Description: We use Calc for transcribing weather data from hand-written Navy logs for a citizen science project. We load a scanned page of the log as a background image and enter the data into Calc. We then generate the data in an XML format and move to the the next log page image. 1. On the Log Page sheet, We have several "buttons" near the top of Column A to run several macros, like getting an image, verifying data, etc. I have several white lines that radiate horizontally across the image. These lines correspond with the tops and bottoms of some or all of the buttons. 2. Normally, cell C4 is at the top of the Calc window, so the buttons are not visible. When I first use the spreadsheet, or when I go to the Log Page sheet from another sheet, and when I first use a macro such as CopyDown or UpAndOver, there is a brief flash when the buttons appear and disappear. They don't do this until the spreadsheet is re-opened or I move to another sheet in the spreadsheet and back again. e> There are two buttons on the Setup sheet. These are used to verify the transcriber's directories. Sometimes these buttons go black, and they stay black until I replace them with buttons from another spreadsheet. The size of the spreadsheet increases by the size of the background image. $ ls -l Om*ods -rw-r--rw-+ 1 Michael None 13326285 Nov 3 00:28 Omaha_1872-1888.ods $ ls -l Om*ods -rw-r--rw-+ 1 Michael None 26204915 Nov 3 15:30 Omaha_1872-1888.ods 4. On a couple of spreadsheets, the buttons turn a mottled grey color. I am unable to replace these buttons with ones from other spreadsheets. I replace the buttons, save and re-open the spreadsheet, and the buttons are mottled grey. I can delete the Setup Page and replace with with one from another spreadsheet, and the buttons are still mottled grey after the spreadsheet is saved and re-opened. One of our moderators can get this spreadsheet and replace the buttons, and they will remain OK for other users. However, if I open her fixed copy, the buttons go mottled grey for me when I save and re-open it. I had an old version of Calc on a PC downstairs: 5.3.3. This behavior did not occur with this version of Calc. I cannot remember which version I was using when I first noticed these problems. I look at the Setup sheet only every few days or so, so I am not sure when the buttons on that sheet go black. They go for weeks with the orange color and then one day, when I check, they will be black. These behaviors are not seen by some or all of our other transcribers. The lines and the occasional flash of the buttons on the Log Page sheet, as well as the black buttons on the Setup Sheet are irritating. I can easily replace the black buttons. The mottled grey buttons on the Setup sheet on one of our 28 spreadsheets is annoying, but I can get one of our moderators to fix them for other users. I have included three spreadsheets, a four second video file, Shortcut keys, an image file and a Readme file to illustrate the behaviors I see. They are in a compressed file. In case this compressed file is too large (44 Mb) to attach, here is a link to it. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u6N8X9Jav_NQJUiMUClk-gFXVWyDYToM/view?usp=share_link Steps to Reproduce: 1. For the white lines: load an image. 2. For the flash of buttons, go to another sheet, Run Alt-J (GoToAMStart), enter something, and then run Alt-[ (CopyDOwn) 3. I don't know what I've done to cause the buttons to go black, or mottled grey. Actual Results: I get white lines and a flash of buttons on the Log Page sheet and discolored buttons on the Setup sheet. Expected Results: The buttons on the Setup page should not go mottled grey or black. There should be no white lines or a flash of buttons on the Log Page. Reproducible: Always User Profile Reset: No Additional Info: Version: 7.3.6.2 (x64) / LibreOffice Community Build ID: c28ca90fd6e1a19e189fc16c05f8f8924961e12e CPU threads: 2; OS: Windows 10.0 Build 19044; UI render: default; VCL: win Locale: en-CA (en_CA); UI: en-US Calc: threaded Device name AZC Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU 2127U @ 1.90GHz 1.90 GHz Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.89 GB usable) Device ID 43C005FD-F30B-4F98-A0E5-17357AF05DBA Product ID 00326-10000-00000-AA422 System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display Edition Windows 10 Home Version 21H2 Installed on 2020-11-26 OS build 19044.2130 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4180.0
Please test in safe mode, Menu/Help/Restart in Safe Mode
I started in Safe Mode, but I can't run macros, so I can't load a new image to see if there are the white lines, and I can't run a CopyDown macro to see if the buttons flash. The buttons on the Setup Page are black. If I open the Kearsarge spreadsheet, the buttons on the Setup sheet are mottled grey and they remain the same if I replace them with good buttons, save and re-open the spreadsheet.
