Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 42446
fomula editor has not been enhanced since Star Office 5.0
Last modified: 2013-10-07 17:28:50 UTC
I have been used StarOffice since the release of version 5.0. then moved to OpenOffice. One of the things that did not change is the Math Editor. Although I like the Command method of input, it is not enough in terms of lack of some features. 1. It lacks some symbols or operators and a problem of spacing if you try to type them directly. Take this example and see the spacing: y'''_{t+1} = x"*"_{t} + e_{t+1} Notice the spacing for superscript {'''}. This is a symbol for the third derivative.. The prime symbols are far from each other. The second issue the location of the subscript {t or t+1}. These subscripts belong to the variables y and x and therefore should be very close to these variables. Their location should be aligned with or below the superscript. 2. The second feature would be a great enhancement is the ability to align two equations to a character or "=". I am doing that manually. MS Equation 3.0 allows you to do that. Latex allows you to do that. Here is an example that needs manual alignment: y_{t+1}= a + b x_t + e_{t+1} newline x_t = f x_{t-1} + c q_t + %eta_t 3. The third feature is to add "copy", "cut" "paste" functionality to the right-hand button of the mouse. I checked OpenOffice 1.9 m74. I found no change to the math editor which is disappointing. I asked these features when I tested StarOffice 6.0. Two versions later nothing has changed since, except for the math format and some cosmatic things.
Target set to OOo 2.0.1. As agreed with MRU it may also be changed to Target set to OOo 2.0.2.
As fort the first issue: See issue 43926. As for the rest: It's a request for enhancement and thus I'll pass this one on. Terget removed.
See related discussion in OOo forum: http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewtopic.phtml?p=76061 Also, what I miss the most is "search and replace" that includes formulas.
Other requests... An arcover command (like lineover) for describing arcs of a circle. Shortcuts for common math symbols like degree and congruence.
Some additional requests: Support for more operators (such as exclusive or (xor), therefore) Aliases for common commands ( not should do same thing as neg, implies same thing as toward, etc.) Perhaps a docking panel that contains the symbols? Ability to have function object inherit size/color settings from base document in writer? Ability to embed functions inside of cells in OOo Spreadsheet...
It has been two years since this issue has been reported. I don't see any change or any intent to change any thing to math editor, which really discourage any one wants to write a document with advanced math.
For the 2nd issue (alignment), it's in issue 5998.
Created attachment 76614 [details] Ugly workaround to have an arc over (In reply to comment #4) > An arcover command (like lineover) for describing arcs of a circle. Yeah, it would be nice to have this command. For the moment, I've only found an ugly workaround by using csup and "⌒", the Unicode character for arc (U+2312). The attached image shows the following three examples: "A" csup{"⌒"} "AB" csup{size 12 "⌒"} "ABC" csup{size 16 "⌒"} It's really ugly but I don't know how to move the arc down near to the letters or how to stretch the arc horizontally. Currently there is the breve command. So actually Math is almost there. You just need to turn this thing 180° around and that's it!
While waiting for the never-coming implementation :( I have come up with an alternative to using OOO Math: * Use image instead of Math object * Recommendation: save the text-based expressions as picture's "Description" to make it easier to change the expression in the future Here are two suggestions: 1. Go to http://www.codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php . Type in math expressions, use large font and resolution and download image . Scale down the image to have better resolution . Recommendation: backup Latex expression inside Description . For the arc, we can use either "\overarc {AB}" or "\stackrel \frown {AB}" 2. Use Wikipedia's math rendering engine . Edit any Wikipedia page (but DO NOT save it), or even better, use Sandbox at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Sandbox . Similarly, type in math expression using Wikipedia syntax, eg <math>\overset{\frown}{AB}</math> . See the preview and right-click on the image to save it . Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Displaying_a_formula for the syntax . Contrary to the first suggestion, it's not possible to change resolution of Wikipedia rendered images HTH