Linking a table cell from Calc to a cell in Writer

[tookiebrookie]

Initial thread: [Solved] Linking a table cell from Writer to a cell in Calc
How can I do the converse?

I have proscribed forms to fill out for mileage reimbursement. Here's what I did:
1. Used Writer to make a likeness of the form.
2. Spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to create and work with Base for my data entry to output to the form and gave up.
3. Data entry was simple using the much more familiar spreadsheet. Learned how to do lookups making it automated and reducing the actual amount of data entry.
4. Read how to change some of the text areas in my Write form into fields and how to insert links to my spreadsheet database.
5. Got stuck and put it away for a few months. Decided to try an OO Forum.

So, here is my data sitting in a row in Calc for each travel I need to be reimbursed for. How do I get a row to output to a new Write-based form to print it and submit it?

I would prefer to keep my spreadsheet as a running record that I just add to for each trip, then select a row or rows to output to the form. I want to just save the same spreadsheet after every data entry session, rather than make up a new one for entry and output each time.

If readers can't give me the instructions, can someone please direct me to the location or person who can help me?

Incalculable thanks!

[Hagar Delest]

Hi and welcome.

As the other thread had been solved and your question is the opposite, I've split the thread. Have you followed the advices in the other thread? They explain what you want, don't they?

[Villeroy]

1) You can drag anything from the datasource window (hit F4) into any document of type Writer or Calc. No matter if the underlying tables are saved in spreadsheets, text or in a "real database".

2) You can drag many objects from the database's grid view of a table or query into Writer or Calc. (OK, this gets copied rather than linked)

3) Within a database you can create reports (again, the underlying data format does not matter). Reports are Writer documents, embedded in the Base container. There is an add-on by Sun to create very professional reports: http://extensions.services.openoffice.o ... portdesign

4a) Without any database you can Copy&PasteSpecial (Ctrl+Shift+V) as DDE link from Calc into Writer (works even with csv).
4b) same with Drag&Drop plus Ctrl+Shift

5) Without any database your can create DDE fields in Writer (application=soffice, file: C:\path/file.ods, category: some_range_name_or_address_string)

6) There might be even more options ... Unforturnately the navigator (F5) handles only one component ("application") at a time.

[vsoler]

Hello Villeroy,

I have been unable to use Drag&Drop plus Ctrl+Shift for linking Calc to Writer, as you suggested in your post, paragraph 4B)

Could you please give a little more details on this?

Also, your paragraph 5 I have been unable to understand what it mean.

Thanks for your help

Vicente Soler

[Villeroy]

Select a cell range in a *stored* Calc document and drag it over into a Writer window with Ctrl+Shift pressed.
This will create a DDE link. Hit Ctrl+F2, go to tab "Variables" and watch the DDE link which may look like "soffice unnamed1 Sheet1.A1:B8". Notice that I tested with an unsaved document titled "unnamed1", which will fail after closing one of the involved documents. Normally there should be the document's path rather than "unnamed1". "Sheet1.A1:B8" could also be the name of a named cell or range.

You could also create this type of link manually in the Writer dialog.

Edit: The drag&drop method works with single cells when you highlight a single cell before dragging it (Ctrl+Click or Shift+<arrow_and_back> The drag&drop method seems to fail with formula cells (?). Well, use the other method and put something like "soffice C:\Path\Name.ods SheetX.A1" into the box.

[vsoler]

Hello Villeroy again,

I've tested what's in your post, and even though I can see that something (a link?) has been created, it is not what I expected at all.

In the writer document a rectangle, that is a kind of one single cell table is created, but inside, I do not see the number that I've put in my Calc document, namely the number 66.

When I click Ctrl-F2, under variables I can see the link, but it remains "unnamed" even though I saved my 2 documents (Calc & Writer ones)

Could you please try to explain what's going on to me?

Thank you for your kindness

[Villeroy]

Could you please try to explain what's going on to me?

No, I can't. As you see in the added part of my last message, I encounter some difficulties with the drag&drop method. Simply use the Writer dialog.

[Ilan]

Did you find a solution to your problem?
I just had a very similar problem which I solved entirely within Calc.
I too wanted to bring the information to Writer and failed because of Hebrew characters.
In the end I found that Calc itself can do the whole job by making another sheet just for printing purposes.
In that case it is much easier to bring across the information and, for me, Hebrew is no problem.

If you are still struggling I can give you some help.

Ilan

[vsoler]

No, I haven't solved my problem yet.

My conclusion, after trying what is proposed, is that there is a bug in Openoffice, and that we cannot do anything about it.

I still need to link Calc with Writer.

Regards

[Villeroy]

What's wrong with the dialog method instead of drag&drop?
Ctrl+F2, tab:Variables
DDE field
Name: Some Name,
DDE statement: soffice C:\path\file.ods SheetX.A1
[Insert]
[Close]

[vsoler]

Hello Villeroy,

It works now. However, if insert rows or columns before the linked range, the linked range does not move accordingly down or to the right.

My question is: is there a way to link a defined name?

Thanks for your help

[bhinton]

I think I was dealing with this same problem. How I have solved so far is to create a spreadsheet in calc with all the calculations I need. If you want to keep a historic record, I suppose you could create a spreadsheet with a number of extra rows. I then simply highlighted and copied the spreadsheet and used the "Paste Special" command to insert in a writer document, using the DDE choice. The writer document created a table that did not look like my spreadsheet. However, after I formated the table in Writer with lines, shading, font, justification, etc. it remained that way. So as soon as I update the Calc document, the Writer document is updated with formatting in tact.

Hope this helps.