New features in OpenOffice.org 2.4.0

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544609315733972726.post-41331720189004609902008-03-27T04:33:00.013-06:002008-03-29T10:23:45.071-06:00New features in OpenOffice.org 2.4.0<p>OpenOffice.org 2.4 is now released and ushers in new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements.</p> <h3 id="chart2">Chart improvements</h3> <p>Six months ago, OpenOffice.org 2.3.0 introduced the rewritten "chart2" module with the promise it would be the foundation for future development. Now OpenOffice.org 2.4 delivers on that promise with 9 new chart features.</p> <p>A click <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2007/12/display-equations-for-regression-lines.html">adds the regression equation</a> to a regression curve.</p>  <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2007/12/display-equations-for-regression-lines.html" title="Chart: Display equations for regression lines"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UQvhZy4hI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/p67u3T4B7kg/s400/calc240_regression_function.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4.0 Chart screenshot: Display equations for regression lines" /></a> <p>In a double axis bar chart, the <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/01/show-bars-side-by-side-double-column.html">bars can be drawn side by side</a> (instead of overlapping).</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/01/show-bars-side-by-side-double-column.html"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UadhZy4jI/AAAAAAAAAvA/MvTHh-Z7qBA/s640/OOo240_26795_after.png" alt="Chart with the new OpenOffice.org 2.4.0 feature 'Show bars side by side'" /> </a> <p>Usually the higher a bar reaches in a bar graph, the higher its value. However, sometimes <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/reverse-axis-chart-bar-graph.html">an upside-down chart</a> better represents the data.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/reverse-axis-chart-bar-graph.html"> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UdjRZy4kI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/2bryKseQXaU/s640/reverse_axis-4_charts.png" alt="Screenshot: OpenOffice.org Chart 2.4.0: Four possible combinations of reversed and normal axes" /> </a>  <p>Can't decide between showing the value and showing the percentage? Show <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html">both</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html"> <img src="http://lh6.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UuqhZy4qI/AAAAAAAAAws/5lFhpSVj9dA/s640/OOo240-data_labels-value_and_percent.png" alt="screenshot: OpenOffice.org 2.4: Chart: display both values and percentage" /> </a> <p>As the amount of information in a data label grows, it may be necessary to move some onto a <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html">separate line</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html"> <img src="http://lh4.google.com/OOoNinja/R9LmBPuVc_I/AAAAAAAAAmE/iWcqC729zAg/s640/OOo240-data_labels-new_line.png" alt="Chart: display each part of data label on separate line" /> </a> <p>Tweak the <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html">position of data labels</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html"> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R9LmBfuVdAI/AAAAAAAAAmM/tl-aTC8uats/s640/OOo240-data_labels-position.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4.0: Flexible placement of data labels in chart" /> </a> <p>Choose any number format independent of the data source.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html" title="Article: Six new data label options for charts"> <img src="http://lh4.google.com/OOoNinja/R-Uv1BZy4rI/AAAAAAAAAxA/iQHhjYvxeIc/s720/OOo240-data_labels-number_format.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4: Chart: specify number format for data labels" /></a> <p>Guess which pie chart uses the new <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html"><b>Best fit</b></a> placement option and which uses <b>Outside</b>.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/data-label-options-calc-chart.html"> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R9LfnfuVc3I/AAAAAAAAAks/4mMVUpEoa-Q/s800/OOo240-data_labels-pie-outside.png" alt="Pie chart using outside position" /> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R9LfnfuVc2I/AAAAAAAAAkk/RlM0qM-0gOw/s800/OOo240-data_labels-pie-best_fit.