Description: LibreOffice Writer supports database fields and mail merge (serial printing) using data sources such as Calc spreadsheets or registered databases. LibreOffice Draw, however, does not support database fields nor any kind of mail merge / serial duplication of pages based on external data. This feature request is to add support in LibreOffice Draw for: • inserting database fields (e.g. text and image fields coming from Calc / CSV / registered databases) • duplicating pages or objects based on records (similar to Writer mail merge) • exporting or printing multi-page documents generated from a data source --- Why Writer is not suitable for this use case: While LibreOffice Writer already supports database fields and mail merge, it is not well suited for visually rich or typographic layouts. Writer is based on a flowing text model and page-oriented document structure, which makes it difficult to: • precisely position objects • design cards, badges, posters, or certificates • create visually consistent layouts • control alignment and spacing reliably • work with complex graphics and backgrounds As a result, using Writer for data-driven graphic layouts is cumbersome and error-prone. --- Why Draw is the correct tool for this feature: LibreOffice Draw is designed for free-form, object-based and visually precise layouts. It provides: • absolute positioning of objects • vector graphics and shapes • layers and alignment tools • better control over images and backgrounds • a natural workflow for typographic and graphic design Therefore, Draw is the appropriate module for creating data-driven graphic documents such as cards, flashcards, badges, posters, certificates and game components. Steps to Reproduce: 1.Open LibreOffice Draw 2.Try to insert database fields 3.Try to perform a mail merge or serial duplication 4.Observe that these features are not available Actual Results: LibreOffice Draw does not support database fields or any kind of mail merge / serial duplication. Expected Results: LibreOffice Draw should support database fields and mail merge / serial duplication similarly to LibreOffice Writer. Reproducible: Always User Profile Reset: No Additional Info: Writer already supports database fields and mail merge. Adding similar functionality to Draw would greatly improve data-driven graphic workflows.
An old chestnut. *** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of bug 53548 ***