Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Inputlog-LibreOffice: An Extension to LibreOffice Writer for Keystroke-Based Observation of Writing Processes Cover

Inputlog-LibreOffice: An Extension to LibreOffice Writer for Keystroke-Based Observation of Writing Processes

Open Access
|Feb 2026

Abstract

Keystroke logging has become a widely adopted method in writing process research and translation studies, offering researchers detailed insights into the development of texts—particularly through the analysis of pauses and revisions. Currently, Inputlog is the most commonly used keystroke logging tool, recording all keystrokes and mouse activity, while adding a timestamp to each of these activities. While Inputlog was mainly designed to log writing in MS Word, we have now developed an add-on for LibreOffice, so called ‘Inputlog-LibreOffice’. This add-on enables unobtrusive observation of digital writing processes. It is a tool for registration of the writing process within a LibreOffice Writer document. The xml output files can be analysed either in the desktop Inputlog application or through other tools. As LibreOffice is an open-source platform, it offers greater control over the logging process compared to Microsoft Word. This enhanced transparency proves particularly valuable for conducting detailed and reliable revision analyses. The source code is publicly available.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/jors.526 | Journal eISSN: 2049-9647
Language: English
Submitted on: Jul 17, 2024
|
Accepted on: Feb 11, 2026
|
Published on: Feb 27, 2026
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2026 Floor Buschenhenke, Luuk Van Waes, Faruk Diblen, Jason Maassen, Jisk Attema, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.