Connecting LibreOffice to FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is typically used to download files from a remote server over the Internet. A desktop computer will use an FTP client application to connect directly to a server and show the files and folders on the server through the application’s graphical user interface. The Remote Files component of LibreOffice essentially makes it an FTP client.

These are the sections in this page.

Overview
Setting up connection to FTP server
Accessing FTP files
Links to other LibreOffice links

Overview

Connecting to an FTP can be done through any instance of LibreOffice 5.1 or later. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and other versions of LibreOffice. This page is a tutorial on how to connect to an FTP.

Click here to return to main menu.

Setting up a connection to FTP server

Setting up a connection can be done by saving a document to a remote server or opening a remote file for the first time.

1. First open a document or create a new one.
2. Click File.
3. Click Open Remote File.
4. Click Add Service in the Remote Files dialog.
5. When the File Service dialog appears, make sure FTP is the selected choice in the Type drop-down menu.
6. If it is not, click the arrow and choose it from the menu.
7. Enter the host. Your provider may call this FTP server or some other name.
8. For Port, the default is 21. However, if your FTP’s port is different, type it in the box.
9. Then enter your username in the User field. Your provider may call this username.
10. For the Password field, enter your password.
11. Put a check in the Remember Password check box, if you are going to continually use this account.
12. If you want a different title for your account, then change what is in the label field.
13. You may not need to enter the root folder. However, if you do need it, the root is most likely a forward slash. If it is not, enter the name of the root.
14. Press the OK button.
15. If you put a check in the Remember Password check box and this is the first server, of any type, that you have connected to, you will be asked to establish a master password. Create one. Then retype it in the next field. However, if you have already established a master password, then a dialog will appear, asking you to enter your master password.
16. Press the OK button.

Click here to return to main menu.

Accessing FTP files

This can be performed from the StartCenter or several of the LibreOffice applications.

1. Click File.
2. Click Open Remote File.
3. If you put a check in the Remember Password check box during the setup phase for any account, you will be asked to reenter the master password.
4. Next, click the Service drop-down menu and select the FTP account, if it is not already the selected account.
5. You may need to enter your FTP password again, if you didn’t put a check in the Remember password check box during set up. Put a check in the Remember Password check box, if you are going to continually use this account. Press the OK button.

Click here to return to main menu.

Accessing an FTP server through LibreOffice video