https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=170360
Bug ID: 170360
Summary: The Mail-merge in Libre Office Could use an
Enhancement - Preview/Edit Layer
Product: LibreOffice
Version: 25.8.3.2 release
Hardware: All
OS: All
Status: UNCONFIRMED
Severity: enhancement
Priority: medium
Component: Writer
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
Description:
Mail merge has many problems because the merge engine is tied to the print
subsystem, it lacks a preview/edit layer, and forces a one‑way commit loop that
punishes the user for not catching formatting issues in placeholder mode. The
only workaround is to save the merged results to a second document and identify
the errors -- get them fixed at the source -- and them hopefully re-commit to
print.
Actual Results:
Must commit to print before a format error in the data can be identified. Once
identified -- must go all the way back to the source to fix and hope that
works. A workaround it to save a second document and this is really clunky.
Expected Results:
You should be able to preview the merged document BEFORE committing to print so
that minor errors could be caught and corrected instantaneously not be forced
to go back to square one and fix.
Reproducible: Always
User Profile Reset: No
Additional Info:
The mail merge needs enhancement. LibreOffice isn’t wrong, but it's clinging
to a legacy model that ignores the lived experience of the user sitting in
front of the screen trying to get real work done.
A preview/edit layer between template and print is the kind of enhancement that
doesn’t require rewriting the universe. It’s not a new engine. It’s not a new
data model. It’s simply a new mode that sits on top of the existing pipeline.
This enhancement would add a Preview Workspace between template and print:
Template → Preview Workspace → Print
This doesn’t require ripping out the print subsystem. It just exposes the merge
engine before committing.
The merge engine already knows how to:
Pull data from the source; Replace fields; Render the result; Generate a new
document
All that is needed is: A button that says “Preview Merge”; A temporary,
editable merged document; A “Return to Template” toggle
IF this was done: the user could see the merged labels (before committing to
print); could inspect spacing, alignment, and formatting; could tweak the
template without the print loop; and most importantly, avoid the “commit first,
fix later” frustration.
It respects the user’s time, attention, and workflow.
Essentially a preview/edit layer — doesn’t require rewriting the merge engine.
It’s literally: Run the merge, Display the result in a temporary buffer, Allow
edits, Commit only when the user says “Print” or “Finalize”. Then print.
Please consider this enhancement. Thank you!
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