to pay for it. I just upgraded to Windows 10 and use Word on that, but I haven’t paid for anything!

TwinLolly Sun 11-May-25 14:50:39

We use Libre Office - recommended by my sisters.

Cath9 Thu 29-May-25 19:08:24

Thanks SO much all. especially when I didn’t expect to get an answer.
I have now another query which I have added here