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4.0: Pie chart using best fit position" /></a> <h3>3D slide transitions</h3> <p>Impress 2.4 enables extensions for slide transitions, and an extension will soon be released with ten <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/eye-candy-3d-opengl-transitions-impress.html">3D OpenGL transitions</a>. </p>  <embed src="http://www.veoh.com/videodetails2.swf?permalinkId=v6314086hzKAANEG&id=9434914&player=videodetailsembedded&videoAutoPlay=0" allowFullScreen="true" width="540" height="438" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> <h3>Rectangular selection</h3> <p>Certain layouts in Writer, such as OCR scans and tables made with tabs, benefit from <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2007/12/block-selection-mode-new-feature.html">selecting text in block mode</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2007/12/block-selection-mode-new-feature.html"> <img src="http://lh4.google.com/OOoNinja/R-uFNhZy4xI/AAAAAAAAAyI/t1rmE51w3X0/s400/200712_ooo_writer_block_selection.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4.0 screenshot illustrating the new block selection mode in Writer"/></a> <h3>More powerful regular expressions</h3>  <p>To search for complex text patterns or transform volumes of text with automation, turn to regular expressions. In 2.4, <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2007/12/backreferences-in-replacements-new.html">regular expressions get a boost with backreferences</a>, referencing a group in the subject from the replacement field. Applications include changing the formats of dates (see illustration below) and redacting Social Security Numbers. </p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2007/12/backreferences-in-replacements-new.html"> <img src="http://lh3.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UgJxZy4lI/AAAAAAAAAvo/VZYIHHSa7ko/s512/200712-diagram-regex.png" border="0" alt="The diagram illustrates how the regular expression with backreference substitution works (OpenOffice.org Writer 2.4+)" /> </a> <h3 id="pdf">PDF export enhancements</h3> <p>OpenOffice.org is renowned for its powerful, integrated PDF export, and version 2.4 broadens PDF capabilities even further. <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/01/generating-pdfa-for-long-term-archiving.html">PDF/A-1</a> is the new standard for long-term document retention, and OpenOffice.org supports it. Impress and Draw <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/export-page-names-as-pdf-bookmarks.html">export page names as PDF bookmarks</a>.</p>   <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/interview-with-giuseppe-castagno.html"> <img src="http://lh6.google.com/OOoNinja/R6Su-URcAUI/AAAAAAAAAWw/86GVPWITXuE/s640/OOo24_PDF_options_dialog.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4.0: PDF export dialog shows the PDF/A-1 option" /> </a> <p>When publishing to the web, CD-ROM, or a local network, <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/create-relative-links-in-pdfs.html">export URLs relative to file system</a> is handy for creating relative links. <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/export-pdf-named-designations-for-use.html">Export bookmarks as named designations</a> creates anchors to reference specific places in documents (such as chapter 5 in Writer document) from other documents (such a web page). <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/convert-document-references-pdf-targets.html">Convert document references to PDF targets</a> facilitates reuse of the same links by converting <acronym title="OpenDocument Format">ODF</acronym> file name extensions to PDF only in the PDF. Finally, the <b>Cross-document links</b> defines the behavior for links clicked in PDF files.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/interview-with-giuseppe-castagno.html"> <img src="http://lh6.google.com/OOoNinja/R8r8b2-Q0LI/AAAAAAAAAis/JtOmxMkDTRE/s640/OOo240_PDF_options_links.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4: PDF Options dialog in the Links tab" /> </a> <h3>Easier selection of language for spell checking</h3> <p>Polyglots will delight in <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/set-select-language-spell-check-switch.html">three new ways to quickly switch the language for spell checking</a>. Pictured is the new context menu (which pops up after a right click) in Writer.</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/02/set-select-language-spell-check-switch.html"> <img src="http://lh6.google.com/OOoNinja/R-uKUBZy4zI/AAAAAAAAAyg/JqIqQzHwmkA/s640/OOo240-language-context_menu.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4: Screenshot depicting Writer's new context menu with language selection"/> </a> <h3>Insert picture as slide background</h3> <p>Instead of invoking arcane incantations, just right click to set the background picture for a slide in Impress.</p> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R-uLhxZy40I/AAAAAAAAAys/7zmS3c-4DOY/s800/OOo240_Impress_set_background.