UX Collabora vs Documents

CollaboraForumUser · June 4, 2025, 7:27am

Hello,
I’m moving from Google Drive to NextCloud and the phone app needs an editor (until I sort out a convenient FOSS product that edits online seamlessly like GD).

So I’m testing Collabora Office and Documents apps and I’m surprised at the UX difference.
IMHO, LibreOffice and its cloud version Collabora, has a larger community and deeper FOSS know how, but the Collabora Office (online LibreOffice right?) needs improvement.

For example:
-the weird large balloon, which I assume is to help the user find the cursor?
-the headers only offer H1-H4, but I need at least to H6.
-headers are buried and basic UX loses out to Documents (OpenOffice I believe?).

Hoping for improvements.

darshan · June 9, 2025, 12:04pm

Hello,
I’m moving from Google Drive to NextCloud and the phone app needs an editor (until I sort out a convenient FOSS product that edits online seamlessly like GD).

Hi, and great choice moving from Google Drive to Nextcloud!
It’s always encouraging to see people exploring more open and self-hosted alternatives.

You’re absolutely right — while Collabora Office is built on a strong FOSS foundation, there are still areas for improvement, especially in terms of UX, and we really value feedback like yours

I would love it if you could help us improve by filing these suggestions as enhancement issues on our GitHub:

Also, since you seem enthusiastic and thoughtful about usability, we’d be delighted if you joined our weekly COOL community meetings, where contributors and users come together to discuss product improvements, issues, and roadmaps.
You can find more info here:

EDIT: Communicate | Collabora Online - Community Page

Looking forward to hearing more from you — and welcome to the community!

darshan · June 24, 2025, 8:30am

Hi @CollaboraForumUser, sorry about the broken link — I’ve fixed it now. And thanks for submitting your feature request on GitHub!

github.com/CollaboraOnline/online

UX improvements

opened 10:09AM - 23 Jun 25 UTC

eiger3970

enhancement 25.04

### Is your feature request related to a problem? A clear and concise descripti…on of what the problem is. 1. **balloon** is weird and large, which I assume is to help the user find the cursor? 2. **darkmode** masks the screen with a dark view, making editing impossible. Tried the Invert Background, which improves by showing the white page with black text. .md files do view in dar mode with black background and white text, however not for .docx files. 3. **forum** [post](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/ux-collabora-vs-documents/3744) closed too soon, as repliers [link](https://github.com/CollaboraOnline/CollaboraOffice/issues) opens a dead page. I had to research to find this CollaboraOnline issues page which may or may not be the correct place to submit the issues. 4. **headers** buried and basic UX loses out to Documents (OpenOffice I believe?). For example, iOS 18.1.1 Nextcloud Hydrogen for iOS 6.6.4.5 @ 2025 Collabora 24.04.11.1 workflow for headers: Welcome to Nextcloud Hub.docx -> select edit icon (bottom right) -> select A icon with pen (near top right) -> Character -> select Style or Heading 1 -> select preferred Style (Title, Subtitle, Heading, H1, H2, H3, H4). 5. **headers H1-H4** only on iOS 18.1.1 (1st install with Collabora CODE in built thingy), (desktop has H1-H6 now using my own server rather than the built-in CODE - Collabora Online Development Edition, although Nextcloud shows the version is Collabora Online Development Edition 24.04.11.1 8d0ad9add2), but I need at least to H6. 6. **ToC table of contents**: Insert -> I see no option for a ToC on iOS 18.1.1 nor desktop? 7. **version 25.04.3.1** causes a blank white page showing editing features, so had to roll back to an older version 24.04.11.1 ### Describe the solution you'd like A clear and concise description of what you want to happen. 1. I understand the need to ease finding the cursor for some users, but at least graphic design something sexier and more intuitive or create a better finding of the cursor (perhaps highlighted brighter or something more subtle) 2. simply needs to invert white page with black text to black page to white text. Colours are problematic, however a 2nd priority. Perfect would be like my previous editor with the white page turned black and the black text turned white, is there such a Collabora feature? 3. I need to reply to inform the user that the link provided open a dead webpage 4. headers are a high priority (is there data of users most often used features?) so should be quicker and easier to find than less often used features that can be deeper and/or buried. Also a keyboard shortcut would empower super users. For example, iOS 18.1.1 Nextcloud Hydrogen for iOS 6.6.4.5 @ 2025 Collabora 24.04.11.1 workflow for headers: Welcome to Nextcloud Hub.docx -> select edit icon (bottom right) -> bottom row of features/icons -> font colour, highlight colour, drop down arrow for Align Left Align Center Align Right Justified, number (ordered) list, bullet ponts (unordered list), indent right, indent left...perhaps make font and highlight colours a nested choice, making space for H1 and options H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9 and H10. The need of H1 is far greater than colorus, indents and lists. 5. H1-H6 is standard, however could even go to H8 or H10 and lead the change 6. Make compatible for phone and desktop. 7. make latest versions compatible with iOS 18.1.1. ### Describe alternatives you've considered A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered. See above Describe the solution you'd like ### Additional context Add any other context or screenshots about the feature request here. None

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