Automating Libreoffice with macros
Office Automation
in addition to its comprehensive tool set, Libreoffice packs a built-in Basic-like scripting language that can be used to automate repetitive tasks and extend the suite’s default functionality.
In skilled hands, the LibreOffice Basic scripting language can do wonders, but you don’t have to be a programming expert to write simple or more advanced macros that perform useful tasks. Whether you are a Linux home user or an IT specialist, you can use the built-in scripting powers of the LibreOffice/ OpenOffice suite to automate recurring tasks. This article provides some examples you can use as building blocks for your own LibreOffice Basic coding projects.
Looking up Words
Traditionally, an introduction to a programming language starts with a simple example that displays the “Hello world!” message. It’s cute, but not particularly useful. So instead, I’ll start with something more practical, like a simple macro to look up the currently selected word in Wikipedia. The key element of the macro is the Shell command, which is used to call external programs.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.
-
KaOS 2025.05 Officially Qt5 Free
If you're a fan of independent Linux distributions, the team behind KaOS is proud to announce the latest iteration that includes kernel 6.14 and KDE's Plasma 6.3.5.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 Now Available
The latest Linux kernel is now available with several new features/improvements and the usual bug fixes.
-
Microsoft Makes Surprising WSL Announcement
In a move that might surprise some users, Microsoft has made Windows Subsystem for Linux open source.
-
Red Hat Releases RHEL 10 Early
Red Hat quietly rolled out the official release of RHEL 10.0 a bit early.
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.