I just want to ask if anyone know an extension that manages text clips (reusable fragments of text that one has to type frequently) in LibreOffice? I know about Autotext feature and I sometimes use it but it has several drawbacks. The major one is that the window of Autotext texts can not be docked to border of LibreOffice and one has to remember all the shortcuts to the pieces of text in Autotext. It is no problem if you have 10 or 20 of them, but it is a problem if there is more than hundred of them… It would be nice to see the list, sort or even search through them.
Now I use an external text clip manager, however, it is not optimal (e.g. some formatting is sometimes lost, can use it only in Windows). The Autotext feature is nice for starters but somehow it seems to lag behind the LibreOffice in terms of usability and features.
I would be gratefull for response.
I think a good way could be use Menu/Insert/document, so it can be organized with files in a folder, and depending of the file type used with formatted or plain text.
Hi
This is not the extension that you would like but it is still possible to dock the Insert toolbar. It allows you to browse autotexts list by category and insert them without knowing their shortcut.
Regards
Follow the steps below if you wish to add the Auto Text button to the Standard Toolbar.
Tools
Customise…
Tab/Toolbar
Toolbar/Standard
Add…
Catagory/Edit
Commands/Auto Text
Add
Close
Thank you very much. I appreciate your help. I didn’t know that adding the icon of Autotext to the toolbar gives a possibility to choose the text clip with a click of the little arrowhead.
However it is still at least one click too far. IMHO much better solution is something like dock with a list of text clips, e.g. something like in a EditPad Lite. In EPL one doesn’t need to move a hand from keyboard to the mouse - you can jump to the text clips dock (it is called there “clips collection”) with a single shortcut, then choose a clip with a cursor keys and Enter key and then continue typing. That’s it. And it is faster and far more productive than clicking with mouse through menu or aiming at the little arrowhead… I considered to move my typing work from LibreOffice to the EPL, however, I still need LO for things that are unavailable in EPL.
Thank you very much too. However, as I explain above, with your solution one has to clicks a lot… and have too many pieces of texts on the hardrive. The Autotext (or a text clips collection manager) is much more elegant and efficient tool if you have to use a lot of text clips (which are, in fact, very similar to the seperate document templates, but easier accessible).
Thanks again. I still have hope that somebody will have a time to improve Autotext or make an extension.
Hi yeatzeck
Just to mention ctrl+f3 (this can be changed) brings up the AutoText dialogue and text can be picked using the cursor…
Hi,
Yes, I know. But when AutoTex dialog is visible it is impossible to click in Writer text area. You have to choose an AutoText item or close the Autotext windows. If you want to enter another AutoText item somewhere else in the text, you have to open AutoText window again (and the default shortcut is… lets just say: not very ergonomic). I don’t know why it is for example not possible to dock AutoTex window to the border of the Writer - just like Styles and Formatting? It is quite strange.