Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 44903
Calc terms should be changed to be more distinct, Change spreadsheet to workbook
Last modified: 2013-08-07 15:12:27 UTC
It would be more clear if the term in Calc which describes the whole file was changed from Spreadsheet to Workbook. This is true for 2 reasons: 1) Currently the term for the whole file is Spreadsheet and the term for one sheet in the whole file is sheet. I think this is redundant and confusing. If I refer to a spreadsheet I want to be referring to one sheet, not an entire file or collection of individual sheets. This is especially tricky when trying to write documentation, because I say "the spreadsheet properties" or something like that, the user who is reading will probably think I am referring to one sheet, while in OOo speak I am referring to the whole file. 2) I hate this reason, but here I think it makes sense. This change would put us more in line with the terminology that MS uses. I think for something like this, it makes more sense to try to work with standard nomenclature. The second reason alone wouldn't be enough to merit the switch, but I think the two reasons together warrant some serious consideration to this change. We need to be able to be clear in our help files and in documentation. Making this change will allow this.
FWIW, Lotus 1-2-3 uses "workbook" and "worksheet", while Quattro Pro uses "notebook" and "page". (Yes, they are both still around.) So there is more than one other vendor that uses workbook/worksheet.
This is probably a good idea. This way users with limited OOo experience (and potentially more experience with other commerical apps) will not discount the functionality of the OOo Calc functions. I think Workbook might be a TM however something like OpenBook or OBook or just as descriptive would work just as well? Why change? To ease training and transition work and cost. However an explanation might be ok.
There is no need to invent alternatives to "workbook"; it is not a trademark. "Workbook" is used by both MS Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 (owned by IBM). It is not claimed as a trademark by either Microsoft <http://www.microsoft.com/library/toolbar/3.0/trademarks/en-us.mspx> or IBM <http://www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml>. Further, "workbook" is an ordinary dictionary word, and therefore not trademark-able.
IMHO we do not need a change here. If you talk about spreadsheet normally an Application is meant. If you want to talk about a special Sheet you will normally name it. I think we should not try to clone Excel. And MS nomenclatura isn't in any way a standard. Nevertheless I re-assign it to requirements for evaluation and decission making. Frank
FST -- One reason for the change would be for writing documentation where you aren't always naming a specific sheet, you are being more general, as I explained in my initial message. I am wondering what you argument against this is? I don't care if we clone excel. I just want a differentiation made between the spreadsheet document as a whole and a sheet in a spreadsheet. Look right there, I had to use 12 words to clarify what I meant. This could be reduced.
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