LibreOffice Blasts Microsoft Office for Its One-Size-Fits-All UI

LibreOffice has criticized the Microsoft Office Ribbon again, arguing that Microsoft’s interface forces users to accept the same design regardless of their workflow or screen size.

The Document Foundation (TDF), which develops LibreOffice, outlined its position in a recent blog post. This is not the first time the organization has challenged the Ribbon, as TDF made similar arguments a few months ago.

LibreOffice says the Ribbon makes too many compromises

TDF acknowledges that the Ribbon can work well for intermediate users, but argues that it comes with trade-offs that do not suit everyone.

Power users may prefer an interface that uses less vertical space, while people moving from other office software may find the Ribbon harder to adjust to. TDF also argues that the interface can become less practical on smaller displays.

Its broader criticism focuses on choice. Microsoft Office largely gives users one main interface model, meaning users must adapt their workflows to Microsoft’s design decisions.

LibreOffice offers six interface layouts

LibreOffice takes a different approach by offering six interface layouts.

TDF says this gives users more control over how much screen space the interface uses and how commands appear. Users can select the layout that better matches their habits instead of adapting to a single design.

The foundation presents this flexibility as one of the biggest differences between LibreOffice and Microsoft Office.

LibreOffice 26.8 is getting a more Ribbon-like design

Interestingly, LibreOffice 26.8 will introduce an improved Tabbed interface that more closely resembles Microsoft’s Ribbon.

TDF does not position the change as a replacement for its other layouts. Instead, it says the redesigned Tabbed interface will give users another option while keeping the existing choices available.

The argument therefore centers less on whether the Ribbon itself works and more on whether users should have alternatives.

TDF and Microsoft have clashed over other Office-related issues as well. The foundation recently criticized Microsoft Office file formats, while LibreOffice developers have also raised concerns about OOXML and its shortcomings.