Installing ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on a Linux PC is one of those tasks that sounds intimidating until you realize Linux has several very practical ways to do it. Whether you use Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint, openSUSE, or a distribution that proudly refuses to behave like anyone else at family gatherings, there is probably an installation method that fits your system.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a free office suite for working with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other office files directly on your computer. Version 6.3 became especially popular because it introduced useful interface and productivity improvements, including a dark theme, 150% interface scaling, better reviewing behavior, new spreadsheet features, and more flexible export options. In other words, it was not just another “we fixed three invisible bugs” release. It actually gave desktop Linux users reasons to care.
This guide explains how to install ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on Linux using the most common methods: DEB packages, RPM packages, the official repository, Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage. It also covers system requirements, post-install setup, troubleshooting, and practical experience from using ONLYOFFICE on a real Linux desktop.
What Is ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors?
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is the desktop version of the ONLYOFFICE office suite. It lets you create, open, edit, and export files such as DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF, ODT, CSV, and other common office formats. For many Linux users, the biggest attraction is Microsoft Office compatibility. While no non-Microsoft office suite is perfect with every complicated file ever created by a committee, ONLYOFFICE generally handles modern Office Open XML files very well.
Unlike the online version of ONLYOFFICE Docs, the desktop app works with local files and does not require a constant internet connection. That makes it a good choice for students, writers, office workers, developers, and anyone who has ever opened a document named “final_final_revised_REAL_final.docx” and hoped for the best.
Why Install ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on Linux?
ONLYOFFICE 6.3 is an older release, but it remains useful for users who need that specific version for compatibility, testing, tutorials, legacy workflows, or controlled software environments. It introduced several features that made daily document editing more pleasant, especially on Linux desktops.
Key Features in ONLYOFFICE 6.3
Version 6.3 added a dark theme, which is excellent if you work at night or simply believe every application should stop shining like a refrigerator at midnight. It also introduced 150% scaling, which is helpful on high-resolution screens where tiny interface buttons can feel like an eye exam.
The update also improved document reviewing. Track Changes behavior became more flexible, and the review status could be saved with the file. Spreadsheet users gained useful improvements such as XLOOKUP support, new chart options, pivot table grouping, and more cell format choices. The suite also improved file handling, including support for opening XML files and exporting to formats such as HTML, EPUB, and FB2.
Before You Install: System Requirements
Before installing ONLYOFFICE 6.3, check that your Linux PC meets the basic requirements. For most modern computers, the answer will be yes unless your machine is old enough to remember dial-up internet fondly.
Recommended Requirements
- CPU: Dual-core 2 GHz processor or better
- RAM: 2 GB or more
- Storage: At least 2 GB of free disk space
- Operating system: 64-bit Linux distribution
- Permissions: Administrator or sudo access for most installation methods
If you are using a lightweight Linux distribution on older hardware, ONLYOFFICE may still run, but performance can vary. Large spreadsheets, image-heavy presentations, and complex documents will benefit from more RAM and a faster CPU.
Choose the Best Installation Method
Linux gives you choices. Sometimes too many choices. Installing ONLYOFFICE 6.3 can be done in several ways, and the right method depends on your distribution and your goal.
Use a DEB Package
If you use Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Zorin OS, elementary OS, or another Debian-based distribution, a DEB package is usually the most direct option. This method feels familiar to anyone who has installed software manually on Ubuntu.
Use an RPM Package
If you use Fedora, openSUSE, CentOS, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, or another RPM-based distribution, the RPM package is the traditional option.
Use the Official Repository
The repository method is convenient because it lets your package manager handle installation and updates. For users who want ONLYOFFICE to behave like any other system package, this is often the cleanest approach.
Use Snap or Flatpak
Snap and Flatpak are universal Linux package formats. They are useful when you want a simple installation method that works across many distributions. The trade-off is that these versions may install the current release rather than the historical 6.3 release, so they are best if you want ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors in general, not necessarily exactly version 6.3.
Use AppImage
AppImage is ideal if you want to run ONLYOFFICE without a traditional installation. You download one file, make it executable, and launch it. This is great for testing, portable setups, or users who prefer not to touch system repositories.
