Unable to select images pasted into Librecalc

russelld · October 2, 2024, 8:44am

Hi Librecalc Experts,

After taking screenshots and pasting (ie copy, paste with ctrl-v) the image into Librecalc
The pasted image cannot be selected with either the left mouse click or right mouse click.
As in no handles or selection box is on perimeter of image.

Version: 7.4.7.2 / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: 40(Build:2)
CPU threads: 8; OS: Linux 6.1; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3
Locale: en-AU (en_AU.UTF-8); UI: en-US
Debian package version: 4:7.4.7-1+deb12u5
Calc: threaded

How can this be done?
Thanks in advance for helping to solve this!

BTW its quite straightforward in Gnumeric.

mariosv · October 2, 2024, 4:30pm

Try using the navigator, if the image is in background can not be selected with the mouse.

Please attach a sample file where the image can not be selected.

Grantler · October 2, 2024, 5:23pm

… or activate the drawing tools (cursor as arrow) and select a rectangle larger than the image. It will be selected as well.

russelld · December 18, 2024, 10:27pm

EarnestAI, had the actual solution, the sheet was locked. I jumped to fast using Gnumeric. Credit for solving this should go to EarnestAI. If I could change the topic who solved this, I would!

EarnestAl · October 2, 2024, 8:56pm

You probably have the sheet protected. Oddly, you can paste an image into a protected sheet but you cannot adjust the new image unless the sheet is unprotected or you immediately Undo the paste.

Click Tools > Protect sheet and supply any password needed to unprotect the sheet then adjust image.

Further information see How to remove a Password Protected Sheet Flag

russelld · December 18, 2024, 10:25pm

EarnestAI, yes indeed, this was the actual solution, the sheet was locked. Credit for solving this should go to you. If I could change the topic I would!

russelld · October 3, 2024, 1:57am

Hi mariosv, Gantler and EarnestAI,

Thank you for your prompt and thoughtful suggestions!
I tried all of these and still wasn’t getting anywhere until closing the file and opening in Gnumeric.
Adjusted the images, saved and reopened in Librecalc and found that the images were able to be selected!

I can’t explain this other maybe it had to do with how I pasted the images.
The images were obtained via ScreenGrab, and then copied directly from ScreenGrab dialog box into Librecalc before saving the images to disk. Then using Gnumeric to move the images and later saving. This must have sorted out the image properties which then enabled Librecalc be able to select the images.

Thanks again, its wonderful to have such a supportive community!
Have a great day!

mariosv · October 3, 2024, 12:25pm

Sorry, this is not a solution, I have no issues on selecting/moving/resizing an image after pasting it, from a screenshot capture, with the system tool.
Tested with:
Version: 7.6.7.2 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: dd47e4b30cb7dab30588d6c79c651f218165e3c5
CPU threads: 16; OS: Windows 10.0 Build 22631; UI render: Skia/Raster; VCL: win
Locale: es-ES (es_ES); UI: en-US Calc: CL threaded

Please test in safe mode, Menu/Help/Restart in Safe Mode

Ziga · December 18, 2024, 6:26pm

There is no way to select an image in v7.6.5.2.
explanation:
I get a .xlsx file from co-worker with some data and an image pasted into this document. I can not select the image no matter what I do. It worked in v5.X.
If I open the same document in excel I can select the image without any problem.

mariosv · December 18, 2024, 11:43pm

Have you tried selecting the images with the navigator [F5], if they are in the background that is the only way to do it.

Ziga · December 19, 2024, 9:01am

Hi mariosv,
thanks for quick answer.
Yes, I opened the navigator, I can see the picture in navigator but I can not select it.
Libre Office was installed/updated recently on my machine and all of the settings are still on default.

(I hope the picture I uploaded here will show in this message. I can’t see it in preview.)

EarnestAl · December 19, 2024, 9:15am

In Navigator, double click the the image number to select the image.
With it selected, click Format > Arrange > ~~Bring to front~~ To foreground

Ziga · December 19, 2024, 9:32am

All options under Format > Arrange are grayed (can’t select anything).

EarnestAl · December 19, 2024, 9:39am

Do you see the handles when you double click its entry in Navigator? Once it has handles, can you move it with the mouse?
Can you cut and paste it as png?
Otherwise, please upload a sample, maybe with everything deleted except the image.

Ziga · December 19, 2024, 10:02am

OK, just saved the file on desktop to delete everything in it except the picture and now I can select the image!
So the problem only exists when opening directly from mail.
Strange thing is, that it worked this way (opening directly from mail and copying image) in previous version (5.X). Also all other data is fully editable, deletable. Just the picture isn’t.

And to answer your question - no there were no handles when double clicking on image in navigator. It was not selected. (When opening directly from mail.)