What do you mean? I thought, for example "SO"^{2- ""}_4 looks like it
should. (OOo1.1RC3 on Win98)

kind regards
Regina

I don't understand your syntax completely, but SO_4^2- where _ 
indicates start of sub- and ^ start of superscript looks like in the 
attached image; this image also includes how I like it to be able to 
look.

Created attachment 9076 [details]
example file

one can in fact argue that (SO_4)^2- (sequentially) is correct (it's 
SO_4 and this is 2 x negatively charged) but then there are other 
situations where it's useful to have the suggested possibility.

Btw.: the attached image shows (SO^2-)_4 as the "how it currently is"-
case; this nomenclature is wrong: it's correct like in the paragraph 
above.

jw: reassigend to bh

Created attachment 9100 [details]
correct formula

I think you need no enhancement. It's all correct, see my file.
Lars:
(1) "SO" without braces OOo thinks, that it is a variable and styles
it in italic.
(2) 2-"" Minus needs a right operand.
(3) {2-""} With the braces you tell OOo that this all has to be
superscripted.
But I think, such things should be discussed in a newsgroup.

kind regards
Regina

newsgroups: True

Your attached formula is exactly how I like it to look.

But I haven't achieved it with OOo yet. If it is possible (using a 
dialogue or a menu function -- otherwise this issue should become an 
appropriate enhancement), you may close this issue. But before tell 
me here how to achieve it...

Lars

Insert -> Object -> Formula
Then type "SO"_4^{2-""} directly into the Math Commands window.

ah; OK, but this enhancement request is for Writer (or the text 
group; it should also work in Calc).

OpenOffice.org Issue Tracker - Feedback Request.

The Issue you raised is currently 'Unconfirmed' pending review, but has not been
updated within the last 3 years. Please consider re-testing with one of the
latest versions of OOo, as the problem(s) may have already been addressed.
Either use the recent stable version: http://download.openoffice.org/index.html
or consider trying the new OOo 3 BETA (still in testing):
http://download.openoffice.org/3.0beta/
 
Please report back the outcome so this Issue may be Closed or Progressed as
necessary - otherwise it may be Resolved as Invalid in the future. You may also
wish to search for (and note) any duplicates of this Issue that may have
advanced further by checking the Issue Tracker:
http://www.openoffice.org/issues/query.cgi
 
Many thanks,
Andrew
 
Cleaning-up and Closing old Issues as part of:
~ The Grand Bug Squash, pre v3 ~
http://marketing.openoffice.org/3.0/announcementbeta.html

chemical symbols and equations are better done via the Math formula editor. The 
suggested enhancement might still be usable sometime.