[Libreoffice-bugs] [Bug 124680] New: Database created from ODS file vanishes from Data sources (Ctrl+Shift+F4) if added with "exchange database"

[bugzilla-daemon at bugs.documentfoundation.org]

https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=124680

            Bug ID: 124680
           Summary: Database created from ODS file vanishes from Data
                    sources (Ctrl+Shift+F4) if added with "exchange
                    database"
           Product: LibreOffice
           Version: 6.0.0.0.alpha0+
          Hardware: x86-64 (AMD64)
                OS: All
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: normal
          Priority: medium
         Component: Writer
          Assignee: libreoffice-bugs at lists.freedesktop.org
          Reporter: dioxaz at libertysurf.fr

Description:
At the organization I work for, we usually do our mail merges with LibreOffice
Writer by:

- creating our ODS source file with Calc
- importing the ODS source using the "exchange database" function from the
"Edit" menu in Writer (browsing the ODS file, then selecting the proper table
then clicking "Define")
- dragging the database fields from the "Data sources" window (Ctrl+Shift+F4)
then dropping them into our ODT document 

It used to work perfectly until version 5.4.2 included. It no longer does with
version 6.0 and later (described behavior blow starts occurring even from
earliest alpha builds).

Regardless of the environment (tested with Windows and Linux), the imported
database disappears by itself from the "Data sources" window at some point and
is no longer registered:

- either in the middle of inserting fields from the imported database
- or when selecting a portion of the text and hitting [Del] whether the
selection contains a previously inserted field or not
- or when inserting a custom date field, unrelated to the database I'm using
- or when restarting Writer (even though it didn't vanish while inserting the
fields, it's totally gone after restarting)

I tested this with latest available Evolution version in Windows (6.2.2 as I'm
writing this) and the problem still persists. I also tested with various
profiles, even brand new ones and the problem persists.

However testing this same exact procedure with LibreOffice 5.4.2 didn't yield
the problem. It seems to have started from version 6.0 onwards, including alpha
builds.

Important note about that behavior. When the database vanishes, its matching
ODB file automatically created within the "My documents" folder is still there.
It's only completely de-registered, as if I deleted it manually from "Tools >
Options > LibreOffice Base" ("Registered databases" window) except I didn't.

Also, using the "Mailing assistant" to import the ODS source doesn't yield the
problem. Going into "Tools > Options > LibreOffice Base" ("Registered
databases") and renaming the freshly imported database from there actually
prevents the problem from happening. When the database is renamed to everything
but its original name, it stays registered, doesn't vanish and keeps appearing
in "Data sources" even after restarting Writer.

I have no idea why only databases imported with the "exchange database" feature
yield this behavior starting from LibreOffice 6 if we don't rename them
manually afterwards.

The problem is perfectly reproducible as I was able to capture it on video
multiple times.

Did we perform a deprecated procedure until now? Is there something I might
have forgot? If so, it seems strange that only LO 6+ does this.

For the moment, renaming the database in from "Tools > Options > LibreOffice
Base" ("Registered databases") is necessary to prevent databases imported from
ODS files using "exchange database" from disappearing or de-registering by
themselves.

Steps to Reproduce:
1. create an ODS source file with Calc
2. import the ODS source using the "Edit > Exchange database" function in
Writer (browse the ODS file, then select the proper table and finally clicking
"Define")
3. Open the Data sources window (Ctrl+Shift+F4) then drag the fields from there
 in order to drop them to your ODT document 
4. (optional) save your mail-merged document, then restart Writer

Actual Results:
The imported database vanishes by itself while dropping the fields or after
hitting the [Del] key within the ODT document or after inserting a custom date
field. If not, it's not present anymore after restarting Writer.

Expected Results:
The database should not vanish or disappear by itself, regardless of the
manipulations done within the ODT file or after restarting Writer if not
manually renamed in "Tools > Options > LibreOffice Base" ("Registered
databases" window).


Reproducible: Always


User Profile Reset: Yes



Additional Info:

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