Bug 41817 - Adjust columns proportionally option is not retained
Summary: Adjust columns proportionally option is not retained
Status: RESOLVED INVALID
Alias: None
Product: LibreOffice
Classification: Unclassified
Component: Writer (show other bugs)
Version:
(earliest affected)
3.4.3 release
Hardware: x86-64 (AMD64) All
: medium normal
Assignee: Not Assigned
URL:
Whiteboard:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2011-10-15 10:46 UTC by Allan Jacobs
Modified: 2011-10-19 18:18 UTC (History)
1 user (show)

See Also:
Crash report or crash signature:


Attachments
Input file. (8.90 KB, application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text)
2011-10-18 21:49 UTC, Allan Jacobs
Details

Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.
Description Allan Jacobs 2011-10-15 10:46:32 UTC
File->New->Text Document
Save As
Navigate to a file system location and enter a file name
ODF Text Document (.odt)
Save
Insert->Table
Name: Table 1
Columns: 2
Rows: 2
Heading, Repeat heading, Border checked
OK
Click in Table 1, giving it the focus
Table->Table properties
Table tab
Alignment: Centered
Width: 5.0"
OK
Click in Table 1, giving it the focus
Table->Table properties
Columns tab
Adjust columns proportionally checked
OK
Click in Table 1, giving it the focus
Table->Table properties
Columns tab

The "Adjust columns proportionally" checkbox will be unchecked.
Comment 1 Rainer Bielefeld Retired 2011-10-16 04:51:43 UTC
I doubt that that check should survive <ok>

@Allan Jacobs:
Please attach a sample document instead of long lists how to create it.

Please use numbered items for your step by step instructions what will ease references.

Please
- add information 
  -- and why do you believe it's unexpected (cite Help or Documentation!)
Comment 2 Allan Jacobs 2011-10-18 21:49:22 UTC
Created attachment 52508 [details]
Input file.
Comment 3 Allan Jacobs 2011-10-18 23:11:47 UTC
Ranier Bielefeld is correct.  The help dialogs do not promise that the settings will be preserved from dialog session to dialog session.  They only promise that choices of column size will affect table width (set on the Table tab).

This bug report has led to the discovery of some bad documentation.

Three cases, examined in turn.  In each, the Table tab was used to set the table width to 6.03" with a left spacing of 0.45".  The table was centered.

Case 1.  Adapt table width and Adjust columns proportionally both off

Whenever a column size is changed, another column size is automatically adjusted at the same time.  The result is a table with three columns sized 2.03", 2.00", and 2.00".

Case 2. Adapt table width set on.

Suppose the table width starts off at 6.03" with left spacing 0.45", the table is centered, the "Adapt table width" checkbox is checked, and the column widths of three columns are set in turn to 1.03", 2.00", and 2.00".  The result is a 5.03" table with three columns sized 1.03", 2.00", and 2.00".

Case 3. Adapt table width and Adjust columns proportionally both on

Whenever a column size is changed, another column size is automatically adjusted at the same time.  The resulting table width, left spacing, and column sizes depend on the initial column sizes and on the order in which the columns are changed.

Conclusion:

The Help description for "Adapt table width" option reads.  "Maintains the current width of the table when you change the width of the column."  This is 100% wrong.

The Help description for "Adjust columns proportionally" reads "Resizes the table width in relation to the column width that you enter."  This is more or less true.  The operation of the system when "Adjust columns proportionally" is set probably requires a page or two of description.

Having run the experiment, I can see why Ranier Bielefeld says "he doubts that check should survive."

@Ranier Bielefeld:
Do you want this bug closed and another bug opened for the documentation?
Comment 4 Rainer Bielefeld Retired 2011-10-18 23:36:59 UTC
@Allan Jacobs:
I did not check all details, but I think your results match with observations I am used to see.

I believe we should use the opportunity to improve Help and Documentation. It would be great if you could contribute Headings of Help items and documentation and Text suggestions how description could be more clear.