Bug 27522 - only the equal sign is accepted as beginning of a formula
Summary: only the equal sign is accepted as beginning of a formula
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: calligrasheets
Classification: Applications
Component: general (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 1.1
Platform: Compiled Sources Linux
: NOR wishlist
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Laurent Montel
URL:
Keywords:
: 58159 (view as bug list)
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2001-06-21 12:33 UTC by Ferdinand Gassauer
Modified: 2025-06-05 13:36 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

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Latest Commit:
Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:


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Description Ferdinand Gassauer 2001-06-21 11:59:59 UTC
(*** This bug was imported into bugs.kde.org ***)

Package:           kspread
Version:           1.1 (beta3) (using KDE 2.2.0 \6alpha2)
Severity:          wishlist
Installed from:    compiled sources
Compiler:          gcc version 2.95.2 19991024 (release)
OS:                Linux (i686) release 2.2.19
OS/Compiler notes: 

Hi!

The _equal_ key on german keyboards is a composed key (Shift+0).
This means that it is not possible to control kspread easily with _one_ hand on the keypad and cursor keys.

Suggestion:
allow + and - as start characters for formulas
(entering _'+111_ would then enter the string +111 into the cell as it does already now).
cu
ferdinand

(Submitted via bugs.kde.org)
(Called from KBugReport dialog)
Comment 1 Philipp Müller 2002-04-05 17:34:48 UTC
Hello Ferdinand

I don't think that we can use '+' or '-" as they are used for positv or=20
negativ information. Okay the '+' maybe unnecessary but at the end I don=
't=20
think it makes sense but there is only one way to input -10.

I would like to close this wish as it doesn't really make sense (yes I'm=
=20
working on german keyboard too but I don't know anybody in may company who=
=20
is entering formulas with one hand or has complained about the only=20
possibility "=3D" in MS EXCEL).

Do you think we can close this?

Philipp
Comment 2 Ferdinand Gassauer 2002-04-05 19:10:57 UTC
On Friday 05 April 2002 19:34 Philipp M=FCller wrote:
> Hello Ferdinand
>
> I don't think that we can use '+' or '-" as they are used for positv or
> negativ information. Okay the '+' maybe unnecessary but at the end I
> don't think it makes sense but there is only one way to input -10.
>
> I would like to close this wish as it doesn't really make sense (yes I'm
> working on german keyboard too but I don't know anybody in may company w=
ho
> is entering formulas with one hand or has complained about the only
> possibility "=3D" in MS EXCEL).
Wouldn't help much ;-)
I usualy put my left hand fingers near the number on the paper where I read=
=20
the information. And as long as only ONE number has to be entered in one ce=
ll=20
there is no problem.
>

Hm! Couldn't we do better than EXCEL ?
Entering
-10 shows "-10"
10 shows "10"
+10 shows "10"
all numbers

Entering
-10+4 shows a _string_ "-10+4" but IMHO the number "-6" is more reasonable=
=20
with a formula "=3D-10+4" and I rarely want to see "-10+4" which could be=
=20
achieved by entering "'-10+4".
I actualy use this regulary to remember how I came up with a number.
May be make it configurable?
IMHO it shouldn't be to difficult to automagicaly add a "=3D" in front if a=
=20
operator is entered after a number/cell.

But what is more important:
Entering + UP-Arrow in A2 gives "+" in A2 and moves the cursor to A1 but i=
t=20
should give "+A1" in A2 (as in EXCEL).

> Do you think we can close this?
May be we try to get more opinions on this.
I cc it to kde-devel
>
> Philipp
--=20
cu
ferdinand
http://www.goesing.at
Comment 3 Ferdinand Gassauer 2002-04-05 19:15:38 UTC
On Friday 05 April 2002 19:34 Philipp M=FCller wrote:
> Hello Ferdinand
>
> I don't think that we can use '+' or '-" as they are used for positv or
> negativ information. Okay the '+' maybe unnecessary but at the end I
> don't think it makes sense but there is only one way to input -10.
>
> I would like to close this wish as it doesn't really make sense (yes I'm
> working on german keyboard too but I don't know anybody in may company w=
ho
> is entering formulas with one hand or has complained about the only
> possibility "=3D" in MS EXCEL).
Wouldn't help much ;-)
But actualy this is what EXCEL does
Entering
+3+4 gives 7 with a formula "=3D3+4"
--=20
cu
ferdinand
http://www.goesing.at
Comment 4 Ferdinand Gassauer 2003-05-06 21:00:32 UTC
*** Bug 58159 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Comment 5 David Faure 2004-07-16 18:59:56 UTC
On Friday 16 July 2004 18:42, ameo wrote:
> Hi Marc, Ariya,
> 
> Thanks for your interest in this. At work I have a French QWERTZ
> keyboard 
huh? French is AZERTY :)
QWERTZ is German.

> FWIW, I notice OpenOffice Calc also requires an "equals" sign.
Hmm, this means we might have to convert '+' to '=' automagically....
Either at saving time or right after typing, not sure which one would result
in less surprise.

Comment 6 Ferdinand Gassauer 2004-07-16 20:24:51 UTC
I just checked it again
Excel (97) allows to start a formula with "+" or "-" and automatically adds a "=" when leaving the cell (hitting enter or any of the arrows keys) and displaying the result instead of the formula.

it also checks the syntax
+5+6z is recognized as error and suggests to change it to 
+5+z6 which would be a valid formula
cu
ferdinand