ONLYOFFICE 7.4 introduces new and improved features like Draw, Plugin Manager (with ChatGPT support), and enhanced spreadsheets

ONLYOFFICE, the popular office suite, has recently released version 7.4, packed with new features and enhancements aimed at improving user productivity and collaboration. Let's take a closer look at some of the notable additions in this release.

One of the standout features in this new version is the introduction of the Draw tab, which allows users to draw freehand on presentations, text documents, and spreadsheets. With the new Draw tab, users can select pens and colors to doodle and annotate their documents seamlessly. The drawn elements can be easily manipulated on a per-line basis, offering users flexibility and control. What sets ONLYOFFICE's draw tools apart is their integration with the existing document functionalities, so even when text is drawn over, it remains editable and selectable, making it ideal for note-taking and highlighting important information. To make color selection easier, the color palettes in the editors now include color name suggestions and an eyedropper tool for automatic color recognition. Radar charts have been also added to illustrate multivariate data in spreadsheets, text documents, and presentations, so users can effectively communicate complex data relationships and trends. Additionally, objects embedded in documents, such as shapes, charts, Text Art, text boxes, and Smart Art, can now be quickly saved as transparent-background PNG images.

A particularly useful feature in ONLYOFFICE 7.4 is the ability to merge two document versions into a single document. This functionality is especially handy for repetitive documents like invoices or contracts, streamlining the document management process and reducing duplication efforts. Export options have been expanded in this version, allowing users to save text documents or spreadsheets as PNG or JPG images, in addition to the existing non-image formats.

In spreadsheets, protected ranges now have the capability to grant editing permissions to specific users while restricting others from editing the selected ranges. The functionality of ONLYOFFICE's spreadsheets has been further enhanced with the addition of new formulas, including EXPAND, MATCH, SEQUENCE, FILTER, SORT, and TEXT ARRAY. Pivot tables have also been improved with a "Show Values As" setting. This enhancement allows users to display values in different ways, offering greater flexibility and insights. Furthermore, contextual menu options have been added to simplify working with pivot tables, making data analysis more intuitive and user-friendly.

In addition to the draw tools, ONLYOFFICE 7.4 introduces the Plugin Manager in its desktop editors, simplifying the installation and integration of various services and features. Among the notable plugins is the ChatGPT plugin, which offers a range of functions such as word analysis, image generation, text summarization, keyword generation, and translation. This integration offers users a quick and convenient way to generate text from prompts or ask questions directly within their documents, empowering users with powerful AI capabilities and expanding the possibilities of collaborative work and information gathering.

ONLYOFFICE 7.4 it is available in various formats, including Deb, RPM, Windows, Docker container, Amazon Machine image, and Alibaba Cloud image. The suite of desktop applications competing with Microsoft 365 Copilot or LibreOffice is supported on Linux, macOS (x86 and ARM), and different versions of Windows. Linux users can choose from Deb, RPM, Flatpak, Snap, and AppImage packages. So, just remember that whether you're a professional, student, or anyone in need of a comprehensive office solution, ONLYOFFICE offers a compelling open-source alternative to meet your needs.