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4.0 Impress: set background for slide" /> <h3>Convert text to columns</h3> <p>Calc can <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/01/text-columns-calc-convert-openoffice.html">split delimited text into multiple cells</a>. Start with this:</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/01/text-columns-calc-convert-openoffice.html"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UnlBZy4oI/AAAAAAAAAwI/CZMIx_3ip7U/s400/OOo240_text2col_start.png" alt="Screenshot: OpenOffice.org 2.4.0: Calc spreadsheet with comma separated values"/></a> <p>Apply the <b>Text to Columns</b> command. Then, end up with this:</p> <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/01/text-columns-calc-convert-openoffice.html"> <img src="http://lh4.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UnlBZy4nI/AAAAAAAAAwA/O3cpMhUxvAw/s400/OOo240_text2col_finish.png" alt="screenshot: OpenOffice.org 2.4.0 Calc: Finished results of Text to Columns" /></a> <h3>Enhanced formula input</h3> <p>When filling out Calc spreadsheets, efficient typists can't stray from the number pad. Yeah, it's only 30 cm away to the = symbol, but don't tell them that. Instead, point out Calc now accepts formulas that begin with the + symbol instead of the = symbol.</p> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R-UrbRZy4pI/AAAAAAAAAwk/JnjG-RPS-SY/s640/OOo240_calc_formula_input.png" alt="Screenshot: OpenOffice.org 2.4 Calc: enhanced formula input" /> <h3>Enhanced data input</h3> <p>I like to tell people that a word processor is not a type writer, but now I can say Calc is a type writer—well, a little bit. After data is typed horizontally, the return key—surprise—returns the cursor to the column where the typing started.</p>  <embed src="http://www.veoh.com/videodetails2.swf?permalinkId=v6305084fsMfEQrn&id=9434914&player=videodetailsembedded&videoAutoPlay=0" allowFullScreen="true" width="540" height="237" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> <h3>Extensions</h3> <p>Learning from Firefox's success, OpenOffice.org 2.4 continues to polish <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/">extensions</a> to attract more developers, developers, developers. Now extensions fully integrate into the help system.</p> <img src="http://lh4.google.com/OOoNinja/R8rSMW-Q0KI/AAAAAAAAAik/bCkouFvyOqo/s640/OOo240_extensions_help.png" alt="An extension is fully integrated into the help system" /> <p>When OpenOffice.org automatically checks for OpenOffice.org updates, it also checks for updates to extensions.</p> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R8rOQm-Q0JI/AAAAAAAAAiY/r7-lhPCpfg8/s640/OOo240_extensions_updates_available.png" alt="Screenshot showing the a popup message indicating updates for extensions are available" /> <p>When updating extensions, OpenOffice.org will launch the web browser to the appropriate web pages for more convenient updating. Extensions can have non-geeky-looking display names, but if the publisher omits the display name, the geeky-looking filename is used instead. Extension publishers can include links to their sites and to release notes.</p> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R8rOQm-Q0II/AAAAAAAAAiQ/K0Zvt2aqh2c/s640/OOo240_extensions_update.png" alt="The new extension update dialog shows an extension with a display name, a publisher link, and a link to release notes." /> <h3>Custom Word properties</h3> <p>It didn't take Microsoft releasing its documentation for binary formats to add this feature: custom properties defined in Word documents now import and export.</p> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/OOoNinja/R8sZSW-Q0MI/AAAAAAAAAi0/uEAHTI7gki4/s640/OOo240_Writer_custom_properties.png" alt="OpenOffice.org 2.4 shows custom properties imported from Word" /> <h3>Move cells using drag and drop</h3> <p>Hail <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/drag-drop-move-copy-link-cells-calc.html">new shortcuts for moving, copying, and linking cells</a> in Calc.</p> <embed src="http://www.veoh.com/videodetails2.swf?player=videodetailsembedded&type=v&permalinkId=v6322897DyKwhd8M&id=9434914" allowFullScreen="true" width="540" height="265" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> <h3>Localization</h3>  <p>When you can't think of another word that means синоним, just check the new Russian thesaurus. The 2.4 release also <a rel="nofollow external" href="http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/New_Features_2.4#Localisation">adds</a> 10 languages, several locales, the new Bolivar Fuerte currency, and support for Farsi and Persian numbering. When a document (such as a broken .RTF), does not provide the locale, OpenOffice.org will assume the system locale.