Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 8811
Allow multiple users to edit the same spreadsheet through workbook sharing
Last modified: 2013-11-26 19:09:30 UTC
Another powerful feature for collaborating is workbook sharing (in fact we use this for managing a project for Sun). Basically allows multiple users to edit the same spreadsheet, tracks changes, locks cells that are being changed, tracks changes, and keeps each user's view up to date. It also limits what you can do with the workbook while it is being shared.
One additional issue I just noticed (which I would type as a DEFECT). When an excel workbook is shared the file is not locked (assuming you have file locking on your Samba server turned or your using a windows server), so if you open it with OOo edit and save all other shared users who have the file lose their work. It says tells them that their session was broken for some reason and their only option is to do a save as. If you choose not to suppore shared workbooks feature then at a minimum you should detect it when you open the file and force a read only status.
Hi Falko, 1 4 U. Peter
For FT and not for me.
This is an collaboration issue that shoulsd be covered by 2.0's successor.
Started
enhanced summary, set keywords and reassigned issue according to RFE process
*** Issue 39521 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
*** Issue 13597 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
I'm working in a bank. OOo is being studied for now. Shared spreadsheets is very used in these environnments. A must-have, IMO. Comment of Skiani confirmed in OOo2.0.
We need to be able to open a Calc file by multiple people and make realtime changes. Please add sharing capability. Thx.
This feature is very important for small/medium factories. I have been requested for it from a very important customer who want to migrate to OOo. A database application can't solve the problem: they only need to have a nice and easy-to-use graphical Interface. Please, do something similar to Excel sharing capability!!!!!
FT, Can you please take care about this issue, since you already say Started ? But Since 2003 until now we did not hear any more news. please update the target if necessary. Thanks ------- Additional comments from ft Wed Oct 15 01:18:24 -0800 2003 ------- Started
I started working on this... ft: Is there any work on this already done? I'd prefer not to reinvent the wheel ;-)
*** Issue 73670 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
this is one of the final features that is keeping us from migrating to a complete ooo environment.
I recently setup a number of computers in Tonga for a government department there. I used mostly open source software. I would have used open office, but unfortunately they needed this feature with multiple users updating the same spreadsheet at the same time. This meant we had to buy Office 2003. This functionality would have enabled me to push open office as an alternative.
We have 20 users but without this feature we cannot use Open Office.
*** Issue 76570 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
I have noticed that people only ask for this for spreadsheets. Are we talking just about the cells of spreadsheets, or about the layout and titling of graphs as well? Why not documents, drawings, or slide shows? If a "collaboration" method is to be provided surely it should be for every type of document, not just one? I must declare an interest here: I think organisations that do this instead of using a database system are stark staring raving bonkers.
Answer to bobharvey : Yes, this can be done for every kind of documents. The main reason we asked it for calc is because of migration from MSOffice. The feature, available in Excel, is very used in small teams, and thus the lack of this feature is a drawback for the migration. practical for some kind of temporary documents. Well, about your interest, i'll give you an example: For one project, which lasts about 1 month, I propose a calc sheet to fill in all tasks, in order to report information later to the HQ. Shall I ask my client to give me a database or use a spreadsheet which allows for concurrent access ? Not saying that cost is all for my client, huh? Remember I have only one month, and no time to argue :-) So whatever you think (and i agree with you about some uses), this feature is *needed*. I think votes express that, actually.
this is still the one major that is keeping us from migrating to openoffce.org. its about 5000 seats.
TBE->KENDY: Are you still working on this?
tbe: The work is stalled ATM due to higher priority tasks; if you can work on this, please do :-) I can provide you with ideas & patches (mostly of proof-of-concept nature) I've done so far.
My department uses shared Excel spreadsheets extensively and OO is currently being tested by several as a replacement to MS Office. But lack of 'share' in spreadsheet will prevent complete migration to OO. This is definitely a powerful tool that OO Calc should include.
kendy: I plan to work on a prototype. Of course your contributions are appreciated and welcome. If you want to contribute some patches, I propose to attach them to this issue. For discussing your ideas the best place is probably the dev@sc.openoffice.org mailing list.
tbe: So, what I did so far is in ooo-build: http://svn.gnome.org/viewcvs/ooo-build/trunk/patches/src680/shared-worksheets.diff It is the proof-of-concept code, treats every workbook as the shared one. It lacks the switch in the data format to indicate that the workbook is, or is not shared. It also does not implement any locking needed for the proper functionality in the shared environment; it has just TODO's in the code. For the functionality, it needs also this patch: http://svn.gnome.org/viewcvs/ooo-build/trunk/patches/src680/modal-changes-dialog.diff This implements modal version of the changes dialog which is used for the resolution what changes should be accepted - of course, it is the first shot, later some more automatic should be added I guess. All the code is about 3/4 year old, sorry if it does not apply as-is.
tbe: As you are working on the implementation, I guess you are the right owner now ;-) Please, do you have a CWS for this yet? I might have some time to help, so...
This issue needs to be evaluated first, therefore set to requirements.
We will give it a try. Please see my blog posting at: http://blogs.sun.com/GullFOSS/entry/collaboration_for_calc_with_shared
As discussed with FST set target to OOo 3.0, priority P3 and issue type FEATURE.
accepted
Please see the specification at http://specs.openoffice.org/calc/features/Collaboration.odt
fixed on CWS calcshare Note, that file locking is not working reliable when working on different file systems (nfs, samba, etc.). This will be fixed in a follow-up issue.
TBE->OC: Please verify in CWS calcshare.
Created attachment 51910 [details] TestCaseSpecification (Beta)
Created attachment 51911 [details] List of current open and known issues
verified in internal build cws_calcshare
closed because fix available in builds DEV300_m28
*** Issue 108527 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***