Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 90226
leading numerical char + operator = formula
Last modified: 2013-11-15 09:48:06 UTC
I a column of 'Expenses'I have cells that, normally, receives only constants, such as '264.58'. Sometimes, however, I have to add an item, ie, change the constant to a formula: '264.58+86.3'. Easy: I hit f2 (to enter the edit mode) and, since the cursor is at the end of '264.58', I enter '+86.3'. Problem: that's not a formula without a leading =. To enter that = sign, I have to hit Home to put the cursor at the formula beginning, and hit =. (If entering the initial = sign is a problem to begin with --Issue 20496; eg, ggabriel Thu Jul 29 00:11:54 +0000 2004; Issue 46416--, it becomes worse in this case, when it has to be added in front of an existing number.) I read all the discussion around Issue 20496, and the suggestions to put a leading + or - to identify a formula, but the requirement to put ANYthing in front of the first datum ('264.58') will add at least two keystrokes --too much, when repeated often. It would be a lot easier (not only to me, but to anyone trying to enter a formula beginning with a number) if Calc recognized the obvious: that '264.58+86.3' is a formula. Or, that any string beginning with a numeral (or ., -, +, =) is a formula, eg: '20.7+D5'; '6*A44-F12+64.9'; '.5*sum(E8:F22)'. If the user wants this to be text, let her precede it with an apostrophe; because real text seldom begin with a numeral, this leading apostrophe will be required much less often than a leading = in a formula. This convention would make constants particular cases of formulae. This may be undesirable as constants may take less memory. But they can easily be distinguished from formulae by the absence of an operator; for example, '2.5' is a constant; '2.5*A4', '2.5-4' are formulae. In conclusion: a string would be interpreted as a formula if it began with a numerical char (0..9, ., -, +, =) and contained an operator. The leading = sign (or +, or -) would remain useful in such formulae as '=sum(B4:C10)' or '=C3^2'.
reassigning features and enhancements to user requirements@openoffice.org which will be the default owner for those tasks (was introduced some time ago)
I'm against 264.58+86.3 being recognized as formula. But pressing Home can be eliminated by allowing 264.58+86.3= being recognized as formula. i.e. 264.58 F2 +86.3= Enter instead of 264.58 F2 +86.3 Home = Enter