Dear OpenOffice.org,
Here are some observations about Calc v2.0.1.
Regular Expression ("regex") Replace Problem
--------------------------------------------
Here's a suggestion for improving "Edit menu > Find and Replace... > More
Options > Regular expressions".
Good: Regular expressions, such as ([0-9])([A-Z]), are supported in the
"Search for" field.
Bad: Calc doesn't support regex in the "Replace with" field.
In other programs that support "regex replace", text that is matched by the
sub-expressions in parenthesis can be used in the replace expression.
For example, suppose a spreadsheet cell contains the string "2A".
Suppose the find expression is: ([0-9])([A-Z])
and suppose the replace expression is: \2\1
Resulting text entered into the cell by Calc v2.0.1 is: "\2\1" <<==
Useless result!
Resulting text entered into cell if "regex replace" was implemented
properly: A2 (ie. characters are swapped).
Perhaps the Calc Software Architect decided not to implement regex replace
because it would produce unexpected results if used by inexperienced users.
To make it safer, you could give users the options of:
- Changing background color of cells that were changed (or change other
formatting such as bold text),
- Selecting all cells that were changed in the most recent replace
operation (so that users can tab from cell to cell, and visually check
changes. This would have the added benefit of letting users change cell
formatting after the replace was complete.
- Make the change undoable
Find and Replace, Range Problem
-------------------------------
The "Current selection only" checkbox is like a booby trap waiting to
destroy data.
Suppose I select a range of cells, then I turn on "Current selection only",
then I click on a single cell -- Calc turns off "Current selection only",
and leaves it turned off, even when I select a new range of cells. If I
don't notice this malicious behavior, my whole spreadsheet is changed.
If I click [Find All], Calc doesn't confine the find operation to the range
I selected, it does the whole spreadsheet.
This is also true for the replace command.
This is bad -- suppose I want to make changes to all matching cells in
column D, and leave all other columns unchanged -- I can't do it.
Suggestion: Get rid of the "Current selection only" checkbox. Follow the
Excel standard: Search the whole spreadsheet if one cell is selected; if a
range is selected, then confine the search to the range.
Find and Replace, Wildcard Problem
----------------------------------
Calc Find doesn't support wildcards.
Suppose a cell contains Abc
Find A* doesn't find anything.
Suggestion: Implement wildcard searches. The 99.9% of the population who
don't understand regex's will be grateful.
User Interface Inconsistency
----------------------------
The Find dialog box has a "More Options" button. When you click it, it
changes to "Less Options"
"Data menu > Filter > Standard Filter" has a "More" button. When you click
it, it doesn't change to "Less".
Suggestion: Make button names consistent. Is there anything wrong with
using Excel's [Options >>] and [<< Options]?
Checkboxes vs. Radio Buttons
----------------------------
Radio buttons are normally used for mutually exclusive choices, and
checkboxes are used for choices that are not mutually exclusive .
The Find dialog box violates these standards.
"Regular expression", "Similarity search" and "Search for Styles" are
mutually exclusive options and should be represented by radio buttons, not
check boxes.
A fourth radio button, "Wildcard search" should be added.
A minor nitpick: If Calc's dialog boxes standardize on "sentence case",
then "Search for Styles" should be "Search for styles".
If you can, you should draw a faint line around the set of radio buttons,
to give the user a visual cue to the set of alternatives.
Data Filters
------------
Data filters don't do anything.
Regards,
Don Beaton
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