Method 1: Install ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on Ubuntu, Debian, and Linux Mint
For Debian-based systems, the easiest classic method is installing the DEB package or using the ONLYOFFICE repository. If you specifically need version 6.3, look for the archived DEB package for that version. If you use the current repository, it may install the newest available version instead.
Step 1: Update Your System
This refreshes your package lists and installs available system updates. It is not glamorous, but neither is debugging a broken dependency at 1 a.m.
Step 2: Install Required Tools
These tools help download files and handle package signing keys.
Step 3: Add the ONLYOFFICE Repository Key
This adds the signing key used to verify packages from the ONLYOFFICE repository.
Step 4: Add the ONLYOFFICE Repository
Do not be alarmed by the word “squeeze” in the repository line. The package is built in a way that supports Debian-based distributions, including Ubuntu derivatives.
Step 5: Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
Once installation is complete, launch the app from your desktop menu or run:
Method 2: Install ONLYOFFICE 6.3 Using a DEB File
If you have downloaded the ONLYOFFICE 6.3 DEB package manually, open a terminal in the folder where the file is saved and run:
If your file name is different, replace it with the actual file name. The ./ tells APT to install a local package from the current folder.
If dependencies are missing, APT will usually resolve them automatically. If you installed with dpkg instead and see dependency errors, fix them with:
Method 3: Install ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on Fedora, CentOS, Rocky Linux, or AlmaLinux
For RPM-based distributions, you can use the RPM package or repository method. If you need the exact 6.3 version, use the matching archived RPM file when available.
Install from an RPM Package
On Fedora, run:
On older CentOS-based systems, you may use:
After installation, launch ONLYOFFICE from the application menu or run:
Install from the ONLYOFFICE Repository
You can also install the repository package first:
Then install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors:
On Fedora or newer RPM-based systems, use dnf instead of yum when appropriate.
Method 4: Install ONLYOFFICE with Snap
Snap is one of the easiest ways to install ONLYOFFICE on distributions that support Snap packages. On Ubuntu, Snap is often already installed. On other distributions, you may need to install Snap support first.
Launch it with:
Snap is convenient, but remember: it usually installs the version currently available in the Snap Store. If your goal is specifically ONLYOFFICE 6.3, confirm the available version before relying on this method.
Method 5: Install ONLYOFFICE with Flatpak
Flatpak is another excellent universal package option. It works well on many distributions and is especially popular on Fedora, Linux Mint, elementary OS, and GNOME-based desktops.
Step 1: Install Flatpak
On Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, run:
On Fedora, Flatpak is often installed by default. If not, run:
Step 2: Add the Flathub Repository
Step 3: Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
Launch it with:
As with Snap, Flatpak usually provides the current app version. It is a great method for everyday use, but not always the best path for installing a specific old release.
Method 6: Run ONLYOFFICE 6.3 with AppImage
AppImage is the simplest method if you want to run ONLYOFFICE without fully installing it. Download the ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors AppImage, place it somewhere convenient, and make it executable.
Then run it:
You can also double-click the AppImage file from your file manager after making it executable. If your desktop asks whether you want to run it, say yes. If your desktop refuses, it is not being rude; it probably just needs executable permission.
How to Confirm the Installed Version
After installation, open ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and check the version from the application menu. Depending on your desktop environment and package type, the About section may appear under Help or the main menu.
You can also try checking package details from the terminal. On Debian-based systems:
On RPM-based systems:
For Snap:
For Flatpak:
Post-Installation Setup Tips
Set ONLYOFFICE as the Default Office App
After installation, you may want DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files to open in ONLYOFFICE automatically. Right-click a compatible file, choose Properties or Open With, select ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, and set it as the default application.
Enable Dark Theme
ONLYOFFICE 6.3 includes dark theme support. Open the app settings and choose the dark interface if you prefer a lower-brightness workspace. Your eyes may send a thank-you card.
Test Common File Types
Before using ONLYOFFICE for important work, open a few sample documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Check fonts, formatting, charts, formulas, headers, footers, and comments. This is especially important if you collaborate with people using Microsoft Office.
Connect Cloud Storage If Needed
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors can connect with supported cloud platforms such as ONLYOFFICE, Nextcloud, ownCloud, and Seafile for collaboration. If you only edit local files, you can skip this step completely.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Problem: Command Not Found
If desktopeditors does not work, try launching ONLYOFFICE from your application menu. Snap and Flatpak packages use different launch commands, so make sure you are using the correct one for your installation method.
