Excessive spacing on Formula objects - Help needed

[Zeca]

Hi folks,

A while ago I was asking how to adequately use inline equations in LibreOffice. The problem is that the formula objects come with a left and right spacing/gap by default. That spacing makes it impossible to use these objects inline in a sentence that contains full-stops or commas (see the attached document Excessive_Formula_Spacing.odt ).

After a long time finding possible solutions, a user in this forum found a very simple and easy solution: just set the formula’s left and right Object→Wrap→Spacing to zero (How to use Math Variables amidst text in Writer?)

I then realized that to fix this problem, all it was necessary was to set the LibreOffice default value of the Object→Wrap→Spacing to zero. That is it! This simple fix would make the lives of everyone (esp. the beginner) a lot easier.

I then filed a bug in LO bugzilla explaining this issue. I got the following answer:

No, the current default spacing is reasonable for general input of formulas.
In line on a common base with a string of text is a special case that is simply
handled per formula object with the Wrap value as in comment 0 (or/and possibly
setting the formula’s internal spacing with edit Format → Spacing →
Category:Borders)

Setting different defaults is done by modifying the Frame style → Formula
where tighter left/right wrap can be set.
And within the Math editor the Format → Spacing → Category:Borders can be set
to take a new default to produce more appealing in line spacing. The two
becomes a per-user default for new formulas.

Imagine it would be possible to develop a new Frame style → FormulaInline
style to simplify what is currently a per-user customization.

=-ref-=

Reduce the space around in-line formulas in LibreOffice

How do I change the spacing around my formula? - Apache OpenOffice Wiki

I cannot respond to this message. That is why I am here asking for your help/opinion: I don’t understand how the current default spacing is reasonable for general input of formulas. What do you guys think? Is the default spacing that reasonble as to destroy the possibility of having out-of-the-box inline equations? Also is all this worth the hassle of having to develop a new to develop a new Frame style → FormulaInline? The solution to this big problem (for those many beginners working/studying physics/maths or engineering at least…) is so increadibly simple that hurts.

If you agree that the default value for formula spacing should be zero, let us know in the comments and if possible, raise the issue in bugzilla again by filling out the same bug. If you think the default spacing is good, let us know in the comments why as it would be nice to know why.

[rautamiekka]

You’re right, I agree, that change makes the text look consistent.

[anon87010807]

Please post a link to the bug report so we can view the discussion in full.

[Zeca]

https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=103816

[anon87010807]

You can simply start a new document, modify the Formula frame style to set the Spacing value to zero and save the document as the default template and you’re set. What’s the problem? Some users will want a space by default and others don’t want it. You can’t make everybody happy in this world, that’s why this kind of thing is configurable, so you can change it according to your wishes. I agree with V Stuart Foote’s reply: there’s no need for the developers to do this for you.

[Zeca]

You can simply start a new document, modify the Formula frame style to set the Spacing value to zero and save the document as the default template and you’re set. That is exactly the problem floris! If the point is to make the LO easy to use then this easy fix would make the use of inline equations right out-of-the-box. Otherwise the user has to do the procedure you have described and that might not be obvious for someone starting or even familiar with LO. In my humble opinion, anyway!

[anon87010807]

LibreOffice is complex software with a learning curve. There is no easy way to mastery of it, you have to work for it. If the space would be set to zero by default, you’d get people who don’t know they can increase it because they never look for the possibility. Just look at all threads about autocorrect and you will see the point: if most of the weirder options there weren’t on by default, nobody would know they exist.

[Zeca]

If the space would be set to zero by default, you’d get people who don’t know they can increase it because they never look for the possibility The opposite is also true: If the space would not be set to zero by default, you’d get people who don’t know they can decrease it because they never look for the possibility***. Which is exactly what happened to me and to other people. Please, check the thread How to use Math Variables amidst text in Writer?

[anon87010807]

As I said, you can’t make all people happy. The thing is: you want to get your work done. You now have a way to do that. Be happy with that. I’ve discussed several in my view serious bugs in OO over the years, with very little effect. Don’t start a fight against windmills.

On a side note, this “forum” is not visited a lot. If you want much support for your views, whether I agree with them or not, you may want to look for it elsewhere.

[Zeca]

Sorry, I really cannot resist asking… Which ‘forums’ would you suggest that are more popular than this one? Please note this stuff is rather technical, hence why I posted it here.