https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=170414
Bug ID: 170414
Summary: Add support for database fields and serial printing in
LibreOffice Draw
Product: LibreOffice
Version: 25.2.7.2 release
Hardware: All
OS: All
Status: UNCONFIRMED
Severity: enhancement
Priority: medium
Component: Draw
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
Description:
LibreOffice Writer supports database fields and mail merge (serial printing)
using data sources such as Calc spreadsheets or registered databases.
LibreOffice Draw, however, does not support database fields nor any kind of
mail merge / serial duplication of pages based on external data.
This feature request is to add support in LibreOffice Draw for:
• inserting database fields (e.g. text and image fields coming from Calc / CSV
/ registered databases)
• duplicating pages or objects based on records (similar to Writer mail merge)
• exporting or printing multi-page documents generated from a data source
---
Why Writer is not suitable for this use case:
While LibreOffice Writer already supports database fields and mail merge, it is
not well suited for visually rich or typographic layouts.
Writer is based on a flowing text model and page-oriented document structure,
which makes it difficult to:
• precisely position objects
• design cards, badges, posters, or certificates
• create visually consistent layouts
• control alignment and spacing reliably
• work with complex graphics and backgrounds
As a result, using Writer for data-driven graphic layouts is cumbersome and
error-prone.
---
Why Draw is the correct tool for this feature:
LibreOffice Draw is designed for free-form, object-based and visually precise
layouts.
It provides:
• absolute positioning of objects
• vector graphics and shapes
• layers and alignment tools
• better control over images and backgrounds
• a natural workflow for typographic and graphic design
Therefore, Draw is the appropriate module for creating data-driven graphic
documents such as cards, flashcards, badges, posters, certificates and game
components.
Steps to Reproduce:
1.Open LibreOffice Draw
2.Try to insert database fields
3.Try to perform a mail merge or serial duplication
4.Observe that these features are not available
Actual Results:
LibreOffice Draw does not support database fields or any kind of mail merge /
serial duplication.
Expected Results:
LibreOffice Draw should support database fields and mail merge / serial
duplication similarly to LibreOffice Writer.
Reproducible: Always
User Profile Reset: No
Additional Info:
Writer already supports database fields and mail merge. Adding similar
functionality to Draw would greatly improve data-driven graphic workflows.
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