Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 48937
Make (format) dialogs non modal and add an Apply/preview button to them
Last modified: 2013-02-07 22:32:53 UTC
It would speed up the finishing of documents, (particularly text) if the "Format" tools windows, especially "Character", "Paragraph", "Bullets and Numbering", and suchlike, were opened as an independent window (maybe merged and with a second level tab selection system together with, possibly, an "Apply" button) where we can go through the entire document implementing final format changes, etc. without having to close the window after each single change. This means being able to access (the currently) background document to select different words/areas for editing, instead of being "locked out" as at present whilst the "Format"ing window is open. (Other software programs operate in this manner e.g. Lotus SmartSuite and Corel Draw, to name just two. This shows that it is possible.) It makes an enormous speed improvement to the finishing of any project and I believe it would make a huge enhancement to the usability of OpenOffice.
Did you ever try to press F11? Did I understand what you mean?
You misunderstood my meaning. I was not refering to the "Styles" window. I was refering to the "tidying up" we usually need to do when completing a document. Tweaking the characters of a word or sentence's characteristics e.g. size, style (bold or italic, say), font effects, spacing, etc. or adjusting paragraphs' spacing, etc. and likewise for bullets. As it is each part of the document we wish to adjust has to be done individually with the window closing each time, whereas it would be far more efficient if there was an "apply" button in the window and it was then possible to select the next section of text to adjust without closing the window. At present it is not possble to change the text currently (when the window was opened) selected without first closing the window. Lotus SmartSuite, years ago, had this functionallity as does CorelDraw to name just two examples where this sort of editing is possible.
Ok. So the enhancement is: "Make (format) dialogs non modal and add an Apply/preview button to them" That's right?
I'm not certain as to the meaning of "non modal" but it has the right ring to it, so I will say a provisional "yes" to your interpretation and full "yes" to the "apply/preview" button.
"non modal" means that you can click in the background an work in the document keeping the dialog open. Changing summary and writing a new description.
ENHANCEMENT DESCRIPTION: A preview in dialogs like "Format - Charactera/Paragraphs" is not enough to render format changes quickly and easily. Choosing the righht color for a font or the right indent for a paragraph forces to open/close the dialogs many times before one finds the suiting format. PROPOSAL: - make thos dialogs non modal in order to be able to check changes in the whole document without having to close the dialog - implement an Apply button to apply those changes at dialog run-time.
I can't understand why openoffice doesn't contain that preview feature. It would save sooo much time for users and make it much more comfortable...