[Automated Action] NeedInfo-To-Unconfirmed
Hi Michael, thanks for reporting. First of all, that's a very creative and interesting application of LO Calc! I tried opening the ODS files you provided, but I could not reproduce the bug. I made the visible area of the sheet start at cell C4 and entered values as you did in the video, but I could not see the flashy buttons. I'm on Linux using the kf5 backend. I'd say this might be related to the Windows backend. You can try disabling Skia and see if it has an effect. For that, go to Tools - Options - View and disable "Use Skia"
Skia was turned off, Hardware acceleration was turned on. I turned it off, but I still get the flash of buttons. One of our transcribers uses Linux, and he doesn't have these problems, although I'm not sure about the cloudy grey button on Kearsarge's Setup sheet. After using a web-based data entry system, we transcribers rebelled. One of us thought of using a system like this, and I did a test with Excel. I found it was faster, easier to use, more flexible and our transcriptions were more accurate. One of other transcribers chose LibreCalc as the best system to use, and he built the current system. Over the past three years, a few of us have added even more flexibility to the system. The scientists were so impressed with our data entry system, that they gave full approval for us to use it. They also relaxed the need for three transcribers to do each log, so now only one is needed. One researcher is going to write a major paper on this method so it can be used in other, similar projects. It certainly tests LibreCalc to the limit, and it was met every challenge so far!
BTW just now I noticed you're still on the LO 7.3.x branch. Maybe you could run some tests using the latest LO 7.4.x branch to see if the issue is resolved. We're currently on LO 7.4.2. https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download-libreoffice/
I'll try it later today. I have an appointment downtown in a few minutes.
OK I installed 7.4. I removed the grey buttons on Kearsarge, and I replaced them with good buttons from Burton Island. Save, close, re-open. Buttons come up as grey. I opened Omaha. I went to the WR_Data sheet, copied the URL in the top corner. (I found you have to do something on the sheet for it to take.) I then went to the Log Page sheet, entered a couple of numbers in the weather area and did a CopyDown. No brief flash of buttons! I did this test several times, and no flash. This is encouraging. I am stopping for my afternoon tea, and then I will start transcribing with my working copy of Omaha. I will do occasional checks to test for flashing buttons. I will also keep an eye out to see if the buttons on the Setup sheet turn black. It happens randomly, and it often takes a few days to show up. White lines. I did a few goes to WR_data, copy a cell, go to the log page, enter a number, do CopyDown and then a Ctrl-Home. I found no flash of buttons when I did the CopyDown however, the situation with the white lines radiating from the buttons were: 1. None 2. All of them 3. Two of them radiating from the top of the Adjust Angle button, and from the bottom of the <> button just below it. The white lines extended just part way across the image. I just went to look at the spreadsheet again, changing nothing, and now all the white lines are there. When I use the scroll bars, the lines change. Sometimes I get some extending down from random columns, sometimes some of the horizontal lines disappear. I did a Alt-End to put the PM_Start cell at the top of the screen, and then I did a Ctrl-Home. No white lines. Here are two images. (I'm not sure what kind of links are best. These should do.) https://i.imgur.com/BpDTDfa.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4d6vAsx.jpg
I tried another experiment. I deleted the "good" buttons on the Setup sheet for Burton Island. I replaced the with the cloudy grey buttons from Kearsarge. I saved, closed and re-opened Burton Island. The cloudy buttons were there. I then replaced them with good buttons from another spreadsheet. Then, I saved, closed and re-opened the spreadsheet. The "good" buttons were still there, as we would expect. If I replace the cloudy buttons on Kearsarge with good ones, and do the save, close and re-open, then Kearsarge re-opens with the cloudy grey buttons.
