Endnote references get corrupted with copy+paste

users
#1

I'm running into a problem in 4.2.2.1 (and possibly even earlier releases) with endnotes/references getting corrupted after copy+paste operations. I reported the bug on the bug tracking site, and attached a small file to show how it can be reproduced:

https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=77342

I wanted to ask here if anyone might have any suggestions for workarounds in the meantime. The document that I'm working on is a large book with sections for each chapter. In each section, I create endnotes and also cross-references to the endnotes (some references are mentioned multiple times). It's these cross-references that get messed up after cutting+pasting arbitrary text.

I haven't figured out what pattern of endnote definitions and cross-reference additions triggers the problem (and thus what to avoid as a possible workaround), but the document attached in the bug report shows an example. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

     -Kartik

#2

Thanks for sharing your comments Tom. I've since heard from one of the developers on the bug thread, which clarified that the problem started to appear in 4.1.5.3. As a workaround, I've downgraded to 4.1.4.2 and things are working as expected.

Regards,

  -Kartik

#3

Kartik,

Not a developer, just a QA volunteer with some basic triage skills.

One thing to be aware of, is that in reverting to a release earlier than
4.1.5.3 (i.e. the 4.1.4.2 build) is that the issues of references in copied
text fdo#63553 <https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=63553> that
were patched will now again be present.

Until Devs have an occasion to again revisit the handling anchored
references, you'll have to decide if the other aspect of reference
corruption is more of an issue for you.

Stuart

P.S.-- OT, regards Tom's PM suggestion of having a look at Zotero
<https://www.zotero.org/download/> . The Zotero Standalone build and its
LibreOffice extension is valid for a more "robust" handling of citations and
references. Hosted Zotero services are also available via browser plug-in
and a similar LibreOffice extension.

Unless Thompson-Reuters resumes Endnote support for the OpenOffice.org
derivatives, the Zotero framework offers the most complete support for
referential citations in LibreOffice.

#4

Hi :slight_smile:
Yes, looks like Stuart has already bumped the thread for you. Also looks
like we were following different time-lines, as happens sometimes, so was
only giving advice already posted in the bug-thread. Still work-arounds
are not as good as actual fixes so lets hope it generates interest!
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#5

Hi :slight_smile:
It is possible to install several versions of LibreOffice in parallel with
each other or just reinstall the older version of LibreOffice. It looks
like the current best work-around is to go back to the 4.1.4 or earlier.

Having an older version of LibreOffice is not such a big problem as it
would be for proprietary software. Almost all of the updates and upgrades
are almost entirely about adding functionality, NOT about patching
security. Security is dealt with 1st as a top priority at all levels of
coding so it's extremely rare to suddenly need a patch. I'm running 3.5.7
on a couple of machines with no problems.

Once you post a bug-report there is no knowing how long it will be before
some dev suddenly becomes keen to fix it. Some companies employ devs to
work on LO so that they can force certain issues to be focussed on ahead of
others. Individuals have various options too but mostly it's a sit&wait.
Sorry!

Hmmm, one legitimate way to "bump a thread" in the bug-tracker is to report
that it's still a problem in a newer release, preferably when the release
is in beta-testing or just after release. Like right now might be a good
time to quickly check it still happens in 4.2.3 and if it is add a line
saying "Still in 4.2.3 on Windows", ie keep it short.

Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#6

Hi :slight_smile:
I don't know anything about the problem at hand. "End note" is a Microsoft
tool and MS are infamous for not playing well with others. For
bibliography and indexing it is worth exploring Zotero, apparently;

https://www.zotero.org/

I'm not sure if it does the type of thing you want. It's possible that it
might even make it easier and more automated but it might depend on where
you are getting you notes from. If it's from on-line research then Zotero
might be a real boon.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile: