December 7, 2025
Spreadsheets vs. Statecraft
Goodbye, Microsoft: Schleswig-Holstein Relies on Open Source and Saves Millions
€15M saved, but the internet is split: freedom vs spreadsheets
TLDR: Schleswig-Holstein says ditching most Microsoft licenses for LibreOffice will save €15M next year, with a one-time €9M cost later. Commenters are split between cheering digital independence and warning that Excel power users and real-world compatibility could turn the switch into a productivity headache.
Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein just told Microsoft “thanks, but no thanks,” claiming over €15M saved next year by swapping most government PCs to free tools like LibreOffice. Cue the comments section meltdown. The loudest cheerleaders are the digital-sovereignty crowd, warning about “vendor lock-in” and even imagining a Big Red Switch in Redmond. One user went full geopolitics, arguing governments should move to Linux for national independence. On the other side: spreadsheet warriors. Excel power users are clutching their pivot tables, worried their finely tuned formulas and add-ons won’t survive the jump. “Don’t break my sheets” quickly became the mood. Pragmatists asked the obvious: what actually replaces Microsoft 365 for day-to-day work? Meanwhile, the paywall police arrived, with jokes about links demanding a “first-born” to read the article. Beyond the drama, the facts: about 80% of desks (outside the tax office) already run LibreOffice; 20% still need Microsoft tools for specialized tasks. The opposition claims the switch looks good on paper but many staff can’t work smoothly yet. Greens say it’s a marathon: fix processes, then the software fits. There’s a one-time €9M outlay coming in 2026—but with savings this big, the math still wins. Verdict from the comment arena: sovereignty vs spreadsheets, ideology vs productivity, and a side of meme-fueled chaos.
Key Points
- •Schleswig-Holstein projects over €15 million in savings on Microsoft licenses next year, with similar savings expected thereafter.
- •A one-time €9 million investment is planned in 2026 to convert workplaces and develop open-source solutions.
- •Approximately 80% of workplaces (outside the tax administration) have switched to LibreOffice, and Microsoft license cancellations are near 80%.
- •About 20% of workplaces remain dependent on Microsoft programs due to specialized application requirements, with a goal of successive conversion.
- •Opposition lawmakers report ongoing usability issues and errors, while supporters emphasize long-term process redesign to realize open-source benefits.