When a chart is crated in Calc (or inserted on any other component) it alwais defaults to a bar chart. Maybe this is the most used chart, but it isn't my case, and I'm not able to change it. So, how to reproduce this bug. 1) Try to change the default type of chart, to something different than "bar chart". Actual result: It isnt possible Expected: On "Tools -> Options -> Charts", there could be another option for changing the default chart type besides "Default colors"
We already have too many options and it is just one click to change the chart type. I don't think it makes sense to add another option here.
I guess it doesn't make sense when if somebody occasionally makes a chart. But the situation is different when when you have to make just one kind of chart, many (many) of them, different than the default. I accept that there could be more imperative bugs to attend. But I really disagree to the argument "there are many options". There aren't many options for *charts*. In fact, the only thing that are changeable are color. Charts are configurable when they are already inserted, but it isn't possible to change the default. Not only type, but font used, size, thickness and colors of every line. Maybe you like the default, but I don't. End every time I make a chart, I have to change one by one. Yes, I use templates, but they are not enough, because every time a new case of work appear and the old templates are not useful.
I would like to draw attention to the AskLibO entry http://ask.libreoffice.org/en/question/8346/set-default-formatting-for-calc-charts/?answer=17921#post-id-17921 especially the contribution of Phorious gives also information of related bug reports. Here is part of his answer copied Also, I have already filled some chart related bugs: 39052, 58038, 58260, 62540 (related to 62924 reported by ROSt52), 64884. If you know related bug reports that could be dups, please, mark them. I also would like to mention here https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=62925
Created attachment 89673 [details] Dialog showing chart type selection under v3304 and v4132. (In reply to comment #0) > When a chart is crated in Calc (or inserted on any other component) it alwais > defaults to a bar chart. > 1) Try to change the default type of chart, to something different than "bar chart". For clarity, the default selection is a column (rather than bar) chart, but I understand what you mean. Refer attached screenshots taken under Ubuntu 10.04 running v3.3.0.4 and v4.1.3.2. It has always been this way in LO. (From comment #1) > We already have too many options and it is just one click to change the > chart type. I don't think it makes sense to add another option here. (From comment #2) > I accept that there could be more imperative bugs to attend. But I really > disagree to the argument "there are many options". There aren't many options > for *charts*. I tend to agree with Markus in comment #1. While there may not be a lot of options for charts, I saw a statistic (a grep of the cgit repository, which unfortunately I can no longer find) that shows there are now over 2300 options in LO. Developers are naturally reluctant to add to that number unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Some things are better addressed via other means, like styles ... (In reply to comment #3) > I also would like to mention here > https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=62925 I think this is a better solution and one that would eventually replace the option proposed here.
As per comment #4, Version set to Inherited From OOo. Severity set to enhancement. Unable to confirm though for the reasons indicated.
I agree that styles for charts are a better option in the long therm (I had already filled the bug 62540 also, then it was marked as dup of 62925). Nevertheless I also think it will take much more effort to implement, than being able to select the default chart type. I understand also that LibO has already many options, but that's because it can behave as 5(+2) applications at the same time: word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, vector graphic app, database, +math equation editor and charts. How many software has the LibO capabilities? With such a wide range of fields, I think its natural that you will end with a lot of options. I don't know really how many options are too many for an app like LibO, though if that's the case *maybe* the problem is that's not balanced.
Valid enhancement request. Updating summary for clarity. (In reply to comment #3) > I also would like to mention here > https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=62925 I agree -- implementation of Bug 62925 - "FORMATTING: enhancement: please add "chart styles" to the styles of Calc" might be a reasonable alternative to fixing this bug. Bug status: NEW
Adding self to CC if not already on
In my case, the reason to fill this bug is to be able to insert directly the chart I need most frequently (99.9%): scatter, instead of having to go through the wizard. However, the solution of bug 90459 which would add commands for inserting charts directly could solve this issue. I suggest to close this bug if 90459 is fixed.
I think the simplest thing to do would be to add a checkbox in the chart wizard labelled something like 'default to this chart type', as putting the checkbox in the tools dialog wont get it noticed by most users.
I'm very much in favour of this, and of bug 62925, although my interpretation does not see the features as replacements for each other: Bug 62925 calls for a system to save/load and apply styles to charts, which contain formatting for all graphical elements, font sizes etc. This request would determine the chart type, if a user inserts a chart (.i.e. set a default, not a style template). There are two distinctions to make here: 1: Chart type vs. formatting: Chart type refers to bar charts vs. x/y charts (which I use almost exclusively...) vs pie charts etc.. Formatting refers to the choice of fonts, font sizes, line colours and thicknesses, plot symbols and colours and so on. Two graphs should be able to have the same formatting but different chart types. The chart type is chosen based on what kind of data to show, and which aspects need to be communicated. The formatting is chosen based on layout and style choices, to fit into the document a chart is meant for. 2: Defaults vs. style/formatting templates: Defaults determine what a user sees when they generate a chart without making any further for the formatting. I think it makes sense to have defaults user-editable, and to some extend they already are, e.g. you can edit the default colour palette for plots). Style/formatting templates allow a user to change the formatting (not necessarily the type) of chart after the fact. This can be extremely useful when the default style doesn't fit the users's needs, or when the several charts need to be prepared for a particular publication and need to be made visually coherent (same font, line widths, etc.), and comply with the output medium's style (slide templates, journal paper style guidelines, book layout ...). Formatting templates could be a great timesaver for the same reason that paragraph/heading styles in Writer are such a blessing: If I need to change the font size on all my headings I don't have to edit all my headings by hand. ==> My preference is for this request to be implemented as a user-definable set of defaults for charts. Starting with chart type, but including other formatting choices (line strengths and colours, choice of grid lines ... etc. If/when bug 62925 is implemented, it that choice can be saved as a template, and the implementation becomes selecting the default chart template