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openoffice.org package

OpenOffice Writer keeps deleting leading spaces

Asked by John Belton

I now have a problem with OpenOffice Writer that wasn't there before, every time I get to the end of a line and press return any leading "white spaces" at the beginning of the line are removed, this has only just started to happen. This makes any indentation in a document disappear, it is only possible to re-instate it line by line. This means writing any documents that contain computer code is difficult to write where different levels of indentation are required for clarity. This has only just started to happen, if this problem persists I (and a lot of other students) will have to look for an alternative Office Package. I have been using OpenOffice for over two years and not had this problem before.

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Ubuntu openoffice.org Edit question
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Tony Pursell
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John Belton (jbelton1950) said : 		#1

I have found another custom layout that seems to conflict with the Code format that may be causing the problem which was "imported" with another file (that may have had MS Word origins), but if this is the case it may be a warning to others.
This occurred to me after I reinstalled the OpenOffice Writer program.
John

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Chris Watts (chris-candvwatts) said : 		#2

With regards to the "leading spaces" problem, under Format > Autocorrect > Autocorrect Options and the Options tab, there are options to delete spaces and tabs at end and start of line. In theory, clearing these boxes should stop it happening. I say "in theory" because my version of Writer doesn't delete them whether the boxes are ticked or not, but who knows, it may work for you.

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Best Tony Pursell (ajpursell) said : 		#3

Hi John

I do not get any problem like this, even with the autocorrect options to remove space at start and end of lines are set. It does not matter if I insert tabs, or spaces, or use the indent icons in the tool bar, any white space at the start of lines is preserved when I press return at end of line.

Apparently, these autocorrect options to remove space at start and end of lines are only active if the 'Apply Styles' option is also selected. So it would seem that you have to disable the 'Apply Styles' option.

Open up Tools > Autocorrect Options.. then click on the Help button to see an explanation of what these options mean.

Tony

PS If this answers your question, please mark it as Solved

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John Belton (jbelton1950) said : 		#4

Thanks Tony Pursell, that solved my question.