Help asking for Java

[tc32628]

When I click on "Help", and enter a word or phrase (i.e. functions), this is what I get:

OpenOffice requires a java runtime environment (JRE) to perform this task.
Please install JRE and restart OpenOffice.

Well, I have installed a JRE about 10 times to no avail. I understand Java is no longer included in OpenOffice like it used to. My question is, why the hell not?
One should not have to be a rocket scientist to use OpenOffice help.
I think I will spend the money and purchase MS Office even though I do not like Microsoft. Especially since Windows 10 and Media Player is no longer viable.
A few thousand dollars down the f!@#$%^ drain.

[thomasjk]

Did you install the 32bit version of Java? AOO needs the 32bit version and will not work with the 64bit version thus the messages you received. No need to spend thousands for a free download. Go to https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java ... 33155.html and download the Windows x86 version and install it. I have both 32 and 64bit versions installed.

[tc32628]

I got this file jre-8u201-windows-i586.tar.gz from https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java ... 33155.html.
The file is supposed to open with 7-Zip. It doesn't. I quit.

[robleyd]

Try the Windows X86 offline option which is an exe file: you can install that by double click.

[Bill]

Well, I have installed a JRE about 10 times to no avail. I understand Java is no longer included in OpenOffice like it used to. My question is, why the hell not?

It increases the download size tremendously. and any version of Java included with OpenOffice will quickly become obsolete and a possible security risk. It makes more sense to download and install Java separately and let it update automatically.

[thomasjk]

I got this file jre-8u201-windows-i586.tar.gz from https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java ... 33155.html.
The file is supposed to open with 7-Zip. It doesn't. I quit.

You downloaded the wrong file. You want the file that ends with .exe.

[Villeroy]

You could also install the successor of OpenOffice, https://libreoffice.org/ which is availlable as a 64-bit version for Windows. It does not require any special version of Java. Searching the help files does not require any Java at all because the help files are online web pages which can be downloaded for offline use.

[johnhansman]

I have Windows 10. When I try to save an OpenOffice spreadsheet to Excel, I get an error message that I need to install JRE and restart. Following advice here, I have installed both 32 and 64 bit versions of java runtime environment. I still cannot save the file in Excel. What should I try now? Thanks.

[Villeroy]

Saving Excel files (xls, xlsx) does not require any Java.

[RoryOF]

When Java is needed in OpenOffice, you have (one time only, for first use of Java) to open /Tools /Options /OpenOffice /Java, and select a Java on that screen. OO on that screen will usually find installed Javas within a few seconds. Some extensions, such as LanguageTool, require Java. But Villeroy is right in what he says.

[Villeroy]

But Villeroy is right in what he says.

No, I have to correct myself. OpenOffice does not save any xlsx. It saves xls without Java. LibreOffice may also save xlsx without Java. And both may be installed with optional XSLT filters to save that historic flavour of Excel-XML which indeed requires Java. Everything has been discussed more than a hundred times. There is even a tutorial trying to cover each and every aspect of Java and OpenOffice: viewtopic.php?f=74&t=69896