[Solved] Changing default spacing (Borders) around formula

[martenjan]

The spacing for a formula consists of spacing around the math object, and spacing (borders) inside the math object. Changing this is documented at
http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wik ... formula%3F

Now, I want to remove the superfluous spacing from numerous formulae in a writer document. It seems to me that I'll have to adjust the spacing(borders) of all these formulae one by one by hand, but I have the nagging feeling I could be able to set some style parameter somewhere which avoids this chore. Am I overlooking something? But if I have to, is it possible to `paint' these properties to reduce this click-fest?

[floris v]

Which superfluous spacing? According to that Wiki, you can reduce the external spacing for all formulas in one fell swoop, but it's very likely that if you want to adjust the internal spacing, you will have to do it for each formula (but when you have set the new spacing settings, maybe you only have to double click each formula for the new settings to take effect).

[martenjan]

Both. I did reduce the external spacing with one fell swoop, and the internal spacing for all new formulae. But I did not know how to apply this automatically for the formulae I already have. By the way, with zero borders,

Code: Select all

K u = f

results in a math box that clips part of the f. I worked around this by using

Code: Select all

K u = f {}

. I think it is a bug, but this requires me to check whether the formula is rendered correctly after applying the zero border.

A double click does not apply the new settings, so the documentation is correct in saying that it only applies to new formulae.

[floris v]

I suppose that a macro can do it - select each formula, get the formula code from it, delete the formula, insert a new one with the saved formula code. You can ask for help in the Macro and API forum

[acknak]

I believe someone (Hagar, IIRC) has already posted just such a macro. Try a search.

Hmm... maybe it was a macro to change all the formula font sizes. Sorry, I'm not 100% sure.

[floris v]

I believe someone (Hagar, IIRC) has already posted just such a macro. Try a search.

Hmm... maybe it was a macro to change all the formula font sizes. Sorry, I'm not 100% sure.

That wouldn't matter. A macro with a body to traverse through all formulas requiring only editing the action to be taken would be great.

It's my lucky day. Found the macro. This one is it.

[Hagar Delest]

Hmm... maybe it was a macro to change all the formula font sizes. Sorry, I'm not 100% sure.

Yes, someone has made a macro here but for the font.

[floris v]

Instead of the font specs you have to set the LeftMargin, Rightmargin, TopMargin and BottomMargin (Wiki)

Code: Select all

Sub mathmargins
   dim embeddedObjects, elementNames, i, element
   
   embeddedObjects = ThisComponent.getEmbeddedObjects()
   elementNames = embeddedObjects.getElementNames()
   for i=0 to UBOUND(elementNames)
      element = embeddedObjects.getByName(elementNames(i)).Model
      if (element.supportsService("com.sun.star.formula.FormulaProperties")) then
         element.TopMargin = 30 : sets to 0.30 mm
         element.BottomMargin = 30
         element.LeftMargin = 30 
         element.RightMargin = 30
      endif
   next i
   ThisComponent.reformat()   
End Sub

Edited after debugging

[martenjan]

This looks promising. After insertion of rem to correct the syntax error in the line with TopMargin, the macro runs as intended (although I used zero margins instead of 30). Thanks!

Code: Select all

Sub MathMargin
dim embeddedObjects, elementNames, i, element
   
   embeddedObjects = ThisComponent.getEmbeddedObjects()
   elementNames = embeddedObjects.getElementNames()
   for i=0 to UBOUND(elementNames)
      element = embeddedObjects.getByName(elementNames(i)).Model
      if (element.supportsService("com.sun.star.formula.FormulaProperties")) then
         element.TopMargin = 30 : rem sets to 0.30 mm
         element.BottomMargin = 30
         element.LeftMargin = 30
         element.RightMargin = 30
      endif
   next i
   ThisComponent.reformat()   
End Sub

[martenjan]

To preserve this for the next fellow running into this, I added this to http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wik ... formula%3F. With that I consider my question solved.