How to Count Words & Characters in OpenOffice Writer

Apache OpenOffice Writer provides three easy ways to count words and characters — from the always-visible status bar to in-depth document statistics. Here is the step-by-step walkthrough, plus how to set up a custom shortcut and tips for LibreOffice Writer users.

Quick Answer: How to Check Word Count in OpenOffice

Quick Answer: Look at the status bar at the bottom of the OpenOffice Writer window — it continuously shows Page X / Words N / Characters M. For full character details (with and without spaces), click Tools → Word Count… in the top menu bar.

Method 1: Status Bar (Instant, No Click Needed)

1. Open your document in OpenOffice Writer.
2. Look at the status bar at the bottom-left — it displays real-time statistics like Page 1 / Words 450 / Characters 2,800.
3. If you highlight a sentence or paragraph, the bar immediately updates to show counts for your selection only.
4. Status bar hidden? Turn it on via View → Status Bar in the top menu.

Method 2: Tools → Word Count (Characters With & Without Spaces)

1. Click on Tools in the top menu bar.
2. Select Word Count… from the dropdown.
3. The dialog box shows: Words, Characters (with spaces), and Characters (without spaces) for the entire document or highlighted selection.

Method 3: Document Statistics via File Properties

For a comprehensive overview, navigate to File → Properties → Statistics tab. You will find total pages, paragraphs, words, characters, tables, images, and total editing time.

How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for Word Count in OpenOffice

Unlike Microsoft Word or Google Docs, OpenOffice Writer does not have a default keyboard shortcut for word count. You can easily assign one yourself in 30 seconds:

1. Click Tools → Customize… in the menu.
2. Switch to the Keyboard tab.
3. Under Category, select Tools. Under Function, select Word Count.
4. Choose a shortcut key (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + W) and click Modify → OK.

Characters With vs. Without Spaces — Which Do You Need?

OpenOffice distinguishes between Characters (with spaces) (essential for social media limits like 280 characters on X/Twitter or SMS) and Characters (without spaces) (used by book publishers, freelance translators, and academic requirements).

Counting Words in LibreOffice Writer

If you use LibreOffice Writer (the modern fork of OpenOffice), the steps are identical: the word count is visible in the status bar at the bottom, the dialog is under Tools → Word Count, and shortcut customization works the same way under Tools → Customize → Keyboard.

Why Do OpenOffice and Word Word Counts Differ?

Slight differences between word processors occur due to how each program handles hyphenated compound words, punctuation, and numeric strings. If you need a completely neutral, instant count with real-time limit indicators, paste your text into our free online counter — 100% private in your browser, no upload.