Create options greyed out

I have installed LibreOffice on a laptop running Lubuntu from the package manager. The Create Document, Spreadsheet, etc options are greyed out.

Most possibly, you have some kind of “minimal” setup, with most packages not installed. Try looking for the distro’s list of packages related to LibreOffice, and check if packages related to calc/writer/etc are installed.

I am a newcomer to Linuk but have succesfully used LibreOffice in a Windows environment. I am looking for a simple and safe solution for an elderly relative who wants to surf the net, use email and write the occasional letter using an old laptop he has been given. I don’t know how to start looking for missing packages, my experience is with Windows applications that on installation look for any libraries needed and either install them or advise that they are required and where to get them.

Package managers also track dependencies, and install them as needed. It’s just that Linux distros’ package managers allow users to define subsets of installation, which is why Writer or Calc can be not a dependency to run LibreOffice. You are allowed to select, say, Math for installation, and not have to have Writer also present. More flexibility means also more understanding required.

You haven’t say what and how did you install (specific commands and package names). That is essential.

Try downloading and installing the original version of LibreOffice from here:

https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/

I do not recommend the use of the official binaries in Linux, unless you use them for testing purposes on a parallel install: you’ll end up with a lot of duplicated fonts and no automated updates. I think that @mikekaganski is right: some packages are missing in the install, and that’s easy to fix. I remember many *ubuntu user with problems related with missing packages.

all right.