A free Word alternative word processor with similar features.
AbiWord is a full and extensive word processor with features and a feel similar to older, more classic versions of Microsoft's Word product. Unlike Word or WordPerfect, AbiWord is completely free and maintained by an open source community.
The program doesn't really provide many advantages over classic versions of Microsoft or Corel's word processor products, except that it is completely free.
Some useful features worth mentioning here are the spell check, support for many popular document formats (docx, doc, html, txt, rtf, etc.) and its ability to add pictures to your document. In fact, there is not too much which separates this word processor from its commercial counterparts. Of course it also supports rich text enhancements as virtually all modern word processors do.
AbiWord is still under development and this is the latest stable version but their web site is such to also provide you with development versions if you would prefer to be on the bleeding edge.
Features of AbiWord
- Automation: Create macros and automate repetitive tasks.
- Collaboration: Share documents in real-time with remote users.
- Cross-Platform: Compatible with a wide range of operating systems.
- Find & Replace: Easily find and replace text.
- Formatting: Rich text formatting with support for styles, fonts and sizes.
- Graphics: Insert images, clip art and other graphical elements with ease.
- Headers & Footers: Add headers and footers to documents for a professional look.
- Mail Merge: Create personalized documents with mail merge functionality.
- Outlining: Create outlines to easily organize long documents.
- Plugins: Extend AbiWord's functionality with an extensive set of plugins.
- Security: Protect documents with support for passwords and digital signatures.
- Spellcheck: Built-in spellcheck with support for multi-language dictionaries.
- Tables: Create tables with customizable row and column sizes.
- Templates: Create documents quickly with professionally designed templates.
- Track Changes: Keep track of changes with support for comments and annotations.
Compatibility and License
AbiWord has been released under the open source GPL license on Windows from office software. The license provides the options to freely download, install, run and share this program without any restrictions. The source code for AbiWord should be freely available and modifications are certainly permitted as well as the option to inspect the software.
What version of Windows can AbiWord run on?
AbiWord can be used on a computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10. Previous versions of the OS shouldn't be a problem with Windows 8 and Windows 7 having been tested. It runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems with no dedicated 64-bit download provided.
Other operating systems: The latest AbiWord version from 2024 is also available for Mac.
Filed under:
- AbiWord Download
- Free Office Software
- Open source and GPL software
- Portable Software
- Text Editing Software
