
The simplest way is to download the entire package from the Download Centre and follow the instructions. If you are distributing formatted text documents to a wide audience or people who may not have Microsoft Office, using the PDF format is probably the best possible option. This couldn't be easier and produces immaculate results.

One outstanding additional feature is the ability to export files as PDF ( Portable Document Files, the ones used by Acrobat Reader). Since they are the "native" formats, it makes sense to use these unless there is a good reason not to. also has its own proprietary formats (such as *.swx) which you can use if you prefer. If you're being picky you can find a few ways in which doesn't render external files formats 100% accurately, but the discrepancies are rare and minor. You can open files made in programs such as Microsoft Office (*.doc, *.ppt, etc), work with them and save them as any format you like. "plays well with others", and can comfortably work with dozens of common file formats. This requires more effort to get started than Access, but the end result is a much more flexible database system. Instead, it uses what are known as "datasources" to integrate with any type of database. doesn't come with a specific database application like Microsoft Access. One area which some people will find difficult is database work. If you love "features" like Microsofts' talking paper clip then you might be disappointed - doesn't really go for flashy interactive animations. There are some compromises but on the whole you get functionality rather than gimmicks.


has all the standard features you would expect with serious office software, from formatting and spell checking to macros and mail merging.
