Bug 492680

Summary:	can't copy calculation result as expected
Product:	[Applications] kcalc	Reporter:	S. Christian Collins <s_chriscollins>
Component:	general	Assignee:	Gabriel Barrantes <gabriel.barrantes.dev>
Status:	CONFIRMED ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	erbenton, gabriel.barrantes.dev, gustavo.vaz, urozhaevaoo
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	24.08.0
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Neon
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments:	video showing the bug

Description S. Christian Collins 2024-09-05 14:43:43 UTC

SUMMARY
Disclaimer: I don't know the correct terminology for the calculator's display area, since I can't reference the manual due to bug #492142. So, I will refer to the upper, small number display as the "formula view", and the lower, larger number display as the "result view".
---
After running a calculation in KCalc and hitting Enter, the number disappears from the result display and only appears in the formula view. Ctrl+C results in an empty clipboard, and attempting to copy the contents of the formula view via right click → Copy fails also.

This is a huge usability fail, IMO, as many people are used to hitting the Enter key after a calculation (especially us number pad users). A common workflow is:

1. Make a calculation in KCalc, then hit enter.
2. Ctrl+C to copy the calculation result.
3. Ctrl+V in destination app to paste calculation result.

And this workflow fails currently.

This bug is really two problems in one:

1. I find it odd that the result view clears after hitting enter. IMO, it should still show the calculated result, especially since this is the view that gets copied to the clipboard. If the KCalc devs insist that the result view should clear after hitting enter, then at least have Ctrl-C copy the formula view to the clipboard if the result view is empty.
2. Highlighting the contents of the formula view, right-click → Copy appears to do nothing.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. In KCalc, enter a calculation (e.g., "24*24") and hit enter.

OBSERVED RESULT
The calculated value disappears from the result view, only appearing in the formula view, and cannot be copied.

EXPECTED RESULT
The calculated value should still appear in the result view (as it is the result of your calculation) and be copyable.

WORKAROUND
As a workaround, I am using GNOME Calculator, which functions as expected.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: KDE neon 6.0 User Edition
KDE Plasma Version: 6.1.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.5.0
Qt Version: 6.7.0

Comment 1 Gabriel Barrantes 2024-09-05 15:41:11 UTC

> 1. I find it odd that the result view clears after hitting enter. IMO, it
> should still show the calculated result, especially since this is the view
> that gets copied to the clipboard. If the KCalc devs insist that the result
> view should clear after hitting enter, then at least have Ctrl-C copy the
> formula view to the clipboard if the result view is empty.

This is actually a good suggestion, I will include it as part of the fix for 488995.

> 2. Highlighting the contents of the formula view, right-click → Copy appears
> to do nothing.

This should be working fine, can you double check it?, I got the copied value as expected.

Comment 2 S. Christian Collins 2024-09-05 16:00:35 UTC

(In reply to Gabriel Barrantes from comment #1)
> > 2. Highlighting the contents of the formula view, right-click → Copy appears
> > to do nothing.
> 
> This should be working fine, can you double check it?, I got the copied
> value as expected.

Well, you can see what happens to me in the video I attached to the bug report. It just doesn't copy anything to the clipboard when I do it.

Comment 3 Gabriel Barrantes 2024-09-05 17:50:40 UTC

(In reply to S. Christian Collins from comment #2)
> (In reply to Gabriel Barrantes from comment #1)
> > > 2. Highlighting the contents of the formula view, right-click → Copy appears
> > > to do nothing.
> > 
> > This should be working fine, can you double check it?, I got the copied
> > value as expected.
> 
> Well, you can see what happens to me in the video I attached to the bug
> report. It just doesn't copy anything to the clipboard when I do it.

I think the attachment is not there. Can't find it.

Comment 4 S. Christian Collins 2024-09-05 21:44:48 UTC

Created attachment 173370 [details]
video showing the bug

Hmm, I thought I had attached this to the original bug report. Sorry about that!

Comment 5 Gabriel Barrantes 2024-09-05 22:08:54 UTC

(In reply to S. Christian Collins from comment #4)
> Created attachment 173370 [details]
> video showing the bug
> 
> Hmm, I thought I had attached this to the original bug report. Sorry about
> that!

Oh, yeah you are right, I forgot that if you don't focus the input display it won't copy (will copy from the result that is empty) .
 
To fix this completely I was working on 491345 too, so this never happens, the only issue is that the keyboard shortcuts will go away (for example s for sin, t for tan and so on) but seems that must be done either way.

Comment 6 John Kizer 2025-01-28 05:21:11 UTC

*** Bug 499111 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 7 Gabriel Barrantes 2025-06-25 23:18:45 UTC

*** Bug 502596 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 8 gusta-vaz 2025-07-04 01:42:01 UTC

I made a MR draft for this bug: https://invent.kde.org/utilities/kcalc/-/merge_requests/187