Bug: Image to background causes colour failure - Is this known?

English
#1

Defining Background Colors or Background Graphics (Help Page) States that a graphic can be set as a background, using the arrange command.

However, by doing this, the other cells using background colours then display the colours erratically.
Each time the worksheet is scrolled, the colours in random cells, will disappear.
The next time the worksheet is scrolled, different background colours disappear.

If the graphic is simply inserted, there is no problem.

I do understand that Calc is primarily for number crunching, but the feature is documented, so ideally it should function correctly.

It is useful for presenting a themed user interface.
A logo header might use a background style, that could be used to good effect, say, as background for table headings etc.

If it is not a known bug; how does one go about reporting it?

#2

Please upload an ODF (.ods) type sample file here.

#3

I don’t think that there is any need for a sample file, because I’ve found the buggy interaction.
With a high level of certainty, I can say that anyone can reproduce this bug.

It was the View - Value Highlighting wot done it!

I created a new spreadsheet, and background coloured some cells
Imported an image to a cell.
The image was then sent to background.

The difference, compared to the working spreadsheet, was that the image disappeared beneath the coloured cell.
On the working spreadsheet, the image replaced the colour.

This got me thinking.
Surely it can’t be a memory problem, or the fact that multiple background colours have been used.
So, what is different between the two spreadsheets?

Somehow, my brain had a moment of clarity, and I remembered that I had Value Highlighting switched on.
I switched it off on the working spreadsheet, and all the colours immediately functioned correctly
In the sample spreadsheet I switched it on, and the colours flipped into crazy mode.

Wow!
Such a relief.
I was fearful that my spreadsheet had somehow become corrupted.

So it’s still a bug, but it can probably be classified as ‘highly annoying’.

Annoying, because we use background colours to distinguish areas on a spread sheet.
We also use Value Highlighting to distinguish areas (cell contents) on a spread sheet.
Both are useful.

The solution, is to not load graphics, until the spreadsheet is fully complete (but for aesthetics).
This is anyway, likely best practice.

However; ‘in the future’, when updating the spreadsheet (with all the graphics in place); Value Highlighting will not be possible, as the crazy colour changes will send the developer crackers :crazy_face:

I’m thinking that it should be reported.
I don’t mind doing that.
Does anyone know the direct link to where it should be reported?
:slight_smile:

#4

Does anyone know the direct link to where it should be reported?

https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/

A well detailed bugreport usually needs a sample file.
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/QA/BugReport

2 Likes
#5

Here is a simple example uploaded.
BUG- Background colour fail when graphic sent to background AND Value Highlighting switched on.ods (80.0 KB)

To test this bug:
Assuming that Value Highlighting is ON (as uploaded) - simply scroll up and down, to see the random colour changes.

Try changing how far you scroll down - the key is to change the viewable area.
Scrolling further can produce different results, compared to just moving past the previous screen.

From time to time, you might see all the colours, and then see them all switch off.

Re Bugzilla Calc
I’ve looked through the entire list, and this bug is not listed.

Therefore, I would appreciate it, if some of you could spare the time to click:
File - New - Spreadsheet
Select A1, and drag the cursor to highlight a decent block of cells
Locate the ‘Paint Bucket’ icon (mine is between Font Colour & Left Alignment)
Click the icon ‘Down Arrow’ and select a random colour.
(the highlighted cells should now be coloured)

Click on a coloured cell, then choose menu - Insert - Image
The hard drive directory tree should pop up.
Locate and highlight an image file - click open

The image should be on top of the background colour.

With the image still selected
Go to, and click, Menu - Format - Arrange - To background

Check that the background coloured cells are stable, and coloured as expected, by scrolling the worksheet (multiple times) up and down.

Now go to, and click, Menu - View - Value Highlighting
Repeat the scrolling of the worksheet.

Are the colours stable, and as expected?
I presume that the colours are all over the shop - unstable.

LOL it takes longer to provide instructions than to do it :smile:
I reckon that the whole process will take around 3 minutes.

Please report back here your findings, stating the LO Calc version that you are running…
I’m running v7.2.5.2 (x64)

Given that everyone experiences the same bug, then I can report it, quoting multiple independent testing :wink:

#6

I can replicate the problem creating a file from scratch using the OP’s instructions. In my case cell background colors disappear, but no additional colors appear. The problem first occurs after selecting Value Highlighting. Normal behavior is restored after deselecting Value Highlighting

I can also replicate the problem using the uploaded file. It is more obvious and bizarre. The uploaded file does not “repair itself” completely even after deselecting Value Highlighting.
’
LO 7.3.1.3 on Ubuntu 20.

1 Like
#7

Thanks joshua4 for taking the time to carry out this test :slight_smile:
Your experience is particularly interesting vis a vis the uploaded file.

I wonder if this will be replicated within the community?
Let’s see how this plays out :wink:

#8

As with @joshua4 on my re-creation the background colours disappear with View > Value highlighting.

If I redraw the screen by scroll then some of the background colours show and disappear.

If I redraw the screen by zoom then the background colours remain hidden.

Turning off Value Highlighting restores the appearance on both.

Version: 7.3.1.3 (x64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: a69ca51ded25f3eefd52d7bf9a5fad8c90b87951
CPU threads: 8; OS: Windows 10.0 Build 22000; UI render: default; VCL: win
Locale: en-NZ (en_NZ); UI: en-GB
Calc: CL

1 Like
#9

Thanks for confirming that EarnestAl :slight_smile:

BUG Reported
BUG ID = 148252
Clicking the above link will take you to my entered report.
To follow the resolution progress: Scroll down beneath my report, to view developer messages (once the bug has been confirmed and allocated).

Thanks Zizi64 for your assistance :slight_smile:

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