Converting Google Docs file to LibreOffice

[rorye494]

Hi

I have nearly completed a nonfiction book written in Google Docs that I plan to publish as an eBook on Amazon. (I only have access to Chrome OS/Google devices.) Amazon has advised that in order for the ebook to be reflowable (as required), I need to put my citations in footnotes. Each reference number in the text needs to link to the relevant footnote and back to the reference number in the text (bidirectional links). When a manuscript is published, Amazon’s KDP moves all the footnotes to endnotes, retaining the bidirectional links. The problem is that Google Docs does not create the required links. Members of the KDP Community have advised that LibreOffice is the default word processor for Linux systems. So I am interested in using LibreOffice to finalise and publish my book, and all being well as my go to word processor.

I have read through the LO website and other relevant internet articles, but still have a few questions. My apologies if any of these are answered in the LO website. If so, please could you point me to the information.

1. Does LO create bidirectional links to/from footnotes?

2. I haven’t set up a table of contents yet. Should I do this in Google Docs and then convert to LO? Or should I create the TOC in LO?

3. How do I get my book into LO? Do I just download it as a ‘docx’ file, and then open it in LO?

4. I see there is a version called ‘Collabora Office’, which is for Chrome OS. Does this have the same level of functionality as LO itself?

5. It seems Collabora Office is only available for newer Chromebooks that can run Android apps. My desktop (Chromebox) is not one of these. Is there any way to download LibreOffice on a Chrome device that cannot run Android?

Many thanks.

[Regina]

@rorye494

1. Does LO create bidirectional links to/from footnotes?

Yes it does.

@rorye494

2. I haven’t set up a table of contents yet. Should I do this in Google Docs and then convert to LO? Or should I create the TOC in LO?

I would use LO. That reduces the amount of conversions.

@rorye494

3. How do I get my book into LO? Do I just download it as a ‘docx’ file, and then open it in LO?

I would first try the download to odt, which Google offers as well. Only if you find severe problems, I would try to go over docx. Inside LO you should always use odt. Download as docx would involve an additional conversion.

@rorye494

4. I see there is a version called ‘Collabora Office’, which is for Chrome OS. Does this have the same level of functionality as LO itself?

I don’t know. Ask Collabora?

@rorye494

5. It seems Collabora Office is only available for newer Chromebooks that can run Android apps. My desktop (Chromebox) is not one of these. Is there any way to download LibreOffice on a Chrome device that cannot run Android?

LO 7.3.2 is available for macOS (Apple Silicon) and macOS (Intel). I do not use a Chromebook so cannot tell you. Why not simple try it? Download LibreOffice | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft

[rorye494]

Many thanks for the info, @Regina. I’ll also explore Collabora as you suggested. (I asked about it as on LO’s website, if you click Download > LO for Android, or App Stores & Chromebooks) you are taken to a link to Collabora.)