LibreOffice developers critique Microsoft Office Ribbon interface

The Document Foundation (TDF), the developers of LibreOffice, has issued a critique of Microsoft Office’s Ribbon user interface. While acknowledging that the Ribbon design can be effective for casual users by making functions easier to discover through browsing, the TDF argues it is not a universal ergonomic solution.

The foundation highlights several disadvantages for specific user groups, including power users who require more vertical screen space, individuals transitioning from other software with traditional menu structures, and users with small or low-resolution displays. TDF suggests that Microsoft’s exclusive use of the Ribbon concept imposes certain compromises on all customers with limited options for customization.

In response to these usability concerns, LibreOffice is pursuing a more flexible approach. The software offers various interface concepts, such as classic menus and toolbars or tabbed interfaces, and plans to expand these options in the upcoming version 26.8, which will include a revised menu bar similar to the Ribbon.