Connect LibreOffice to WebDAV and Nextcloud

LibreOffice allows users to open, edit, and save documents directly to cloud and remote storage servers without relying on local desktop synchronization clients. This article explains the available WebDAV and Nextcloud connection types inside LibreOffice, details the required connection parameters, and walks through the setup process.

Remote File Management in LibreOffice

LibreOffice includes a built-in remote file dialog accessible via File > Open Remote… and File > Save Remote…. Through this interface, users can manage remote services across several protocols, including standard WebDAV, secure WebDAV (HTTPS), and dedicated presets for ownCloud/Nextcloud.

Supported Connection Types

1. Standard WebDAV and WebDAV (HTTPS)

WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is an extension of HTTP that allows clients to perform remote document authoring operations. LibreOffice supports two WebDAV options:

• WebDAV (HTTP): Connects to unencrypted WebDAV servers over standard ports (default: 80).
• WebDAV (HTTPS): Connects to encrypted WebDAV servers using SSL/TLS (default: 443).

Required Settings: * Host: The server domain or IP address (e.g., webdav.example.com). * Port: The listening port (usually 443 for HTTPS or 80 for HTTP). * Path: The relative path to the WebDAV root directory (e.g., /dav/ or /files/). * Username and Password: User credentials for authentication.

2. Nextcloud / ownCloud Service Type

Nextcloud runs on a WebDAV framework for file handling. LibreOffice provides a designated connection profile for ownCloud/Nextcloud services to simplify the path mapping.

Required Settings: * Host: The Nextcloud domain name (e.g., cloud.example.com). * Port: Typically 443 for secure HTTPS connections. * Path: The relative URL path pointing to the WebDAV endpoint. For modern Nextcloud installations, this is: /remote.php/webdav/ or /remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/ * User: Your Nextcloud account username. * Password: Your Nextcloud password or an App Password (recommended if Two-Factor Authentication is enabled).

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. Open LibreOffice.
2. Navigate to File > Open Remote… or File > Save Remote….
3. Click the Manage Services or Add Service button in the dialog.
4. Select Nextcloud (or ownCloud / WebDAV) from the Type drop-down menu.
5. Enter the Host, Port, and Path corresponding to your server.
6. Enter your Username and Password.
7. Click OK to establish the connection.

Once configured, the service will appear in the remote file browser list, enabling direct opening, locking, and saving of files hosted on the server.