Feature: Copy portion of array formula result

[joshua4]

Before making a feature request on Bugzilla, I wanted to run this by AskLO.

There seems to be a long-standing acceptance that LibreOffice Calc simply ignores a request to copy a selected range of cells if that range includes part, but not all, of the result of an array formula.

Excel has no similar limitation. Selecting a portion of an array formula result allows for copying as normal, whether pasting as formula or as values-only. [It is true that copying cells from an array formula with relative references may result in some less-than-obvious references if pasting as formula.]

Does anyone have a solution for Calc? I tried the “Copy Visible Only” extension just to see. It doesn’t help. I do a lot of small data set manipulation, and being able to copy part of an array result would be great. Yes, it is possible to create another range using an array formula addressing the subrange of the result desired, then copying all of that range. Example: if B4:D8 is the desired subrange, use {=B4:D8} somewhere else on the sheet then copy that result. But that’s a long way to go if you ask me.

On Bugzilla I found
114559
which might be related and
146972
which mentions the current no-copy behavior.

Everyone sees a system differently, but I’ve always thought that silently ignoring a user request for something as fundamental as copying a selected region is something of a gaping hole in functionality for a spreadsheet program.

[TJList]

Hi Joshua4,

I’m new to LibreOffice. recently (September 2025). I’m on the path to abandon winDoze, and I a replacement for MS Office.

I just stumbled into this same issue where I can’t copy contents from a subset of an array formula, and it is almost a deal-breaker.

I made a very crude workaround.
Example: Sheet1 contains array formulas with the first result in cell B7…B35.

1. Copy Sheet1 to a new Sheet2
2. Remove the array formula from Sheet2
3. In Sheet2.B7, enter “=$Sheet1.B7”
4. Copy that formula to fill the desired range

The new dummy worksheet will update as the array formula does. I can select any subset from that array to copy.

I’m going to Bugzilla now.

[koyotak]

@TJList

where I can’t copy contents

CALC is a formula-based program where internal references are made using an /=/-operator, not with [cmd]+[c] & [cmd]+[v] keyboard inputs! This simply requires a change in thinking and a different approach.

000_LO-CALC_Matrix structure_054851.ods (10.7 KB)
Using this =-operator, I referenced the value in [E7] from the matrix range {D6:E9} to [G7], which is very easy.

I admit that the applications possible in CALC require both mathematical and computer programming skills and presuppose expert knowledge that can only be acquired through extensive study.

[joshua4]

Yes. @TJList is correct. You can even just copy the entire Sheet1 and then paste it as values only into a new sheet, then copy bits and pieces. My point is that that is a long way to go to copy the top three items from an array result to paste into an email, an operation that is trivial in, say, Excel. What @koyotak is saying is also correct, which begs the question: if you can reference cells in an array result separately (which obviously you can), shouldn’t it be relatively straightforward to have the internals reference the selection within an array and copy those values? Even if formatting were lost, it would be better than a silent fail. [But, I’m not a C++ developer…]

[karolus]

@TJList

Example: Sheet1 contains array formulas with the first result in cell B7…B35.

1. Copy Sheet1 to a new Sheet2
2. Remove the array formula from Sheet2
3. In Sheet2.B7, enter “=$Sheet1.B7”
4. Copy that formula to fill the desired range

there is no need for 1. and 2. just start with 3. and 4.