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Do Writer tables support math formulas?

asked 2015-10-28 03:30:20 +0200

mcfadyj gravatar image

updated 2016-12-02 08:35:43 +0200

floris v gravatar image

How do I do math calculations in Writer in a table. ie: in cell A3, I want the total of cell A1 plus A2. Same idea as in MS Excel.

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answered 2016-12-02 07:59:30 +0200

Prince gravatar image

Just as in Excel (or Calc), place the cursor at the intended cell (A3 in this case), then click Table > Formula (or just F2). Then you'll see the Formula bar. I think you know the rest.

If this is the right answer for you, please mark it as correct.

Btw, you title is missing a "?".

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We shouldn't conceal that text-tables (tables in Writer) only support a very limited set of means to compose formulae, and also a next to unusable formula editor.
This is obviously due to the "need" to be compatible with silly MS 'Word' which is a different "product" than 'Excel'. LibO which not is a "product" but real software might easily offer the complete power of 'Calc' in 'Writer' tables.
Fortunately you can insert a spreadsheet/view of into a 'Writer' document as an OLE object

Lupp gravatar imageLupp ( 2016-12-02 09:39:00 +0200 )edit

The help about formulae in text tables also is next to unusable.
Who can tell me how to use a conditional expression ("alternative", "IF-fumction") and where this is described? Calculated alternatives is one of the most basic features you need for calculations in tables.
The 'Writer' (4.0: 468 pages) guide doesn't tell anything useful about calculating in tables. Moreover it is misleading.

Lupp gravatar imageLupp ( 2016-12-02 10:16:40 +0200 )edit

Lupp, it's open source. If you think something isn't good enough, you're welcome to improve it.

Prince gravatar imagePrince ( 2016-12-05 06:50:22 +0200 )edit

@Prince: "Lupp, it's open source.... you're welcome to improve it."
I well know this statement. However, I wouldn't either confirm it to be relevant in this case or start a detailed discussion about it here. If you want to pull this to the private level, you can mail me via (you know...).
(I also know where to report bugs and feature requests. My name on is 'Wolfgang Jäger'.)

Lupp gravatar imageLupp ( 2016-12-05 11:57:14 +0200 )edit
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Asked: 2015-10-28 03:30:20 +0200

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Last updated: Dec 02 '16