Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 26991
Include Preset Macros and Macro Wizard to Allow for easy MS Access Switchboard type DBMS Navigation
Last modified: 2013-02-07 22:37:56 UTC
I have found that one of the features that OOO lacks is an easy way to create a Navigation menu for a Database Management System, i.e. a MS Access type switchboard. This menu would include buttons to open, print, or close forms, tables, reports, etc. MS Access and Lotus Approach seem to tackle this task by using a macro wizard with several preset navigation and task macros to help non-programmers create the buttons necessary to place on both the switchboard and the individual forms, etc. I would like to see OOO implement a quick and easy way to create a DBMS switchboard and to implement navigation buttons on individual parts of the user designed database system. Ideally, these buttons could be assigned their functions through an intuitive and easy to use dialog box interface. Here are some suggestions for macros to include: 1. Open a form 2. Open a report 3. Open a query 4. Close a form 5. Close a report 6. Close a query 7. Print a blank form 8. Implement a stored search 9. Maximize a form, table, or query 10. Minimize a form, table, or query 11. Exit OOO Good luck and thanks for your hard work. Vaughn L. Reid III
reassign to bh for evaluating this enhancement
Having had my nightmares setting up any sort of DBMS system in OOo, I would love to see this feature.
It was suggested in issue 49441 that this type of enhancement may require having the macros within the odb file. Issue 49133 request "to put macros in *.odb file". I agree 100% with both issues 26991 and 49133. A container area for Macros/Scripts/Code and the described wizard here would be very helpful in making the use of Base more efficient.
with openOffice.org 3.1 the base container can also include makros I think this works for me
-> closed
Simply providing the ability to include macros in the base component does not address the enhancement that I opened. I want to see some generic code and wizards to help end-users utilize this code that performs the following: Here are some suggestions for macros to include: 1. Open a form 2. Open a report 3. Open a query 4. Close a form 5. Close a report 6. Close a query 7. Print a blank form 8. Implement a stored search 9. Maximize a form, table, or query 10. Minimize a form, table, or query 11. Exit OOO The model I envision when I think of this enhancement request is the macro creation tools that were included with Lotus Approach.
I agree with vreid47362. Tools | Macros | Organize Macros | OpenOffice.org Basic | OpenOffice.org Macros already contains sample macros. Why not include some samples of the *right* way to do it in this location? There is no extra work needed to create yet another container but simply to include the sample macros here in this location. Then let us do the work of pointing people who want them to them.
Do you volunteer to create a bunch of such macros? If so, I'd offer my help for getting them into the product.
I'm certainly no programmer. Once sample macros on how to do this were in OpenOffice.org, I was offering to help communicate to end users their existence via user forums I assist on such as http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/ and http://www.oooforum.org/forum/ . :-) I think vreid47362 worded it well when he said he wished there was "some generic code and wizards to help end-users utilize this code" within OO.o somewhere. Side note: My emphasis on the word *right* was because I know some of the code I have borrowed from others to make my documents work were using non-standard calls that were not formally the way to do it and the macros stopped working when I upgraded OO.o.
By far, the database application that I've used over the years that was easiest to create macros for was Lotus Approach, which was part of Lotus Smart Suite. This product had an extensive macro creation "guide/wizard" that make it very simple for non-programmers to do basic automation tasks using macros. Since IBM/Lotus is implementing Lotus Symphony to replace Lotus Smart Suite, they may be interested in this issue also. In addition, I agree with safway. The macros or code generator or whatever the end product is needs to be based on good coding practices that use stable API's, not half-off hacks that may not work from version to version. Also, there are two extensions by Roberto Benitez: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/SwitchBoard and http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/BaseTools that provide some of the base macro creation and switchboard creation functionality that needs to be included. I believe that this code could be added to and made accessible in a user-friendly set of rapid application development wizards to get some of the needed functionality into the Base product. This functionality could even be maintained as an extension and installed like the Sun Report Builder.
From previous communications I understand if licensing agreements allow, that OO.o development team might take those very good addons and make them part of the core OO.o product. vreid47362's comment that "this functionality could even be maintained as an extension" might dovetail into those plans. I note, however, that their are already extensions to do this. Therefore, it might be less work for the developers if they simply work with the already-existing extensions???? For me, the extension at http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/SwitchBoard almost does it except for the "The extension can only be opened from a Registered Base document." requirement. Disclosure: I am in no way affiliated with the creator of any extension.
To grep the issues easier via "requirements" I put the issues currently lying on my owner to the owner "requirements".