I want to insert a string into a cell using keystrokes. I'm sorry this will
seem overdone, but I want people to know I've tried to research this on my own.
I'm using Open Office 3.0-r14320, I use PCLinuxOS and this version of Open
Office came from the PCLinuxOS repository. For some reason, there are no Open
Office help files installed (in Calc, F1 creates error).
The string I want to insert is the current date, this is a static number.
I don't want the date() function, nor do I want the time() function, nor do I
want any other function which will change when F9 is pressed. I also do not
wish to 'work around' by pasting a function then later copy and paste the value
of the cell over the function. I do not want to use nor do I want to create a
'Macro'. I'm not asking 'how do I change the format of the current (or any
other) cell'.
What I want is to do is insert into the active cell a string which represents
'now', now means 'this exact moment in time' (well, 'now' according to system
clock). The value of the string is static, because it represents the numerical
value of the ONE moment when the insert keys were pressed. F9 won't change it,
recalculation won't change it. Directly editing the cell CAN change it. Maybe
it will look like this: 38755.1204, and a few seconds later, like this:
38755.1911. I think that is the format of the Open Office Calc internal date
string.
I would like an action similar to Excel 97 where I press a modifier key and FOR
EXAMPLE the double quote (") key and poof, a number which represents this
moment in time, right now, is inserted into the current cell.
To help you get what I mean, current descriptions on the Microsoft Excel
website describe the keys as "ctrl +", but I stopped using Excel .... I hope
you do not wonder why.
I'll select a date format for the the cell outside of this request (usually I
format the whole column to a specific date format, I'm pretty sure I'm still
capable of that much, but I have my senior moments).
I've searched the mailing list archives for 'date string', but after 45 minutes
of reading, the list of what I've found seems to have no answer.
Examples that aren't what I want:
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?listName=users&msgNo=136052
results in a discussion for an older version of OO: "It's in the menu
INSERT->FIELDS->DATE"
Insert menu still exists, but 'fields' is not there any more.
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?listName=users&msgNo=180920
results in discussing how to format a cell with a string.
http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?listName=users&msgNo=191309
also discusses INSERT->FIELDS->DATE as well as discussing formatting fields
I realized that since message 191309 is a message that was posted on 18 Jan 09,
I'd have to refer to posts more recent than 18 Jan 09.
One post that I found
(http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?listName=users&msgNo=195082)
contains a VERY near miss:
o Go to Tools | Customize... | Keyboard.
o At the top right, select the appropriate radio
button - for OpenOffice.org or for the relevant component.
o Under Category, select Insert.
o Under Function, select Date.
o Under "Shortcut keys", select your preferred keystroke.
o Click Modify and OK.
Under the Function category, I do not see an item called "Date". I wish it were
there!
I must be just a few fractions of a revision behind the 8 ball.....
Any ideas?
TIA.
--mmmna
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