Hey, do you remember OnlyOffice? That open-source office suite I introduced to you some time ago? Well, guess what! A new version of OnlyOffice Docs has just been released, and the updates are pretty cool, you’ll see!
As a reminder, OnlyOffice is a fully online office suite similar to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, but it is open-source and can be self-hosted if you wish. It includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and even a file storage space for the most motivated users. And this isn’t just a small startup in a garage; we’re talking over 15 million users worldwide, thank you very much!
Now, let’s get to the star of the day: version 8.2 of OnlyOffice Docs.
First major update: collaborative PDF editing. No more headaches trying to work together on a PDF. Now it’s just like a regular document: everyone can edit at the same time. By default, it’s set to “strict co-editing” mode with paragraph locking (to prevent your colleague from accidentally deleting your masterpiece). But if you’re feeling adventurous, you can switch to “Fast” mode for real-time editing.
And as a bonus, they’ve even added a signature tool. For now, you can insert an image of your signature, but developers promise digital signatures are coming soon. Very handy for signing a contract without having to print-scan-send (come on, it’s 2024!).
The OnlyOffice developers have also revamped the interface. Now, you can choose between “fill” or “line” tabs (yes, that’s important), and you can even apply the toolbar color as the background for the tabs. For the office goths who suffer from eye strain in the evening, there’s even a gray theme. Personally, I’m still waiting for the “Matrix” theme, but hey, you can’t have everything.
In terms of performance, it’s quick! Opening files is 21% faster. And for the bearded folks using Kubernetes, they’ve even added deployment without downtime, so you no longer need to take the service offline for updates. That’s classy!
For advanced users (or those who just want to show off in meetings), there are also plenty of nice little improvements:
Field codes in word processing: Imagine being able to automatically update things like the date or page number. No more counting on your fingers!
Iterative calculations in spreadsheets: For those who enjoy a bit of complex math. You can now tell your spreadsheet to repeat an operation until it finds the perfect answer (or collapses from exhaustion).
The ability to draw on slides during a presentation: Perfect for doodling mustaches on your boss’s photo or highlighting that graph that shows you deserve a raise.
RTL (Right to Left) support in spreadsheets: For our friends who write right to left, your numbers won’t be in the wrong order anymore!
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! There are also new languages and improvements for pivot tables… In short, they’ve gone all out.
And for those always on the go (or who enjoy working from bed), know that OnlyOffice is available on Android and iOS too. You can edit your documents even when you’re stuck on public transport or pretending to listen at a boring family dinner.
As for security, OnlyOffice doesn’t mess around. The suite is GDPR compliant (so no selling your personal data to the highest bidder) and offers encryption options for your sensitive documents. Perfect for keeping family secrets… or your strategies to become the next Jeff Bezos.
So, are you tempted to try this new version?
You can always download the desktop applications for free to see how it looks. And if you’re really motivated, feel free to install the server version to have your own little office suite at home. It’s open-source, free, and downright cool.
And don’t worry about compatibility: OnlyOffice speaks OOXML fluently, so your Microsoft Office files will feel right at home. You can even integrate it with a bunch of platforms like WordPress, Nextcloud, or even Moodle if you’re the type who wants to torture your students with online homework.
In short, whether you’re a bureaucracy pro, a student drowning in assignments, or just someone who likes to have control over their data, OnlyOffice 8.2 has something to offer you, I’m sure of it! So, what are you waiting for to take the plunge?