jonathon wrote:
Peg wrote:
Are there any plans to include a WP-like "reveal codes" to Writer?
No.)
For those that insist on a "Reveal Codes" function, there are some options:
* Examine the raw XML of the document;
* Install the Reveal Codes macro found at
http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/hillview/OOo/
(Finding the one for calc is left as an exercise for the reader.);
* learning to use styles correctly;
Having used the macro, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Styles are great if you create the document from start. Try editing a
document when all the others involved don't use styles or use some
strange styles. Imported from WordPerfect and Microsoft Office and
combined into a single document. Or worse. Imported and exported
between the two applications over and over again.
This is the issue that keeps coming up. Some strange formatting happens
due to some issue with importing or formatting. Like an issue I had
with tables that were only 2 characters wide. No matter what I did all
I could do in the end was delete the full table and re-create it. It
was something that would copy and paste.
If not, why not?
CF
* http://wp.openoffice.org/rcodes.html
* Bruce Byfield explains the case fairly well here
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8989
Interesting link. I don't fully agree with him from my experience.
Yes, I have learned and use styles on as many documents as I can.
Direct formatting in many cases is quicker for those one time documents.
I find that this glosses over the issue that I run into. Issues caused
when moving between users that use WP and Office/OOo. What a mess.
I find this quote interesting. One reason that Word and OOo are not
doing well in our organization and people prefer WP. Or move to LaTeX.
Otherwise, if you want more, you're probably better off using
TeX than a graphical word processor. For most purposes, Writer
already has all the tools it needs for troubleshooting formatting.
Using the F11 (Styles box) is helpful but not as informative as one of
the suggestions that I put on the bug you list here. A box that
displays the styles and formatting in a simple to view box like Reveal
Codes in WP. Or an option to have the code points to be displayed like
the "View > Nonprinting characters"
* http://www.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=3395 is a
discussion on how useful such a feature is.
My personal opinion: "Reveal Codes" are a crutch required by those
too lazy to be bothered to learn how to use their tools correctly.
Furthermore, by manipulating the raw XML, one has a degree of power,
control, and functionality that WP's "Reveal Codes" will never be able
to touch.
xan
jonathon
Why not allow editing of the underlying XML directly within OOo? This
would meet the requirements. Just a thought.
--
Robin Laing
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