Bug 170429 - Writer mail merge outputs instead of text when using Calc cells with Spanish macro functions (e.g. ).
Summary: Writer mail merge outputs instead of text when using Calc cells with Spanish...
Status: UNCONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: LibreOffice
Classification: Unclassified
Component: LibreOffice (show other bugs)
Version:
(earliest affected)
25.2.7.2 release
Hardware: x86 (IA32) Windows (All)
: medium normal
Assignee: Not Assigned
URL:
Whiteboard:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2026-01-22 04:14 UTC by cafeplazay
Modified: 2026-01-22 12:06 UTC (History)
1 user (show)

See Also:
Crash report or crash signature:


Attachments
Sample calc file with inner options (11.53 KB, application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet)
2026-01-22 12:06 UTC, m_a_riosv
Details

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Description cafeplazay 2026-01-22 04:14:08 UTC
Title: Writer mail merge shows  instead of text when Calc cells use Spanish macro functions
Environment:
• 	LibreOffice (Spanish language version)
• 	Operating system: [insert your OS, e.g. Windows 10 / Linux distro]
• 	Calc document with custom macro function  (Spanish localized function names)
Description:
When using LibreOffice in Spanish, we rely on localized functions such as  in Calc to convert numeric values into text strings (e.g., “Ciento veinte pesos 00/100 M.N.”). The function works correctly inside Calc: the cell displays the expected text.
However, when this column is used as a field in Writer’s mail merge, the output is always . Writer does not display the text string, even though Calc shows it correctly.
Steps to Reproduce:
1. 	In Calc (Spanish version), create a column with the formula:

=NUMEROS_LETRAS(AB11;"peso";0;"centavos";"";"/100 M.N.";1) 

2. 	Confirm that Calc displays the correct text string in the cell.
3. 	Use this column as a field in Writer mail merge.
4. 	Run the merge.
Actual Result:
Writer outputs  instead of the text string.
Expected Result:
Writer should display the same text string that Calc shows in the cell.
Workarounds Tried:
• 	Copying values manually into another column (works, but breaks automation).
• 	Formatting the target column as text before inserting formulas.
• 	Using , ,  to force text conversion.
• 	Registering the Calc sheet as a Base data source.
• 	Writing a macro to copy values into a “plain text” column before merge.
All of these are partial or manual workarounds. None provide a clean automated solution.
Impact:
This prevents automated mail merge workflows when using localized macro functions in Calc. It forces manual intervention or custom macros, reducing reliability and usability.
Suggestion:
Writer should correctly interpret and display the visible string values from Calc cells, even when they are generated by localized macro functions. At minimum, documentation should clarify how to ensure macro outputs are exported as text for mail merge.
Comment 1 m_a_riosv 2026-01-22 12:06:26 UTC
Created attachment 205133 [details]
Sample calc file with inner options

There is no need for functions, there is possible to do it with cell's format
Look for 'NatNum12 modifier' in
https://help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/shared/01/05020301.html?&DbPAR=CALC&System=WIN


Please attach sample file(s), reduce the size as much as possible without private information, and paste in the answer the information in Menu/Help/About LibreOffice, there is a copy icon.

Please paste here the information on Menu/Help/About LibreOffice (There is an icon to copy)