</p> <h3>Looking forward</h3> <p>Breaking recent precedent, there will be no bug-fix release 2.4.1 in 3 months. It may be released out of schedule while developers will focus on preparing <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/2008/03/openofficeorg-30-new-features.html" title="OpenOffice.org 3.0's new features, an early look (March 19, 2008">OpenOffice.org 3.0</a> for final release September 2008. Version 3.0 will include <a href="http://www.oooninja.com/search/label/openxml">Microsoft Office 2007 file format support</a>, <acronym title="OpenDocument Format">ODF</acronym> 1.2, improved notes, and <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://blogs.sun.com/GullFOSS/entry/completing_pdf_support_in_ooo1">PDF import</a>, and <a href="http://katana.oooninja.com/w/openoffice.org/performance_improvements">performance improvements</a>. </p> <h3>Competition</h3> <p>OpenOffice.org continues to face stiff competition. Despite the radical interface and file format changes, Microsoft Office 2007 enjoys strong sales and support from third-party developers. A first step in denting Sharepoint's enterprise dominance, Google recently expanded its software-as-a-service Google Docs suite with JotSpot, a wiki service, and is laboring to push Google Apps from the web to the desktop with Google Gears.</p> <p>Still, OpenOffice.org stands out on price, license, broad platform support, OpenDocument file formats, robust PDF export, and rapid development. Where it took Microsoft four years to make Office 2007, OpenOffice.org comes out every three to six months.</p> <h3>Links for OpenOffice.org 2.4</h3> <ul> <li><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb759464.htm">Press release</a></li> <li><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?list=announce&msgNo=356">Announcement</a></li> <li>OpenOffice.org Wiki: <a rel="nofollow external" href="http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/New_Features_2.4">New Features</a> (release notes)</li> <li>OpenOffice.org Wiki: <a rel="nofollow external" href="http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Chart2/Features2.4">New Features in Chart</a></li> <li>Issue Tracker queries</li> <ul> <li>1560 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo+2.4&votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id"> All issues fixed</a></li> <ul> <li>49 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=FEATURE&resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo+2.4&votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id"> Features</a></li> <li>224 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=ENHANCEMENT&resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo+2.4&votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id"> Enhancements</a></li> <li>982 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=DEFECT&resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo+2.4&votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id">Defects</a></li> <li>61 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=TASK&resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo+2.4&votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id">Tasks</a></li> <li>244 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=PATCH&resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo+2.4&votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id">Patches</a></li> <li>115 <a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?resolution=FIXED&target_milestone=OOo%202.4;votes=1&order=issues.votes%20desc%2C%20issues.issue_id">Issues with 1+ votes</a></li> </ul> <li><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=DEFECT&version=OOo+2.4+RC1&version=OOo+2.4+RC2&version=OOo+2.4;votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id">Defects found in 2.4</a></li> <ul> <li><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/buglist.cgi?issue_type=DEFECT&version=OOo+2.4+RC1&version=OOo+2.4+RC2&version=OOo+2.4&keywords=regression;votes=0&order=issues.votes desc%2C issues.issue_id">Regressions found in 2.4</a></li> </ul> </ul> <li><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Feature_Freeze_Testing_2.4"> Feature Freeze Testing 2.4</a> (mainly for QA people)</li> <li><a href="http://katana.oooninja.com/w/openoffice.org/performance_improvements">Performance improvements</a></li> <li><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Votes">Votes analysis</a></li> </ul> <h3>Download</h3> <p><a rel="external nofollow" href="http://download.openoffice.org/">Download OpenOffice.org 2.4 now</a> directly or through BitTorrent.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.pheedo.com/click.phdo?x=9b46c817936b44038e3def7b73e77e6e&u=%%UNIQUEID%%"><img src="http://www.pheedo.com/img.phdo?x=9b46c817936b44038e3def7b73e77e6e&u=%%UNIQUEID%%" border="0"/></a></div>Andrew Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108637160465346326noreply@blogger.com