Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 79174
macro recorder : Simplify recording and use
Last modified: 2019-08-27 20:19:26 UTC
Recording and using a macro in OOo is extremely difficult for new users, because they are required to understand and navigate two very complex interfaces: the macro code library and the keyboard customization. Both of these are entirely unnecessary for recording and using a simple recorded macro. Please consider adopting a far easier strategy: save the recorded macro to some fixed location/name (no questions asked), and provide a default keyboard shortcut to run the last recorded macro. Rationale: My experience is with Emacs, which has two basic features that really streamline the use of a recorded macro: 1) The record interface is trivial: begin recording, end recording. The recorded macro is always saved under the same name; each new recording replaces the previous one, no questions asked. 2) There is a default key binding that runs the last recorded macro. This means that anyone can record and use a recorded macro without knowing anything except the key binding, and that stays the same so you only have to learn it once. Once these two feature are in place, it would also make sense to provide a simple menu path: Tools > Macros > Run Recorded Macro, and a toolbar button as well. Another option would be to make the macro record window, upon "Stop Recording", change to a "Run Recorded Macro" button. If someone needs to preserve the recorded macro, it would require no more knowledge or work than is already required: just open the macro organizer and move/rename the recorded macro. Related issue/comment: Issue 17398
My opinion is that the macro recorder should be redesigned to * Use API objects when possible. * Be more tolerant of dialogs (ie, recognized that a dialog was opened and that choices were made). Consider the following list of bugs related to the current macro recorder: 18927 Macrorecorder dont recognize bookmarks. 18162 macro recorder not recordering all mouse clicks in scalc 17497 Macro recorder does not recognize mouse click to shift focus 65268 Macro recorder don't remember text attributes in search/repl 20046 [Meta] Macro Recorder Meta Bug 66183 macro recorder does not record new-file actions 25098 macro recorder doesn´t record 18339 Macro recorder ignores column select 18035 macro recorder in scalc not recording all border selections 51329 Macro recorder does not record non-breaking space 57004 macro recorder does not work in embedded Base forms 17747 Macro recorder does not record graphics layer The following menu options might help: Run the last saved macro. Run the last run macro. Run a macro saved in a file (like a saved text file). Just some thoughts.
TM->JSK: please have a look, thanks !
As a new user of Openoffice ( using a mac powerbook qith OS 10.4) I found the record buttons relatively easy to understand but the Organiser very confusing - I could find no explanation of how the organiser worked and what the various sub-levels were for. What was and is deeply frustrating is that the record macro tool does not work properly. I tried to record 2 macros that I had made and used without problem in Excel. Both macros involve Selecting columns, then deleting them or altering the content by using Find and replace. Despite saving arrays and block of cells using Insert - Define Name and then the Navigator to select them the Macro recorded did not 'remember' the selections. The macro appeared just to go to cell A1 and then produced error message that it could not find the relevant cells etc. For an elderly novice like me the difficulties and limitations of Record macro are of major significance. I apologise if by expanding the bug issue I have caused problems but given the instruction not to duplicate things I considered it better to start here. Please tell me if I have done the wrong thing. IN essence Please make the macro organiser more user friendly and ensure that the recorder does work properly
To bh
To grep the issues easier via "requirements" I put the issues currently lying on my owner to the owner "requirements".
I find the macro creation in OOo very difficult and far too complicated for such a simple need. I am, (was) an experienced Lotus 123 user and the macro creation super easy. The super part was attaching the macro to an image and them creating or editing a toolbar by adding the images with macro attached. The resulting creation was saved in a file in the installed software. It was to copy the macros and images for pasting into other installed copies, (on other machines). I started with Lotus *.WK1 and still use Lotus Ver 9.5 Sooo many great features tossed out and replaced with a new wheel and a flat tire. Bill
The enhancement request from HJoe smith contains more then one enhancement. The one from Bill Geneau I do not understand. I have a very old Lotus Notes 1,2,3 at home. I check if I get that to work and see if I understand it then more.