Re: [libreoffice-users] Template confusion - 6.3.4.2 on Ubuntu

On 2/20/20 10:19 PM, John Jason Jordan wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Feb 2020 15:51:57 -0800
> John Jason Jordan <johnxj@gmx.com> dijo:
>
> > I have been using LO, and previously OO, since ~2002, and I currently
> > have 6.3.4.2 on Xubuntu 18.04, up to date. This version was installed
> > with the PPA supplied by LO.
> >
> > Needing to figure out my numerous templates I searched for *.ott and
> > came up with files scattered all over. So my first question is, where
> > is the preferred location so I can corral them all in the same place?
> >
> > And then I have a problem with the default Writer template
> > 'Default.ott,' of which there is only one I practically never use
> > anything but Writer, and when I launch Writer it comes up with a new,
> > blank document based on the default template. This is as it should be,
> > but there is something in the default template that I need to change -
> > the settings for the First Line Indent style. It defaults to adding
> > seven points between paragraphs, but I must always change that to -0-,
> > in order to comply with university and publishing style guidelines. And
> > no, I do not want a special template for this; I just want to change
> > the settings for the default template.
> >
> > I launched Writer, then closed the new, blank document and selected the
> > Default template for editing. Imagine my surprise when the setting for
> > First Line Indent showed -0- points for additional spacing between
> > paragraphs. Yet when I open a new document based on the default
> > template the setting for First Line Indent is always an additional
> > seven points between paragraphs.
> >
> > What is going on here?
> I found part of the problem. For some reason LO Writer was not using
> the Default.ott file for the default template. I found how to force it
> to use this template, but I never figure out which template it was
> using for the default. But at least now a new document comes up with
> the right settings for the First Line Indent style.
>
> But so far I have failed to figure out where the default folder for
> templates is. I'd really like to tidy things up.
John,

Did you look at
Tools > LibreOffice > Paths > Templates

My Slackware Linux uses the Open Desktop standard and has a Templates 
directory in my home directory. That is where I place my templates and 
set the LO/AOO Template path to it. Use a semicolon ";" to separate the 
existing path from the new path when editing the above template path in 
LO/AOO. I think the templates are searched in the path order, so both 
the original and your templates should be in the selection dialog after 
this is done.

I have found the LO and AOO template system to be a bit of a mystery to 
me. Luckily, I don't have to mess with it much. I managed to get it to 
work for me, but there are still some strangenesses about it - such as 
the "version" suffix placed on the template file. This version does not 
appear in the template list dialog, but it is shown in the directory 
filename where it is located. One must use a specific process to modify 
a template. It is not as simple as just opening it to edit as a regular 
document. See File > Templates.

I also seem to remember something special about the "default" template - 
that it is actually hardwired into the code and cannot be changed. One 
must create a fresh document using the "default" template as a base, 
change that document and save it as a template and then make it the 
"default" template. LO and AOO do this differently. In LO,  do:

File > Templates > Manage Templates

Right-click on the template you wish to make the new default, then 
select "Set As Default" in the popup.
Caveat: I have done this successfully in AOO, but not in LO yet. But it 
should work. Maybe someone else can clarify this procedure for LO, 
especially if I am incorrect.

HTH.

Girvin



--
To unsubscribe e-mail to: users+unsubscribe@global.libreoffice.org
Problems? https://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/
Posting guidelines + more: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette
List archive: https://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/
Privacy Policy: https://www.documentfoundation.org/privacy