How do I export and import formulas to CSV?

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#1

I’m using LibreOffice 4.3.0.4 on a Mac running OS/X Yosemite. I’m trying to follow the instructions at Importing and Exporting Text Files - LibreOffice Help because I have a PHP program creating a spreadsheet out of a server database. The PHP creates a CSV file and I want to import that into LibreOffice.

If the csv file says

"=sum(2,3,4)"
"=hyperlink(""http://bbc.co.uk"", ""BBC"")"

then libreoffice imports those cells as free text, not as formulae, independent of the setting of the libreoffice - preferences - calc - view - formulas checkbox. If I click in that free text and edit it by adding a space at the end and hitting return, it changes into a formula.

If I have a real formula in a spreadsheet giving a calculated value, the wiki page suggests that I can export the formula (as opposed to a computed value) to a csv file by setting the libreoffice - preferences - calc - view - formulas checkbox. When I do that, I can see the formulas in the cells on the screen in LibreOffice. Then when I export it to a CSV file, the CSV file contains:

9
"BBC"

and not the formula.

Is it possible to import formulas from, and export formulas to, a CSV file?

Are the instructions at Importing and Exporting Text Files - LibreOffice Help incorrect?

Thanks!

#3

You have to use ‘Save As…’, choose Text (CSV) as file type, confirm the format in the first popup and check ‘Save cell formulae instead of calculated values’ in the second popup.

If you don’t want to save a complete file but rather to copy/paste formulae from a range into an existing text file: (Temporarily) choose ‘Formulae’ in the ‘Display’ section of the ‘View’ options for Calc. Copy your range and paste wherever you want.

#4

Thanks! That does work.

#2

Aha! On import, in the “Text import” popup that appears when I open the CSV file, I have to uncheck the Text Import - Other options - Quoted field as text checkbox. Then I can import formulas from CSV as formulas, not text. Importing plain text still seems to work.

But I still cannot export formulas to a CSV file.

#5

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