Problem: Missing Dependencies
On Ubuntu or Debian, run:
Then try installing the package again.
Problem: AppImage Will Not Launch
Make sure the file is executable:
Some distributions may also require additional FUSE support for AppImage files. If double-clicking does nothing, launch it from the terminal to see the error message.
Problem: The Installed Version Is Not 6.3
This usually happens when you install from Snap, Flatpak, or the current repository. These methods commonly provide the latest available version. To install exactly ONLYOFFICE 6.3, use an archived DEB, RPM, or AppImage package for that release, then disable automatic updates for that package if your workflow requires the version to remain unchanged.
Security and Update Advice
ONLYOFFICE 6.3 can be useful for legacy compatibility, but old software may miss later security fixes and feature improvements. If you are installing it on a personal test machine, that may be fine. If you are installing it on a work computer, school machine, or production environment, consider whether the latest ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors release would be safer and more practical.
A smart compromise is to use ONLYOFFICE 6.3 only when you truly need that version, and install the latest stable release for everyday document work. Think of version 6.3 like a reliable old backpack: useful, familiar, and maybe still stylish, but not always the best choice for a long hike through modern file formats.
Practical Experience: What It Is Like Installing ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on Linux
Installing ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on Linux feels different depending on the distribution. On Ubuntu or Linux Mint, the DEB method is usually the smoothest. You download the package, install it with APT, and the application appears in the menu like it has always lived there. The repository method is also clean, especially for users who prefer updates through the package manager. However, when targeting a specific historical version such as 6.3, the repository can be a little too helpful because it may pull a newer version instead.
On Fedora and other RPM-based systems, installation is also straightforward, but you need to be more mindful of package compatibility. If the RPM was built for a specific environment, it may ask for dependencies that are not present by default. Usually, DNF handles this gracefully. When it does not, the terminal will tell you exactly what is missing, although not always in language that feels emotionally supportive.
Snap and Flatpak are the friendliest options for beginners. They reduce dependency drama and make installation feel almost boring, which is exactly what software installation should be. The downside is version control. If your article, tutorial, class, or workflow specifically needs ONLYOFFICE 6.3, Snap and Flatpak may not be the best choice unless that version is available in the package history. For normal users who simply want ONLYOFFICE on Linux, they are excellent options.
AppImage is the most flexible method. It is especially useful if you want to test ONLYOFFICE 6.3 without changing your system. You can keep the AppImage in a folder, make it executable, run it, and delete it later if you do not need it. This makes AppImage perfect for reviewers, developers, testers, and cautious users who treat system-wide installs like adopting a pet: not impossible, just something to think about first.
In daily use, ONLYOFFICE 6.3 feels polished enough for serious document editing. The dark theme is comfortable, the interface resembles familiar office software, and DOCX compatibility is one of its strongest advantages. Spreadsheets with common formulas work well, and XLOOKUP support is a meaningful addition for users coming from modern Excel workflows. Presentations are also easy to edit, although very complex animations and unusual fonts can still require extra checking.
The best practical advice is simple: install the version that matches your real need. If you are following an old tutorial, testing a legacy workflow, or documenting version-specific features, install ONLYOFFICE 6.3 from a matching archived package. If you only need a reliable office suite for Linux, install the latest release through the repository, Snap, Flatpak, or your distribution’s recommended method. Either way, test your most important files before making it your default office suite. Your future self will appreciate the five-minute check more than the two-hour formatting rescue mission.
Conclusion
Installing ONLYOFFICE 6.3 on your Linux PC is not difficult once you choose the right method. Ubuntu, Debian, and Linux Mint users can use DEB packages or the official repository. Fedora, CentOS, Rocky Linux, and AlmaLinux users can use RPM packages. Snap and Flatpak provide easy universal installation, while AppImage is ideal for portable testing or minimal system changes.
If you need exactly version 6.3, use an archived package and confirm the installed version afterward. If you simply want ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors on Linux, the current repository, Snap, or Flatpak version may be easier and more secure. Either way, ONLYOFFICE remains a strong office suite option for Linux users who want good DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX compatibility without leaving the comfort of their penguin-powered desktop.
