open office macros

[uberdonkey5]

does anyone program alot in open office, particularly spreadsheets? What is the language (I heard it was basic, but what type?) and is at as useful as Excel VBA (can I do the same things)? Are there good books on the language for Ooo.

P.S. saw link for 4 useful macros from newbie2 which I have updated here.

http://www.linux.com/articles/48869?tid=152&tid=93

[Corfy]

By default, OpenOffice.org uses it's own Basic language (I think it is officially called OpenOffice.org Basic, and it is not compatible with VBA). There is at least one book on OpenOffice.org macros written by Andrew Pitonyak.

http://www.amazon.com/OpenOffice-org-Macros-Explained-Andrew-Pitonyak/dp/1930919514/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222398645&sr=8-1

However, OpenOffice.org can also use Python, JavaScript, and BeanShell (Ok, I admit, I don't even know what that last one is). So you aren't limited to one language.

Unfortunately, I don't have enough experience with VBA or OOo Basic to compare and contrast them.

You might also check out the OpenOffice.org forums for help. There is the new (or relatively new) official OpenOffice.org forum, which has a Macro sub-forum at http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewforum.php?f=20

And there is the older unaffiliated forum with its macro section at http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewforum.phtml?f=9

Speaking as one of the moderators at the latter forum, the OpenOffice.org community at both forums is generally very friendly and helpful.

[uberdonkey5]

thanks corfy! thats superb. Well, I may have a go at learning python then :D