OpenOffice.org OpenOffice - 3.0 Quick Start Guide download pdf (Page 378)

The dispatch framework can also be used to send “commands” back to

the UI (User Interface). For example, after saving the document, the

File Save command is disabled. As soon as the document has been

changed, the File Save command is enabled.

If we see a dispatch command, it is text such as .uno:InsertObject or

.uno:GoToStartOfLine. The command is sent to the document’s frame,

and the frame passes on the command until an object is found that can

handle the command.

How the macro recorder uses the dispatch

framework

The macro recorder records the generated dispatches. The recorder is

relatively simple to implement and the same commands that are issued

are recorded for later use. The problem is that not all dispatched

commands are complete. For example, inserting an object generates

the following code:

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:InsertObject", "", 0, Array())

It is not possible to specify what kind of object to create or insert. If an

object is inserted from a file, you cannot specify which file to insert.

I recorded a macro and used Tools > Options to open and modify

configuration items. The generated macro does not record any

configuration changes; in fact, the generated code is commented so it

will not even be run.

rem dispatcher.executeDispatch(document,

".uno:OptionsTreeDialog", "", 0, Array())

If a dialog is opened, the command to open the dialog is likely to be

generated. Any work done inside the dialog is not usually recorded.

Examples include macro organization dialogs, inserting special

characters, and similar types of dialogs. Other possible problems using

the macro recorder include things such as inserting a formula, setting

user data, setting filters in Calc, actions in database forms, and

exporting a document to an encrypted PDF file. You never know for

certain what will work unless you try it, however. The actions from the

search dialog are properly captured, for example.

Other options

When the macro recorder is not able to solve a specific problem, the

usual solution is to write code using the OpenOffice.org objects.

Unfortunately, there is a steep learning curve for the OOo objects. It is

usually best to start with simple examples and then branch out slowly

378 Getting Started with OpenOffice.org 3

1 2 ... 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 ... 432 433

No comments

OpenOffice.org OpenOffice - 3.0 Quick Start Guide Page 378