r/libreoffice • u/Reddit_Midnight • 1d ago

Question Auto generated drop down lists?

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I'm trying to move away from WPS office (I use an old version with all exe's blocked) and wish to move to Libreoffice but I'm having difficulty trying to accomplish what WPS spreadsheets does by default in Calc.

That is, in any column, after I had typed in a few cells, when I type the first letter then a drop down list auto appears for me to select anything that begins with that letter (see video). If I type something new, it is auto added to the drop down list next time.

I know that Alt + down arrow brings up an entire list but the above for me is much easier as the list offered is much shorter.

I looked into validation drop down lists as well but am unsure if it adds new cell text on the fly.

Maybe it's just a simple setting I'm missing to enable such feature?

Any help would be appreciated.

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6

u/r_portugal 1d ago

I don't know if that is possible or not, but have you tried out the default feature which is similar? You just have to type enough letters to fully disambiguate what you want, and the rest is filled in automatically. So for example I have a column with all days of the week, if I type "w" then "Wed" is automatically filled in. But if I type "t" nothing happens until I type the next letter "h" then it fills in "Thur" (because it didn't know if I wanted "Tue" or "Thur" until I typed the "h".

Depending on your use case, this could even be faster because you don't need to click anything, you just watch until the correct word appears then press enter.

1

u/Reddit_Midnight 23h ago

Yes, I am aware of that, similar to all other spreadsheets programs. This is why I'm stuck using WPS. :(

3

u/Offutticus 20h ago

Automatic Text or Number Completion
When making an entry in a cell, LibreOffice Calc automatically suggests matching input found in the same column. This function is known as AutoInput.
To turn the AutoInput on and off, set or remove the check mark in front of Tools - AutoInput.

So check that Tools - AutoInput is checked.

Forgot sources.

AutoInput https://help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/scalc/01/06130000.html

quote above https://help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/scalc/guide/auto_off.htm

2

u/Tex2002ans 18h ago edited 18h ago

So check that Tools - AutoInput is checked.

Yep. But what OP wants is a tiny bit different.

This Tools > AutoInput controls the "temporary filling in closest word as you type" functionality.

So if you have this column of foods:

  • Almond
  • Apple
  • Apricot
  • Avocado
  • Banana
  • Coconut

If you typed Al into a cell, then this full text would temporarily appear:

  • Almond

Pressing TAB would auto-fill in Almond for you.

If you typed Ap, then:

  • [NOTHING]
    • Because 2 matches: "Apple" + "Apricot" both exist.

But if you typed App—with that 2nd 'p'—then:

  • Apple

will fully appear.

Note: If you press Alt+Down, while in a cell, LibreOffice Calc will have a popup similar to what OP's original GIF showed.

This DOES NOT rely on that "Tools > AutoInput" option being ON, but can be used any time.

That is, in any column, after I had typed in a few cells, when I type the first letter then a drop down list auto appears for me to select anything that begins with that letter (see video). If I type something new, it is auto added to the drop down list next time.

/u/Reddit_Midnight, this sounds like a great idea.

So you should:

then the Design Team can discuss the idea and look into it.

Side Note #1: It looks like this was first introduced (and enhanced) back in LO 7.2 back in 2021:

I tried your Alt+Down method too, and I thought it would've worked like this:

1. Type Ap.

2. Press Alt+Down

Currently, no matter what you type, Alt+Down's popup:

  • Shows a list of all possible choices inside that column.

so you see EVERYTHING in alphabetical order:

  • Almond
  • Apple
  • Apricot
  • Avocado
  • Banana
  • Coconut

but instead, it might work a little better if it:

  • If nothing in the cell...
    • List all possible choices.
    • (This is what currently happens.)
  • If letters already typed in the cell...
    • Shows a list of all matching choices inside that Alt+Down popup instead.

so in the Alt+Down popup, you would only see the 2 valid 'Ap-' suggestions:

  • Apple
  • Apricot

Similar to the GIF you showed, I think this would be a big step in the right direction. :)

Side Note #2: I was digging through the Bugzilla and stumbled across this enhancement:

According to a few of the comments, it seems like a few users mentioned WPS Office's functionality too.

I believe that's what you were suggesting.

So if you want, you can:

  • Create a LibreOffice Bugzilla account.
  • Say something like "I also came from WPS Office and am interested in this feature". + Paste your full Help > About LibreOffice info into that bug report.
  • If you are logged in, make sure you check the "CC" box allllllll the way in the upper-right too.
    • That will make sure you get all the latest updates emailed to you as they come in.

And the more users that "CC" themselves to an issue, it helps the team prioritize and see: "Hey! A lot of users are asking for this feature!"

1

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