Ubuntu
openoffice.org package

New and irritating Open Office feature

Asked by Ramnath

I am using Open Office 2.4.0 which was installed with Kubuntu 8.04.
when using Spreadsheet program, I notice open office is treating Cell content deletion in a new way not seen before.
When I try to delete the data in any cell, a box pops up titled Delete Contents
I am then given options whether to delete All, Texts, Numbers and similarly a total of 8 options. I then have to press Enter again to delete the data. This is a feature which just adds to my work when editing a spreadsheet.
Is there any way to turn this off?

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douglas_smith (hamsterzombie-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#1

Backspace will just delete your entry, but not cell properties. The Delete key will nuke the cell properties.
It's been that way since I can recall in OOo.

I still catch myself doing that, too, once in awhile.

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Ramnath (ntninfo) said : 		#2

I compared the current version 2.4 with my older Suse 10.3 install with Open Office 2.3.0.
In the older version 2.3.0, hitting the Delete key results in data being deleted in one step.
In the new Open Office version 2.4 which came with Kubuntu 8.04, hitting Delete results in a Pop up Box asking me to select Delete ALL, Text, etc.
I have to then hit Delete again to delete the data. This is an extra step which can result in a lot of extra work for those working on large worksheets. What I am looking for is a way to turn off this feature/

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Ramnath (ntninfo) said : 		#3

I found a way to customize and get around this problem.
In Calc, go to Customize Toolbars --> Keyboard.

Here I have customized the Delete Key to do a clean Cut. To customize the Delete Key, go to Edit and select Cut in the Functions box
In the Shortcuts, select Delete and click on Modify.
Now the Delete key will delete all data in the cell without asking for options.
In case you don´t want to customize, the same result can be achieved by hitting the Cut Key in the main toolbar