When a user changes the formatting of text, it would be helpful if Writer were to offer a method to update the style, not just the particular selected text. This would help promote the proper use of styling documents, and would be a terrific usability enhancement. The feature could be implemented as a toolbar[1] that pops up when the change is made, much as the Bullets and Numbering toolbar pops up when the user initiates a list. This would be unobtrusive yet informative to the user. Of course, a keyboard shortcut should also be available. Caveats: 1) It might be preferable to initiate this feature only when an entire area of a style is selected, not for small portions. 2) If an entire paragraph is selected, and that paragraph is less than a full line wide, it might make sense to assume that the user is incorrectly using paragraphs for style and offer to change that paragraph into a heading. [1] The toolbar would have these buttons, in accordance with the feature as described: - Update Style - Change Paragraph to Heading - Change All Single-line Paragraphs to Headings
Is that not what occurs when "Auto update" has been ticked in the style dialogue. You can right click the change you made, "Edit Style" and tick "Auto Update". Unless I am interpreting "Auto Update" incorrectly.
Thank you, Steve. The Auto Update checkbox must be checked before any changes are made, and there is no UI hint to the user that this feature exists without digging for it. Implementation of a toolbar as proposed in the OP would compliment the Auto Update feature, and make the usage of styles more apparent to the casual user.
I can see something popping up in your face everytime direct formatting is applied being a nuisance if you couldn't turn it off and the possibility of a new user just clicking yes and mucking up his default format unknowingly. If the right click had an "Update Style with direct formatting" (too long) it would be easy. Does LO have that little light bulb pop up thingy that OO had in the bottom right corner. That could be a good thing for new users. You change the formatting, it pops up out of the way and if you are new you can click on it to find you can update the style permanently or make a new style from the changed text and even open the styles help section to learn more. The "Change Paragraph to Heading" you propose requires a list, which heading style. You can already just select the heading from the top left style drop down. The "Change All Single-line Paragraphs to Headings" could lead to problems with lists (styled or not) and then which heading?
> I can see something popping up in your face everytime direct formatting is > applied being a nuisance if you couldn't turn it off and the possibility of a > new user just clicking yes and mucking up his default format unknowingly. > That is why I suggested a toolbar. When they pop up they are not in one's face, and they can be disabled, and there is no Yes button to press. > If the right click had an "Update Style with direct formatting" (too long) it > would be easy. I agree with you for the case of users who know what styling is. However, from personal experience supporting users and from frequent questions on the OOo and LO users' mailing lists, a significant portion of users do know know about styles. Having a toolbar appear would give a hint to that functionality. > Does LO have that little light bulb pop up thingy that OO had in the bottom > right corner. That could be a good thing for new users. You change the > formatting, it pops up out of the way and if you are new you can click on it to > find you can update the style permanently or make a new style from the changed > text and even open the styles help section to learn more. I agree that would be an acceptable solution. The lightbulb thingy was actually my first inclination when I thought of the feature, but after writing a document and having a Bullets and Numbering toolbar appear I decided that the toolbar is the cleaner solution. > The "Change Paragraph to Heading" you propose requires a list, which heading > style. You can already just select the heading from the top left style drop > down. Yes, but users don't know that styles and headings exist. > The "Change All Single-line Paragraphs to Headings" could lead to problems > with lists (styled or not) How? > and then which heading? Ask the user, we already have his attention and consent if we've gotten this far.
Hi Dotan, (In reply to comment #0) > When a user changes the formatting of text, it would be helpful if Writer were > to offer a method to update the style, Pls have a look to the window Styles and Formatting. Upper right, there is a drop-down button. Second option in the list is Update style - what you are looking for. To have the function is a valid wish. Since it already exists, the request is invalid ;-) Cheers - Cor