Calc Guide chapter 7, formulas & functions

Hi.
I've uploaded chapter 7 to the Calc Drafts 4.0 folder here;
http://www.odfauthors.org/libreoffice/english/calc-guide/draft-lo4/chapter-7-formulas-and-functions/view

I have left a few comments in the chapter, one of which I need someone to answer.
It concerns a statement about Excel which I'm unable to verify as I have no access to Excel, at least not later than the Win95 version :slight_smile: .

Peter, I see you intend to continue with the remainder of Calc. I did chapter 8 for v3.4. The Pivot table had not fully morphed over from DataPilot at that time so I don't think this will make a good stating point for v4.0.
However, Martin Fox did the same chapter for v3.5, which was out when when we were doing the v3.4 docs and in that, Pivot table was fully functional. He put the chapter into the drafts 3.4 folder as there was no 3.5 folder.
I've had a look around ODF but I can't see it anywhere. Hopefully Jean may have access to a copy, as ODF has gone through some changes since the file was uploaded.
You can see his email to docs, dated 17 May 2012, on Nabble for reference. Searching 'Calc chapter 8' will find it.

Jean, if there's nothing else you want me to look at, I'll return to the Writer guide. I'll hang on for a few days, if I hear nothing then I will update my system to v4.1 and get started.

Regards
JohnS

John, thanks for your work on Chapter 7. Peter, perhaps you can follow
up on John's question as well as doing whatever else you intend with
that chapter? Of course, anyone else who can answer John's Excel
question is very welcome to do so!

Regarding Chapter 8 (Pivot Tables), AFAIK Martin Fox's v3.5 comments
were incorporated into the v3.4 chapter published in July 2012, after
being checked that they were valid for v3.4. I could, of course, be
misremembering. I'm looking through my backups to see if I can find a
copy of the file he edited. At this point, it's probably not all that
relevant, because of further changes in Calc itself.

John, we're not working on v4.0 docs any more, not even for Calc, so
please feel free to update your system to v4.1. IMO the most helpful
thing you can do right now -- if you're willing -- is to look at Calc
Appendix B and update it with the new functions (from v3.5, 3.6, 4.0,
4.1). The lists of new functions are readily available on the new
features pages of the LO website, but I have not looked yet to see
where to get the descriptions. Possibly the French team has already
done this and can help?

--Jean

Hello

I will be looking at all the chapters in numerical order. That way I get a better understanding of Calc works as I am no spreadsheet expert. I do operate Calc as I am checking the chapters to make sure the instructions match what happens on the screen. I do sometimes miss things, but will keep it in my mind about Excel. I do have MS Office for Mac and Windows 2011 version. Just means I have the reinstall onto my computers - not a problem.

Regards

Peter Schofield
psauthor@libreoffice.org

I have to use MSExcel at work. I could check what you are asking about.

Cheers

Shelagh

Hi Jean.
I will update to v4.1 then and make a start on Appendix B for Calc 4.1.

Thanks to all who have offered to check the guide's Excel statement for me.

Regards
JohnS

Have tested ceiling() and Floor() and in Excel niether accepts a third
argument. I would propose changing the wording to "if you want your
spreadsheet to be compatible for both Excel and Calc you should leave the
optional mode argument out of your formulas. Or words to that effect. Not
sure what the purpose of the -1 as the argument but Excel was not happy
with it at all.

Cheers
Shelagh

PS will be off air for about 3 weeks.

Thanks Shelagh.
I'll revisit the chapter and review what I have written.

Regards
JohnS

Hi
If I've understood you correctly, this chapter will not be published for v4.0 but will be further reviewed and then published as v4.1.
If this is the case then when I revisit it to incorporate Shelagh's comments I will need to add a Caution within the text. There is a bug I've found within the Function Wizard which crashes LO in v4.1, but not in v4.0. Bug 69440 for reference.
Alternatively, if Peter is doing the chapter for v4.1 then he will be able to do the Caution his own way from the bug report.
If you could let me know which way you want it done, I'll be fine to go with it.

Appendix B in progress.
Regards
JohnS

Hi
If I've understood you correctly, this chapter will not be published for
v4.0 but will be further reviewed and then published as v4.1.

That is the plan. Skip 4.0.

If this is the case then when I revisit it to incorporate Shelagh's comments
I will need to add a Caution within the text. There is a bug I've found
within the Function Wizard which crashes LO in v4.1, but not in v4.0. Bug
69440 for reference.

This bug is still there in 4.1.1?

--Jean

Hi Jean

Yes, the bug came to light as I worked on Appendix B using v4.1.1.2.
I posted it to Bugzilla after some research and it as been confirmed in v4.1.3.0. but not present in v4.0.5.

Regards
JohnS

Hi
I've incorporated Shelagh's information into the text and I've added a Caution about the Function Wizard bug.
The file's been updated on ODF.
Back to Appendix B.

Regards
JohnS

Hello

I will be getting to Chapter 7, but it will be sometime before I am there. The best way would be to upgrade the chapter to 4.1 and I will then do a final edit when it is ready so we get the same look and feel throughout the guide.

Regards

Peter Schofield
psauthor@libreoffice.org

Hello

Now back to the grindstone.

I will upgrade Chapter 7 to 4.1. That way all the chapters will have the same look and feel which makes for a more professional looking guide.

John, please send me all the info about the bug using my email address below.

Peter Schofield
psauthor@libreoffice.org

Hi Peter
Just check the bug report for full details, here;
https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=69440
This includes the resolution of the bug.

Regards
JohnS