[Issue] MS Office Formula compatibility

[JAN02000]

Okay, I'm using version 2.4 on Windows XP. I was experiencing the same issue with version 2.0 but I upgraded because I thought it might fix the bug.

I occasionally use the Insert -> Object -> Formula function within Writer to put a brief formula or equation in my documents. When I save my document in MS Office XP format and send it to my advisor, my equations look like gibberish.

I toggled the [L] and [S] switches under Tools -> Options -> LoadSave -> MS Office for both the MathType objects and the Word objects.
That did not seem to solve the problem at all.

Is it possible to save it in a format so that it will open correctly in MS Office? Alternatively, could I make the formula object a non-editable picture or something so that it will look right on a MS Office computer?

Thanks.

[acknak]

Export as PDF.

When you save an OOo document that contains a formula as .doc, the formula remains an OOo/OLE object. That means that you must have OOo on any computer where you want to edit the document. You should (I think) be able to display the document, as there are embedded preview images for the formula objects, but I don't know that there's any guarantee of that.

[JAN02000]

I thought it was supposed to be saving it as a MathType object now since I checked that box under Options. MathType is what MS uses, I thought.

Ahh well, any other suggestions?

[acknak]

Oops, I missed that little detail. So sorry.

Try a search--I know the MathType compatibility has come up a few times, but I don't clearly remember the conclusion.

My first recommendation is still the best: if appearance is important, use a PDF.

[JAN02000]

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll just PDF it ...

[Phil]

I could now test it on a pc with MS Office 2003, MathType and OOo 2.3.1 installed on Win XP Pro.

It's really weird!

1. If I create a Math Object in Writer, save it as .doc having the [L] and [S] switches disabled and open it in MS Word, the formula is displayed incorrectly. Double-clicking it opens the formula in OOo Math, saving it again does not resolve the problem, the formula remains incorrect.
2. If I do the same having the [L] and [S] switches enabled and open it in MS Word, the formula is also displayed incorrectly (only slight differences to the first case). Double-clicking it opens the formula in MathType, saving it there does resolve the problem, the formula is then correct.
   But of course this needs to be done for each individual formula.

So this seems to be quite buggy...
Also see this thread that deals with the conversion in the opposite direction (which doesn't work either).

I am not sure if this is changed in version 2.4, which I can't test at the moment.

Should we consider submitting an issue?

KR, phil

[acknak]

If you will provide a sample formula (or attach a .odt including a formula), I can test OOo 2.4 vs Office 2k3. I don't have MathType installed, so if that's an external requirement, then I can't test it.

[Phil]

If you will provide a sample formula (or attach a .odt including a formula), I can test OOo 2.4 vs Office 2k3.

Well, you could just create a .doc in writer (using both methods that I have described: with and without the [L] and [S] switches enabled) and include some formula like

Code: Select all

f(x)=sqrt left (int from 0 to infinity left [(sin x) over x right ] ^ 2 dx right)

I don't have MathType installed, so if that's an external requirement, then I can't test it.

I think you don't need it to create the formula. It's important to test the behavior in MS Word, but that's what I'll do then.

BR, phil

[acknak]

Ok, I'm with you now.

I see exactly the same results you described above.

It seems to be a known problem: Issue 53223: WW8: brackets lost when exporting Equation formulas.

[Phil]

Ok, I'm with you now.

All right!

It seems to be a known problem: Issue 53223: WW8: brackets lost when exporting Equation formulas.

Yes, combined with Issue 50126 that is referenced in the issue you mention the problems seem all to be described.

I should have done an issue search earlier!

Best wishes,
phil

[Cambirder]

Is it possible to save it in a format so that it will open correctly in MS Office? Alternatively, could I make the formula object a non-editable picture or something so that it will look right on a MS Office computer?

You can copy the formula, and using past special replace it with a GDI metafile.

[juanmauricio]

i dont know if it is too late, but i found this and it works

http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=