[Issue] Cell Back Color
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:35 am
[Issue] Cell Back Color
Hello,
When you paint down one or more cells with a back color, the back color icon turns to the default "no color".
Wouln't it make more sense of staying with the same last color applied?
Is this an issue or a "feature"?
Thank you
When you paint down one or more cells with a back color, the back color icon turns to the default "no color".
Wouln't it make more sense of staying with the same last color applied?
Is this an issue or a "feature"?
Thank you
Last edited by Hagar Delest on Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Tagged thread as Issue (link to a bug report).
Reason: Tagged thread as Issue (link to a bug report).
work: OpenOffice 2.4 - Windows XP
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
Re: Cell Back Color
You're right. In fact, that's the way it works in Writer; I have no idea why it's different in Calc.
I haven't checked, but I'm fairly sure this has been requested.
I haven't checked, but I'm fairly sure this has been requested.
AOO4/LO5 • Linux • Fedora 23
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:35 am
Re: Cell Back Color
I get a lot of "complaints" everyday I've installed it on a lot of computers...
Will post soon some (after i search on the forum)
Will post soon some (after i search on the forum)
work: OpenOffice 2.4 - Windows XP
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
- kingfisher
- Volunteer
- Posts: 2123
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:53 am
Re: Cell Back Color
You could consider using styles instead of hard formatting colours: F11 or the menu Format> Styles & Formatting. You should be able to assign each style to a key binding (that's broken on my version).
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.9 on Linux
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:35 am
Re: Cell Back Color
Would do for an advanced user, that works mainly with same colors.
But to another not so experienced user that deals with something as different as OpenOffice (yes, users say its a LOT different - personally don't know where )...
To apply colors to some cells its painfull...
The formatting brush's problem is that the text formatting comes along which is not the point here...
Can anyone tell me if this could be considered an issue? If yes, can you point me the way to check if there is already a ticket created for this one or how can I create a new?
Thank you so much...
But to another not so experienced user that deals with something as different as OpenOffice (yes, users say its a LOT different - personally don't know where )...
To apply colors to some cells its painfull...
The formatting brush's problem is that the text formatting comes along which is not the point here...
Can anyone tell me if this could be considered an issue? If yes, can you point me the way to check if there is already a ticket created for this one or how can I create a new?
Thank you so much...
work: OpenOffice 2.4 - Windows XP
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
- kingfisher
- Volunteer
- Posts: 2123
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:53 am
Re: Cell Back Color
The point has been raised on oooforum. I don't remember whether an issue has been filed with oo.o. When you start the process of filing an issue, you are encouraged to find out whether an issue has already been filed. I have a link for issue reports. You have to register before you can file an issue. I find that searching tells me nothing, the process is unnecessarily convoluted and I tend to file an issue without caring over much whether it is a duplicate. If it is a duplicate, it will be marked as such and you can vote for the previous issue.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.9 on Linux
Re: Cell Back Color
I am not being the least bit facetious here when I ask, "Why do you think it makes more sense?" It would be important only if you would want to keep using the same colour. I'd suspect that most users do not use the same background colour always when there is so much choice, and that in fact they would more often change than not. So, would it matter if they started from the same chosen background or from the default to then choose another colour?marcosramos wrote:Hello,
When you paint down one or more cells with a back color, the back color icon turns to the default "no color".
Wouln't it make more sense of staying with the same last color applied?
As I say, I'm not being facetious. Some argue similarly on the alternate uses of British or Metric measure. I'm quite equally at home with each, so it's of no bother either way. What I'm suggesting is... would it not be equally a bother that the background colour is retained if you wanted to change it?
I can easily copy a coloured background by choosing one such cell, and copy/pasting from there to the range requiring the same colour background.
David.
- kingfisher
- Volunteer
- Posts: 2123
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:53 am
Re: Cell Back Color
I agree with that sentiment. There are many instances where presenting an existing or the previous choice is irritating. In this case, though, what is presented is "no colour choice", which is obviously far less likely than the previous choice. If you wanted "no colour choice", you would not be using the tool.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.9 on Linux
Re: Cell Back Color
Here's the issue: Issue 10864: Border/Backgroundcolor button on toolbar is not 'sticky'. Notably, it's targeted to be fixed for OOo 3.0, coming in September.
