Zoho Writer Desktop App: Installation & User Guide

Getting Started with Zoho Writer desktop app

1. Overview  

Writer’s desktop app is a cross-platform word processor (Windows, macOS, Linux) that lets you create, edit, and manage documents both locally and in the cloud.
Key features include:
  1. Open and edit your existing MS Word (DOCX) files without needing Word.
  2. Use core authoring tools: formatting, layout, templates, tables, images, text boxes.
  3. Working offline: recent documents saved locally; cloud sync when online.
  4. Tabbed view (multiple docs in same window), multi-page view for better navigation.
  5. Track changes, comments, document properties (word/page count, version, etc.).
  6. Supports many UI display languages (over 40).

2. System Requirements

Platform
Minimum Requirements
macOS
macOS 10.13 or newer
Windows
Windows 8 or newer
Linux
Ubuntu 18 or equivalent

3. Installing and setting up the app

  1. Download the desktop installer for your operating system (macOS .pkg, Windows .exe, Linux .deb, etc.). Download Link.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
  3. Once installed, launch Writer. You’ll see a prompt to set your username (for comments/track changes) and display language. You can skip or change them later.

Setup  

  1. You can start using the app without signing in. This allows you to create and edit local documents.
  2. To use advanced features like cloud storage, syncing, sharing, you’ll need to sign in with your  account.
  3. Changing display language or username later: via the app’s menu (for example, in the “Writer” menu on macOS or equivalent on others) → change display language / modify username.

4. Working with documents  

Viewing & Opening

  1. Create a new document from scratch using the New Document option.
  2. Open existing DOCX files: double click them (if associated) or via Open → My Computer.
  3. View both local files and cloud files from a single pane (local / Cloud).

Editing & Formatting  

  1. Use typical text formatting (font, size, color, bold/italic/underline).
  2. Insert tables, images, text boxes.
  3. Use templates and layouts if needed.
  4. Use Find & Replace to change text globally.
  5. Track changes & comments: useful for reviewing / collaborating.

Views & Navigation  

  1. Tabbed view (navigate between documents): opens multiple documents in tabs so you can switch between them easily.
  2. Document navigation pane: jump between sections, or use it to move quickly.

  1. Multi-page view: see several pages at once (helps when working with long documents).

5. Offline mode for cloud & Syncing  

  1. You can work fully offline with local documents without signing in.
  2. For cloud documents (Zoho Cloud / WorkDrive), you can set offline mode so recent or selected files are available even without internet.
  3. When your device is online again, changes sync automatically.

6. Saving, Sharing, & Collaborating  

  1. Save documents locally by default.
  2. To share, upload/sync to Cloud / your account. Then you can share links, set permissions.


  3. Collaborators can use comments and track changes.

7. Uninstalling the app  

  1. macOS: Go to Applications folder → right-click  Writer → Move to Trash.
  2. Windows: Control Panel → Uninstall a program → find  Writer → Uninstall.
  3. Linux: via terminal:
    1. sudo dpkg -r Writer
    2. or sudo dpkg --purge Writer
Note: Before you uninstall, ensure you save the documents that are open in the app and then proceed to uninstall as unsaved changes in documents may be lost.

Related article

  1. FAQ on Zoho Writer Desktop App