Bug 166366 - Allow double-clicking on index entries not attached to words to access the Edit Index Entry window
Summary: Allow double-clicking on index entries not attached to words to access the Ed...
Status: NEW
Alias: None
Product: LibreOffice
Classification: Unclassified
Component: Writer (show other bugs)
Version:
(earliest affected)
7.5.0.3 release
Hardware: All All
: medium enhancement
Assignee: Not Assigned
URL:
Whiteboard:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2025-04-27 11:25 UTC by R. Green
Modified: 2025-12-30 10:17 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

See Also:
Crash report or crash signature:


Attachments
Screenshot showing shaded areas signifying index entries (28.92 KB, image/png)
2025-12-27 09:58 UTC, R. Green
Details
Writer file showing problem with index entries (32.09 KB, application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text)
2025-12-30 09:30 UTC, R. Green
Details

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Description R. Green 2025-04-27 11:25:44 UTC
Version: 24.8.5.2 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: fddf2685c70b461e7832239a0162a77216259f22
CPU threads: 2; OS: Linux 5.15; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: en-GB (en_GB.UTF-8); UI: en-GB
Calc: threaded

AFAICS, in the version of Writer I am using, you can only access the "Edit Index Entry" window by placing the cursor exactly on an index mark in the text, then selecting EDIT > Refernce > Index entry.

The first problem is that the user has to HOVER the cursor exactly over the index entty field – this is only indicated by a brief popup, which disappears as soon as you click on the location.

It is not immediately obvious (particularly to the inexperienced user) that you now have to go to EDIT > REFERENCE to access the desired edit window.

Accessing the Edit index entry window could and should be made easier and quicker.

SUGGESTION

Allow the user to view the Edit index entry window by double-clicking the index entry field – or use some other obvious action (Ctrl + click etc.)
Comment 1 m_a_riosv 2025-04-27 14:11:30 UTC
You can use the navigator on the side to select and edit an indeX.
Comment 2 R. Green 2025-05-05 10:24:37 UTC
Unfortunately there's a bug with the navigator in Linux. Still, I think to make editing easier by being able to access the window more directly.
Comment 3 Tasneem 2025-05-16 17:52:28 UTC
Thank you for reporting the bug. I can not reproduce the bug in

Version: 25.2.3.2 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: bbb074479178df812d175f709636b368952c2ce3
CPU threads: 12; OS: Windows 11 X86_64 (10.0 build 26100); UI render: Skia/Vulkan; VCL: win
Locale: en-US (en_US); UI: en-US
Calc: threaded
Comment 4 Buovjaga 2025-12-26 13:35:09 UTC
Double-clicking the entry works fine for me. Do you still see the issue in 25.8?

(In reply to R. Green from comment #2)
> Unfortunately there's a bug with the navigator in Linux.

What is this bug? Or is it still present?

Arch Linux 64-bit
Version: 26.8.0.0.alpha0+ (X86_64)
Build ID: 640a35801612123fa503fa72e8732cfb7e75caca
CPU threads: 8; OS: Linux 6.18; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: fi-FI (fi_FI.UTF-8); UI: en-US
Calc: CL threaded
Built on 23 December 2025
Comment 5 R. Green 2025-12-27 09:58:10 UTC
Created attachment 204815 [details]
Screenshot showing shaded areas signifying index entries

Version: 25.8.4.2 (X86_64)
Build ID: 290daaa01b999472f0c7a3890eb6a550fd74c6df
CPU threads: 2; OS: Linux 5.15; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: en-GB (en_GB.UTF-8); UI: en-US
Calc: threaded

OK. There's still a problem. Basically double-clicking the start of the entry works fine where the shaded area encompasses the COMPLETE word. However it doesn't work at all where the shaded area is in front of the word.

For example, in the attached screenshot, double-clicking just before the word "Keston" works OK. But if you click any other shaded area there is no response.
Comment 6 Buovjaga 2025-12-27 16:02:15 UTC
(In reply to R. Green from comment #5)
> OK. There's still a problem. Basically double-clicking the start of the
> entry works fine where the shaded area encompasses the COMPLETE word.
> However it doesn't work at all where the shaded area is in front of the word.
> 
> For example, in the attached screenshot, double-clicking just before the
> word "Keston" works OK. But if you click any other shaded area there is no
> response.

Please give steps on how we can create such or attach an example file.
Comment 7 R. Green 2025-12-30 09:30:10 UTC
Created attachment 204860 [details]
Writer file showing problem with index entries

Version: 25.8.4.2 (X86_64)
Build ID: 290daaa01b999472f0c7a3890eb6a550fd74c6df
CPU threads: 2; OS: Linux 5.15; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: en-GB (en_GB.UTF-8); UI: en-US
Calc: threaded

1. Open the attached file
2. Double-click the start of the shaded entry "Keston". Note that an "Edit Index Entry" window always appears
3. Now, double-click any of the other shaded areas in front of words. Nothing happens.

Expected result: The edit window should ALWAYS open on double-clicking the front  of an index entry, whether the shaded area covers the whole expression OR just appears in front of it.
Comment 8 Buovjaga 2025-12-30 10:17:34 UTC
(In reply to m_a_riosv from comment #1)
> You can use the navigator on the side to select and edit an indeX.

Actually we can't access index *entries* via the Navigator, but luckily Jim is working on it right now in bug 164864! I will build with the patch and see how your document looks like.

Double-clicking entries to access the edit window was added in your bug 143158

Small note: when you succeed in opening the Edit Index Entry window, it has navigation buttons that allow you to access all the entries.