I think the logic goes something like this. There are only two situations: either
a) The user wants to set a different color than the previous setting, or
b) The user wants to repeat the same color setting as before.
If the situation is (a), then having a "sticky" color button doesn't hurt anything. The user must pick the new color.
If the situation is (b), then having a "sticky" color button is a huge win.
So you lose nothing and you gain something (and possibly a lot), regardless of whether a or b is more often the case.
In fact, the OOo color buttons are not very helpful even for situation (a), because they don't show you which swatch is the current color. You have to look at the swatches and try to guess which one matches the current one.
The simple fact is that fixing pure usability issues like have a very low priority in OOo--understandably. Still, I will be very happy to be proved wrong if it actually appears with OOo 3.0.
I think the logic goes something like this. There are only two situations: either
a) The user wants to set a different color than the previous setting, or
b) The user wants to repeat the same color setting as before.
If the situation is (a), then having a "sticky" color button doesn't hurt anything. The user must pick the new color.
If the situation is (b), then having a "sticky" color button is a huge win.
So you lose nothing and you gain something (and possibly a lot), regardless of whether a or b is more often the case.
In fact, the OOo color buttons are not very helpful even for situation (a), because they don't show you which swatch is the current color. You have to look at the swatches and try to guess which one matches the current one.
The simple fact is that fixing pure usability issues like have a very low priority in OOo--understandably. Still, I will be very happy to be proved wrong if it actually appears with OOo 3.0.
AOO4/LO5 • Linux • Fedora 23
Re: Cell Back Color
I have to agree. In the meantime, the copy/paste will accommodate that to some extent.acknak wrote:If the situation is (b), then having a "sticky" color button is a huge win.
David.
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:35 am
Re: Cell Back Color
Great news
work: OpenOffice 2.4 - Windows XP
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
desktop: OpenOffice 2.3.1 - Windows XP
laptop: Openoffice 2.3.1 - Vista
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
I have been looking for information on the background color/colour issue for some time. How can I find out what the background color is for a cell?!? I can copy and paste the formatting, but even the cell info screen doesn't tell me the color name!
I can't wait for the sticky button for background/foreground colors! I voted for the issues but it's been a long time coming for some of these usability problems.
Thanks
Darryl
I can't wait for the sticky button for background/foreground colors! I voted for the issues but it's been a long time coming for some of these usability problems.
Thanks
Darryl
Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
Why do you need to know the color name?How can I find out what the background color is for a cell?!? I can copy and paste the formatting, but even the cell info screen doesn't tell me the color name!
What are you trying to accomplish?
Edit: And, please start a new topic unless your question flows very closely from this existing topic. |
AOO4/LO5 • Linux • Fedora 23
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
Fair enough. When I am trying to use the same color in one cell as appears in another in someone else's spreadsheet, I want to know the name of the background (or foreground/text) color. That way I can differentiate between Blue 4, Sea Blue, Blue 3, and Light Blue for example. I don't like clicking mercilessly until I finally click on what might be the same color. And how can I distinguish between "No Fill" and "White" as the background?acknak wrote:Why do you need to know the color name?How can I find out what the background color is for a cell?!? I can copy and paste the formatting, but even the cell info screen doesn't tell me the color name!
What are you trying to accomplish?
I think this is quite closely related, since if the color isn't "sticky" in the drop-down menu, then how do I repeat the same color in another cell? Copy and pasting for formatting might work if I haven't already styled the cells in other ways.acknak wrote:
Edit: And, please start a new topic unless your question flows very closely from this existing topic.
Basically it seems the background color selection is 'write-only' if the color name already in a cell doesn't show up anywhere accessible.
I am ultimately looking for to determine a random cell's current background color and/or font color.
Thanks
Darryl
Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
One place you can see which color is selected is to open the cell's format properties window: right click > Format Cells > Background. This will show you which color (if you look closely, the current color swatch has a border around it), and the color name at the bottom.
If the cell uses a custom color, you're simply out of luck without opening up the document's XML code, or using some other graphics utility to pick a color off the screen. There's no way at all to find what the RGB values are through the UI.
If you need complicated formatting, I encourage you to learn how to use Calc's cell styles. It's really the best way to keep everything consistent, and you can "stack" the styles to separate the border settings from the background color.
