Hey everyone! I'm currently working on my PhD in a math-heavy field and I mostly write my documents using LibreOffice Writer on Linux. I've run into some issues when sharing these documents with others who are using Microsoft Word. It seems that equations don't display properly, particularly because some essential fonts like Calibri and Cambria aren't available on my Linux setup. I've installed the common MS fonts, but I'm struggling with this specific issue. I'm using PDFs as a temporary solution, but it would be great to have a more collaborative way to edit and share Word documents. Has anyone else faced this problem? What solutions have you found? I'm considering using MS 365 online, but I'd prefer to find alternatives if possible.
7 Answers
If you want fewer headaches, think about using markdown for sharing your files. It supports LaTeX-style math expressions, and you could use repositories for collaboration. Just an idea, but it might save you some hassle in the long run!
You might be able to work around the missing Calibri and Cambria fonts by copying them over from a Windows machine or looking for font alternatives. There's a discussion on how to get those fonts on Linux if you're interested! Also, I suggest checking out OnlyOffice; it's known to play nicely with files across different operating systems.
Give OnlyOffice a try! Although it's a bit less feature-rich than LibreOffice, it has better compatibility with Microsoft software, which could make your collaboration easier. You can edit in LibreOffice and then convert to docx in OnlyOffice for the final touches.
If you're still looking to solve the font issue, check out this guide. It provides steps on getting Calibri and Cambria fonts set up on Linux safely. Might be worth a shot!
For mathematical equations, try using LibreOffice Math to generate visuals for complex equations. You can also ask your colleagues to comment using simple tools like Paint. The Noto fonts available from Chrome may also help since they can be installed on both systems.
Consider using WPS Office, which is free for Linux. It provides good compatibility and is user-friendly, with some paid options if you want PDF support.
If you and your team are comfortable with TeX, I highly recommend using Overleaf! It allows for seamless collaboration, so everyone can comment and modify the source wherever they are. I've had great success with it for my physics papers, and the final PDFs look consistent across different devices. Plus, LaTeX is fantastic for managing equations—once you get the hang of it, you'll find it hard to switch back!
Absolutely! The community around LaTeX is huge, so there’s plenty of help out there if you run into any issues. Plus, once you dive in, you realize how powerful it is for document preparation.
Thanks for the tip! I noticed that older posts about the fonts had gone stale, so I was hoping for updated info.