Re: [GSoC] Enhanced database ranges, some clarification needed.

Hey again,

Thanks for the reply, it really helps to know and discuss the task before
putting in a proposal. Sorry for the quick and dirty solution, well thats
what came to my mind right away. :P. So here is what I gather so far:

*Alternating colors in database ranges "**very similar to the Format as
Table":
*

   - Unlike MSExcel, LO has no support for Table entities. When 'Format as
   Table' is done on a bunch of data in excel, the selected data is now
   available as a 'Table' entity, having it's own specialized attributes like
   row headers, total row etc and it's syntax (check
this<http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/excel-help/using-structured-references-with-excel-tables-HA010155686.aspx>).

   - Is the alternating coloring task just about coloring the cells or are
   we looking at implementing the features that 'Format as Table' brings i.e,
   the support for a Table entity in LO?

*New reference syntax in formula expressions:
*

   - Currently I can enable the column label by selecting Data->Define
   Database Range ---> click "More" and tick the column headers checkbox.
   - We can address the entire range only currently thus =SUM(col_label) is
   valid and supported in LO, however addressing an individual cell or a range
   of cells within the range using col_label is not supported, implementing
   this is what the second part is about.
   - Later we could try to figure an appropriate syntax, it would be better
   to consult the devs and UX guys for that.

*Demonstrating some competency in the areas relevant to the project:*

   - I tried searching for bugs involving the mentioned areas, they seem
   hard to come by. Most of those involving ScDBData are more about .xls and
   open document incompatibilities.
   - Perhaps you could point me to a bug or throw some keywords at me which
   would lead me to it.
   - Meanwhile, I have found this
bug<https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=53920>,
   it seems to be a little off our relevant area though.

Please excuse the redundancy in the email I wanted to be sure about what is
expected in this task. I live in the UTC+5:30 timezone. I will start with
working on the finer details for the second task of 'new reference syntax'
since the idea is very clear to me. I will get back and bug you some more,
thanks for the help.

Akash Shetye

(she1991)