Bug 139697 - UI: Certain toolbar items split button (drop down picker) without any addition functionality
Summary: UI: Certain toolbar items split button (drop down picker) without any additio...
Status: RESOLVED NOTABUG
Alias: None
Product: LibreOffice
Classification: Unclassified
Component: UI (show other bugs)
Version:
(earliest affected)
7.2.0.0.alpha0+
Hardware: All All
: medium normal
Assignee: Not Assigned
URL:
Whiteboard:
Keywords: needsUXEval
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2021-01-17 10:07 UTC by Telesto
Modified: 2021-01-20 11:11 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

See Also:
Crash report or crash signature:


Attachments
Screenshot (163.12 KB, image/jpeg)
2021-01-17 16:06 UTC, Telesto
Details

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Description Telesto 2021-01-17 10:07:12 UTC
Description:
UI: Certain toolbar items split button (drop down picker) without any addition functionality

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Open Writer
2. Insert a shape/object
3. Click the anchor button (not specific the drop down arrow)... drop down appears (OK)
4. No click specific the arrow (same drop down)
5. Same for the 'insert table'
6. Compare with 'insert numbering button'

Actual Results:
There are cases where the drop down arrow doesn't does the same thing. Is apparently used indicate the button to expand.. 

However in other cases there is actually additional functionality below the 'arrow'. This not really communicative. 

I personally inclined to only show the arrow down button.. where it does containing something else.. Else it's simply a button.. you click and a drop down appears.. But split button not needed

Expected Results:
See above


Reproducible: Always


User Profile Reset: No



Additional Info:
Version: 7.2.0.0.alpha0+ (x64)
Build ID: f2171af6ce3516598d9f8bac8294025a21a5b1a2
CPU threads: 4; OS: Windows 6.3 Build 9600; UI render: Skia/Raster; VCL: win
Locale: nl-NL (nl_NL); UI: en-US
Calc: CL
Comment 1 V Stuart Foote 2021-01-17 15:43:34 UTC
Confused, are you upset about the "reveal" triangles on Tool Bars (TB), or that there is a mix of split button behavior--some split buttons may apply a default action, others will simply display a list of related actions, a dialog, or a GUI widget?

This is all core LibreOffice core GUI and UX.

I find no fault with the mix of behaviors--they are self documenting, and they serve to compress related groups of TB controls onto a single button control indicated by the reveal button. Allowing function while reducing the count of exposed controls.

The "reveal" triangle on button actions is no different than an ellipsis "..." appended to a menu entry showing its action launches a dialog.

WFM and NAB.
Comment 2 Telesto 2021-01-17 16:06:30 UTC
Created attachment 168954 [details]
Screenshot

(In reply to V Stuart Foote from comment #1)
> upset 
Well.. kind of overstating it.. only suddenly noticing it because different bug related to the anchoring button in tabbed mode. A button which I find confusing as such because I know there are '3 options' previously "4 options" possible. And button click mostly opening dialog or enabling/disabling something

> Confused
Sorry

>there is a mix of split button behavior--some split buttons may apply a
> default action, others will simply display a list of related actions, a
> dialog, or a GUI widget?

Yes

>This is all core LibreOffice core GUI and UX

yes

> serve to compress related groups of TB controls onto a single button control indicated by the reveal button. Allowing function while reducing the count of exposed controls.

Obviously.. Except seeing not point for an 'split button' if it's only about a single control. If I click the arrow next to the table button or the button itself for table picker in the toolbar.. it does exactly the same..
So the 'reveal' button doesn't reveal anything additional. 

The 'reveal' button might communicate being a drop down kind of tool. But not being fan of using the same thing for different purposes.

FWIW: not saying this 'broken'; and good/bad being (also) matter of taste. 
Another reason was I used an application today which didn't have the 'split button' but did a drop down anyhow. I didn't find it to disturbing. (see screenshot)

Bit obviously 'a detail'. Somewhere in the area between 'optimizing' and 'over optimizing'. Current approach isn't obviously wrong or horrible. I'm having my  "green thinking hat" on (Bono). Without me implying to be (exceptional) creative; more a copycat 

You could argue "ain't broke don't fix".
Comment 3 Heiko Tietze 2021-01-20 11:11:25 UTC
(In reply to V Stuart Foote from comment #1)
> This is all core LibreOffice core GUI and UX.

(In reply to Telesto from comment #2)
> You could argue "ain't broke don't fix".

This, and bug 139696 and bug 139695