I just opened my working version of Omaha. My first CopyDown generated the usual flash of buttons. So, version 7.4 gives the same behavior as 7.3.6, for white lines, cloudy button on Kearsarge and the flash of hidden buttons. It may take a few days until the black buttons on Omaha's Setup sheet show up. I've never been able to figure out what causes that. Version: 7.4.2.3 (x64) / LibreOffice Community Build ID: 382eef1f22670f7f4118c8c2dd222ec7ad009daf CPU threads: 2; OS: Windows 10.0 Build 19044; UI render: default; VCL: win Locale: en-CA (en_CA); UI: en-US Calc: threaded
One of our transcribers gets the flashing buttons. Like me, he's on Version 7.4. I also got the flashing buttons on Version 7.3. I did not get the flashing buttons with version 5.3. One of our transcribers did not get the flashing buttons. This is her setup: I have Version: 7.1.6.2 (x64) / LibreOffice Community Build ID: 0e133318fcee89abacd6a7d077e292f1145735c3 CPU threads: 8; OS: Windows 10.0 Build 19043; UI render: Skia/Raster; VCL: win Locale: en-GB (en_US); UI: en-GB Calc: CL
Created attachment 183510 [details] This four second video shows how the buttons, which are not visible, flash briefly. It is important to note that the buttons flash only once after the spreadsheet is first opened, or after a cell on a different sheet, such as the Setup sheet, is active and you return to the Log Page sheet. The buttons flash after a macro such as CopyDown, UpAndOver or GoToPMStart are activated. You can then enter data and use the various macros and you won't see that brief flash again. However, if you activate a cell on the Setup sheet again, you will get the button flash on the Log Page sheet when you run one of those macros. It does not happen if you are moving between this and another spreadsheet.
One last test. On the Log Page sheet, cell C4 is the first visible cell. The buttons are not visible. You activate a cell on another sheet. You return to the Log Page. If you press the 7 key and then Alt-1, you get a button flash. You won't get anymore flashes until you activate a cell in another sheet, return to the Log Page sheet and do a similar set of key strokes. If, however, you activate a cell in another sheet, return to the Log Page sheet, and then press 7, press Enter, and then Alt-1, there is no flash. The quick flash of buttons happens only the first time Alt-1 is used before a data entry is completed by pressing the Enter key. 7, Enter, 7, Enter, 7, Enter, 7 CopyDown gives a flash. 7, Enter, 7, Enter, 7, Enter, 7, Enter, CopyDown does not give a flash. I use 7 as an example of a data entry, and CopyDown (Alt-1) as an example of a macro. Several other macros give the same results: CopyRestOfColumn (Alt-3), GoToPMStart (Alt-End), UpAndOver (Alt-UpArrow), GoToLocation (Alt-K).
Our transcriber on Version: 7.1.6.2 (x64) / LibreOffice Community wasn't using the macro to complete a data entry. When she did so, she got the flash of buttons. So the flash of buttons occurs with 7.61. 7.63 and 7.64, with the Windows OS.
I tested by doing fill downs in the Log Page sheet in all the three files. No flashing or white lines observed. Version: 7.6.0.0.alpha0+ (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community Build ID: 4f7e8f0d819383a6953ccbb53f704d2265577a2f CPU threads: 2; OS: Windows 10.0 Build 22621; UI render: Skia/Raster; VCL: win Locale: en-US (en_FI); UI: en-US Calc: threaded
Created attachment 185645 [details] Screen shot with scale 0.6
Created attachment 185646 [details] Screen shot with scale 0.9 The flashing buttons and white lines do NOT occur with a scale of 0.9 where the scale is set on the Setup page. The flashing buttons do occur with a scale of 0.6. I have a new PC with Windows 11 and a different graphics card than the system I had when I originally submitted the bug report. Edition Windows 11 Home Version 21H2 Installed on 2023-01-17 OS build 22000.1574 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22000.1574.0 Graphics card: Intel(R) HD Graphics 530