File|Recent Documents can no longer be accessed via keystrokes

[asavage]

Is it just me?
I had to reinstall my OS last month, so this is a new installation, and I do not know how old my previous LibreOffice install was.

I am unable to use keystrokes to access the Recent Documents list. Previously, [Alt+F],U would display the most recently accessed documents, but there is now only a 0.5 second window in which the ‘U’ can be pressed, before the File|New sub-menu appears, disabling the ability to keystroke-select the Recent Documents option on the File menu.

Ubuntu 24.04
LibreOffice 24.2.6.2 (X86_64)/LibreOffice Community

[asavage]

[fpy]

@asavage

0.5 second

so where is the ‘U’ going ?

[mikekaganski]

I don’t reproduce the problem.
Even though the submenu is indeed shown, this sequence works as expected:

1. Press and hold Alt
2. Press and release F
3. Release Alt
4. Press and release U

A can wait as long as needed between e.g. step 3 and 4.
On the other hand, if I skip step 3, step 4 doesn’t work.
This works the same e.g. in Gnumeric with GTK, where their Format menu starting with an item with submenu.

But of course, could be specific to Ubuntu version (mine is 22.04.5 LTS), or e.g. use of Wayland (none here), or maybe even LO version.

Version: 24.8.1.2 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: 480(Build:2)
CPU threads: 24; OS: Linux 5.15; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: en-US (C.UTF-8); UI: en-US
Ubuntu package version: 4:24.8.1-0ubuntu0.22.04.1~lo1
Calc: threaded

[asavage]

The sequence you describe does not operate similarly here; after Step 3, the characters on the File menu are not underlined (active), and the New sub-menu is displayed, as in my screenshot earlier.

@mikekaganski

use of Wayland (none here)

This, indeed, may be a difference of note. I am running Wayland, as it’s both the default and recommended by Canonical. Perhaps it’s a Wayland side-effect.

On this system, after step 2 (regardless of Step 3), the underlining of the File options quickly displays, then disappears as the New menu is presented. It makes no difference if I release Alt or not.

[LeroyG]

Hold Alt, press F
Release Alt
Press one of Down Arrow or Up Arrow or Home or End
Wait until New submenu is deployed and Press U

Version: 7.6.2.1 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: 60(Build:1)
CPU threads: 4; OS: Linux 5.14; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: es-MX (en_US.UTF-8); UI: en-US
Calc: threaded

[asavage]

Yes, @ mikekaganski mentioned that extra keystroke workaround four days ago. But the extra keystroke is not needed on the older system I tested (see my post of yesterday); therefore, this is a regression.

[LeroyG]

@asavage

extra keystroke

There is no extra keystroke, just a little waiting time before releasing Alt. I modified my comment accordingly.

[asavage]

On an older version/older system, the Up/Dn/Home/End keystroke was not required [Alt+F] presented the File menu and the New menu, but the new menu’s options are not activated for keystroke, and any key pressed was processed by the handler for the File menu. Thus, your suggestion is a workaround involving an extra keystroke.

[LeroyG]

Hold Alt, press F, release Alt (also known as Alt+F)
Wait until New submenu is deployed (wait isn’t a keystroke)
Press U

@asavage

On an older version

Yes, what you wrote is correct: I saw the auto-deployment of the New submenu in a recent version (I don’t remember which one). But I’m not sure if this came with the LibreOffice update or the Linux update.

There is a bug report, you can add your comments there: tdf#138534.

This behavior is not present on Windows.

[asavage]

@LeroyG

Wait until New submenu is deployed (wait isn’t a keystroke)
Press U

I cannot replicate this on my system; when the New menu is displayed, pressing ‘u’ merely clears both menus (they are removed) and no further action is taken, ie the Recent Documents menu is not displayed.

[asavage]

@LeroyG

There is a bug report, you can add your comments there: tdf#138534.

Thank you for pointing me to this 2020 Bugzilla report. I will add comments there, once they sort out resetting my antique password (“reset password” is not sending me the email token promised).

[asavage]

When pressing [Alt=F], the File options are displayed, but the top option of New is auto-selected. The menu system takes around a half-second to expand the New’s sub-menu, and during that delay, pressing ‘U’ can activate Recent Documents.

Longer than that 0.5s, and the New sub-menu is displayed; any keystroke from then onward is processed for that menu, and ‘U’ isn’t a valid option there, so nothing happens if you press ‘U’ too slowly.

[fpy]

@asavage

any

almost
you can use + U as a workaround.
seem to work fine too.

@asavage

posted

[asavage]

@fpy

you can use + U as a workaround.

Sorry: I do not understand. Can you explain this in a different way?

[fpy]

@asavage

way

when the New submenu is displayed, the arrow keys work,
so Alt+F U or Alt+F U will bring the Recent documents sub menu.

Note : also weird, keeping Alt+F make the menu File disappear.
Firefox doesn’t show this problem. So, not sure if it’s ubuntu or gnome or LO

[asavage]

As this is on Ubuntu, I’ve posted this as at bugs.launchpad as well:

Bug #2084605 “File|Recent Documents can no longer be accessed vi...” : Bugs :...

[asavage]

I now realize that the issue affects all of the File menu’s options, not only Recent Documents. They’re all blocked.

[asavage]

I found an older Ubuntu box (18.04) with older Calc (6.4.7.2) and Gnome rather than Wayland, and it works correctly: [Alt+F] opens the File menu, and the New sub-menu auto-opens, but the File menu’s options remain available for keystroke selection.

[asavage]