BTW, do you know about the "format paintbrush"? It's a bit easier than copy/paste of the cell format.
If the cell uses a custom color, you're simply out of luck without opening up the document's XML code, or using some other graphics utility to pick a color off the screen. There's no way at all to find what the RGB values are through the UI.
If you need complicated formatting, I encourage you to learn how to use Calc's cell styles. It's really the best way to keep everything consistent, and you can "stack" the styles to separate the border settings from the background color.
BTW, do you know about the "format paintbrush"? It's a bit easier than copy/paste of the cell format.
AOO4/LO5 • Linux • Fedora 23
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
I'm not sure when that stopped working, but it doesn't show the correct color highlight or name any more. I think it broke in the last 3 or 4 months, but I haven't seen anything in Issue Tracker, besides the "sticky" issue which is close but not the same.acknak wrote:One place you can see which color is selected is to open the cell's format properties window: right click > Format Cells > Background. This will show you which color (if you look closely, the current color swatch has a border around it), and the color name at the bottom.
I haven't used custom colors at all, but I have found how to do that if I want. I suspect the same issue would present itself.acknak wrote:If the cell uses a custom color, you're simply out of luck without opening up the document's XML code, or using some other graphics utility to pick a color off the screen. There's no way at all to find what the RGB values are through the UI.
I even tried making a style and editing it, to see if the color name is present there. It's not. I've come to the conclusion that in the versions of OpenOffice I'm using (NeoOffice 2.2.4 for Mac, OOo 3 beta 2 for Mac OS X, and OOo-dev latest) the background color names and font colors names are very hard to retrieve from existing files.acknak wrote: If you need complicated formatting, I encourage you to learn how to use Calc's cell styles. It's really the best way to keep everything consistent, and you can "stack" the styles to separate the border settings from the background color.
I have had a tiny bit of success in leaving the background color palette open and then using the palette to change a color. The color name appears at the bottom of the palette, but it doesn't update when you select a different cell:
Yes, I've used that.acknak wrote: BTW, do you know about the "format paintbrush"? It's a bit easier than copy/paste of the cell format.
Thanks for your thoughts on this, the functionality seems to have regressed in recent months but I haven't tested enough to enter a new issue at Issue Tracker.
Darryl
Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
I'm not sure what you mean by that. OOo 2.4.1 has no problem showing the background color with existing files, even 3- or 4-year-old sheets in the old .sxc format.I've come to the conclusion that... the background color names and font colors names are very hard to retrieve from existing files.
This feature could be a new addition, possibly made without an issue to track it. I have to say that I've not noticed it before, but then I haven't really looked for it.
Again, I'm confused. In my OOo, the style properties dialog is modal: it's not possible to change to a different cell without first closing the properties dialog.I have had a tiny bit of success in leaving the background color palette open and then using the palette to change a color. The color name appears at the bottom of the palette, but it doesn't update when you select a different cell:
Just for kicks, here's what I'm looking at:
AOO4/LO5 • Linux • Fedora 23
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
acknak: you are looking at Format>Cells...
Darryl has opened the Format toolbar icon "Background"
Darryl has opened the Format toolbar icon "Background"
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
Nice catch, Winfried! I was careful to spell out how to get the dialog, but then I just assumed that we were looking at the same thing. Thanks!
AOO4/LO5 • Linux • Fedora 23
Re: [Issue] Cell Back Color
Here's the two background palettes side by side:
I can see now the swatch name in the Format Cells window, but I am 100% sure that it was not showing up earlier today with the same build, in the same window!
I recall that, because I noticed that the extra Chart colors caused a scrollbar to appear in the Format Cells dialog, but not in the Background window/palette. At that time, the Format Cells ALSO didn't show the swatch name, but now it does.
Either I'm going nuts or... I'm going nuts. Neither is good
Thanks
Darryl
I can see now the swatch name in the Format Cells window, but I am 100% sure that it was not showing up earlier today with the same build, in the same window!
I recall that, because I noticed that the extra Chart colors caused a scrollbar to appear in the Format Cells dialog, but not in the Background window/palette. At that time, the Format Cells ALSO didn't show the swatch name, but now it does.
Either I'm going nuts or... I'm going nuts. Neither is good
Thanks
Darryl
Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething
Please have exact change.
OOo 3.2.X on Mac OSsomething