[Libreoffice-bugs] [Bug 134675] [EDITING] Whole column cannot be pasted to a column range over 23 selected by shift-click

[bugzilla-daemon at bugs.documentfoundation.org]

https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=134675

--- Comment #6 from zzz <pox_ox2 at yahoo.com> ---
42 should be fine, it's the solution to the whole universe:-)
Well, I am very surprised that such magic number is embedded, especially in a
spreadsheet software. Arbitrary limitations like that will eventually bring all
kinds of perils. The mere fact that just figuring out the cause of this case
took one year is a good evidence. 

Anyway, thanks for proposing a workaround. The problem with such a single-row
target area is that it is counter-intuitive. I usually do the copy-column when
I want to replicate the column width. For a single row target:
(a)If the source is a finite range of rows, then the target column width does
NOT change.
(b)If the source is an infinite range of rows, then the target column width
DOES change to the source width.
So user must remember this whole inconsistency. It is also inconsistent with
the interface of how to insert new columns, and how to insert-paste. This is
how you have to teach users now:
- If you want to insert-replicate columns, first consider whether you want to
make over 23 columns. If no, then select the source columns, command-copy, then
select the target region by selecting some arbitrarily finite rows, such as
B1:EZ1, and then command paste. Oh, when you paste, don't forget to set the
PasteSpecial|Selection|Formats|On, otherwise you will fail and have to do it
again. Now, if you want to make over 23 columns, then you have to do another
preparation. First insert the extra columns you want to add, then do the same
procedure as above, ie. select the source columns, command-copy, then select
the target region by selecting some arbitrarily finite rows, such as B1:EZ1,
and then command paste. Oh, when you paste, don't forget to set the
PasteSpecial|Selection|Formats|On, otherwise you will fail and have to do it
again. Oh, wait, first check the release note because the limitation may have
changed to 42. The URL of the release note is...

Who wants to make such manual, help tooltip, or do such tutoring? Quite
unproductive.
Conclusion: The usefulness and ease-of-learn of spreadsheets stem from their
fundamental mental model: "Any amount of empty cells can be treated as really
empty". So keep that.

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