Microsoft Word defaults to saving in its own file format .docx, instead of the ISO standard for word processing (.odt)
To allow others to collaborate, Microsoft publishes documentation on how Word builds and opens .docx files.
So LibreOffice would have no trouble opening .docx files with all formatting perfectly intact.
If Microsoft actually followed their own documentation when building Word. Which they don't.

The other issue is that people use Word files to share documents with extensive formatting and embedded images in the first place, instead of converting them to PDF or using typesetting software.

[–] pastermil@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's a dilemma. MS might be breaking shit but they're still the biggest player. It was mostly thru the fact people can open docx that people are willing to try LibreOffice in the first place.

Hopefully now that they have large players behind them, they can start shifting the terrain.

[–] rumba@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The other upside is that Google Docs aren't entirely compatible either. So people are already used to imperfect versions and needing to pass around PDF's if output matters.

The biggest problem I see is Microsoft can only cleanly collaborate with Micrososft and Google with Google. The second you open that docx in Google, all bets are off.

The real downer is the libre's lack of supported online collab, that's pretty much a requirement for business these days.

[–] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 day ago

https://www.onlyoffice.com/

based on libreoffice, adds online collaborative features

[–] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago

OH! i misinterpreted your thread starter. i thought… never mind what i thought. nevermind 🤣

yes.

this is something that makes me wish more casual document writers would migrate away from MS office