Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Im new to OpenOffice, and so far it seems like a great alternative to MSoffice except for one minor problem. No matter what document Im working on in writer, whether Im creating editing or simply viewing, the auto format goes nuts. Even if I just open a document to review it, it will start ading bullet points and numbers all over the place, and its really quite frustrating. I have tried turning off auto format by going into the format menu and un-ticking all the auto format options, but that hasnt done anything, it still seems to do whatever it wants to my documents. Ive looked at the AutoCorrect options too an that doesnt explain it either.
Can someone tell me how to stop this please?
Thanks

Ive looked at the AutoCorrect options too an that doesnt explain it either.
Can someone tell me how to stop this please?

I don't know what options you are referrin to. But the right place to disable the automatic functions
is the Tools > AutoCorrect > Options menu

-f

Thats what I meant when I said auto correct options, Ive looke there and cant see anything that would cause the behaviour Im seeing.
Thanks anyway

That sounds like a weird behaviour. Have you tried reinstalling?

-f

Take a look at Format -> AutoFormat; see if While typing is checked.

Is this reformatting of the document happening "live" (changing) while you are paging through the document, or is the document just badly reformatted when you open it?

The formatting is happening live, constantly, Ive unchecked the Autoformat>while typing that was the first thing I did, but it hasnt had much effect.
Maybe a reinstall is the way to go.
Thanks for the help anyway

On the AutoCorrect options tab there is a column called [M]. Anything ON in that column will be carried out on existing text when a doc is opened. If you don't save before closing then it will be done again next time you open the same doc. Is that what is going on here?

huw wrote:On the AutoCorrect options tab there is a column called [M]. Anything ON in that column will be carried out on existing text when a doc is opened. If you don't save before closing then it will be done again next time you open the same doc. Is that what is going on here?

That's not supposed to happen automatically. The options under [M] are supposed to be applied only when Format > Autoformat > Apply is selected.

Bill wrote:

huw wrote:On the AutoCorrect options tab there is a column called [M]. Anything ON in that column will be carried out on existing text when a doc is opened. If you don't save before closing then it will be done again next time you open the same doc. Is that what is going on here?

That's not supposed to happen automatically. The options under [M] are supposed to be applied only when Format > Autoformat > Apply is selected.

Oops, you're right, good point. Although I was sure there is a setting somewhere to automatically AutoFormat a doc as soon as it is opened. I can't find it now if there is. Is there?

Wow! One simple act!

Format>>>AutoFormat>>>While Typing>>> Now Unchecked

And the most annoying thing actually stopped!!!

Thank you floris v !!!!!!!!!!

I found "Format>>>AutoFormat>>>While Typing>>> Unchecked" solves the Autoformat problem, but unfortunately disables Spell-checking while typing.

Enhancement Request
Separate Options required for Auto-format and Auto Spellcheck (or if they are there, please advise how to find them).
Therefore a new Option could be created in OpenOffice writer to manage whether Auto-Spellcheck is required - although this would be better placed globally so that is effects all sub-systems, not just Writer.
Existing Option (Format>>>AutoFormat>>>While Typing) should apply only to Autoformat Paragraph.

AutoSpellCheck and AutoCorrect ARE separate options. The AutoSpellCheck option is at Tools > Options Language Settings > Writing Aids > Options. The AutoCorrect options are at Tools > AutoCorrect Options.

All this has nothing to do with "formatting". It is about content.
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