Unable to save files?

[priyak]

My large .ods file has been refusing to let me save. When I input data and recalculate, the save icon is greyed out and I can't save the file even after making changes. I have to save-as the file every time, and if I forget to save-as at the end, the file does not save and I lose quite a lot of data.

Any ideas on what the problem is and how I can fix it? I'll be glad to provide more details as required.

[thomasjk]

Does the file say Read-only when you open it?

[priyak]

No, it doesn't. I've noticed that this happens only when I've made changes and clicked Recalculate.

[RoryOF]

Is Save As also greyed out? If not, as a temporary measure, navigate to a different directory and save it there.

[priyak]

No, Save As isn't greyed out, so that's what I'm doing right now.

[FallenAvatar]

If you want to save every time you close you can make a macro that will automatically save the document when you close it, but it has drawbacks such as if you made changes that you do NOT want to save you will have to remember to disable the macro. It is not the solution you are specifically looking for, but I do not know what is causing your problem. Have you tried resetting your profile?

If you want to go the macro route here is what you do. Go to Tools -> Macros -> Organize Dialogs -> Modules -> (Either edit an existing to add the macro or make a new one)

Put in the following:

Code: Select all

sub Save
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Save", "", 0, Array())


end sub

Save it and then go to Tools -> Customize -> Events -> Close -> Assign the macro

It will now automatically save the doc every time you close it.

[FallenAvatar]

I just remembered that you can assign a macro to the toolbar, so you can make a button to click that will save your document instead of doing it on "Event Close".

On the toolbar all the way to the right is a grey box with a down arrow. Click that. In the Dialog that oppens up click "ADD" and scroll all the way down to where your macros are located and add the macro to the toolbar...or you can add it to a menu if you prefer.

I have been playing around with my calc trying to get it to replicate what you are experiencing and have been unable to do so. Sorry, my area is not really trouble shooting programs, but in finding work-around solutions

[kingfisher]

It sounds as though the software is struggling to cope with the file. You could try changing the memory settings in Tools > Options > OO.o > Memory.

I doubt that will solve the problem. Is there any way you can trim the file, say, by using cell styles instead of cell by cell formatting or removing graphics?

You could file a bug report but you would have to attach the file and I don't know whether you can restrict access to it. There is a tutorial on the forum.

Another possible cause is a defective profile folder. You could try renaming the present folder so that OO creates a new one on re-starting. Make sure all OO processes (including quick starter) are closed first.

If there is a problem with the file, you could create a new file and, one by one, import sheets from the existing file. Insert > sheet from file.

[priyak]

Thanks very much kingfisher and FallenAvatar - I'll try those suggestions and get back to you on whether the situation is resolved

[priyak]

I studied the problem over yesterday and today, and I think the real problem is that the software doesn't see "Recalculate" as a change made to the file. So I can't save it after recalculation, because as far as it is concerned, there's nothing new TO save. This isn't a problem I face on any of my other ODS files. Is there any kind of setting that might suddenly make the Recalculate function not be recognised as a valid change to the file, maybe? It is a large file, but not that much larger than the others I operate.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[RoryOF]

The only suggestion I can make is that the Recalculate takes much longer than you think, and the file is locked out of some functions while that is happening. I'd suggest Recalculate, then go and have a cup of coffee and see is it OK when you return. OpenOffice can be surprisingly slow for some functions.

[kingfisher]

It's quite simple to activate the save function. One way is to enter a character in a cell then delete it. I have a couple of macros that have that result as a side effect but you don't want a macro just for that.

[priyak]

Thank you! I'll do that.