lower part of dialog boxes not visible

users
#1

Good morning
(I am subscribed to the list, but under a different mail address, which I
apparently cannot use where I am now. I hope, this gets through anyway,.)
I am on the other side of the world from where I usually work and brought a
notebook PC with me, that I now use for the first time.
(Dell Vostro 3500, Windows 7, Libreoffice 3.3).

When I am in Calc and want to search for something, a "search and replace"
dialog box opens. On my desktop computer at home I have the handle "more
options" -> click -> search all sheets. I would like to do the same thing on
the notePC, but the lower portion of that dialog box is and remains
somewhere BELOW the lower edge of the screen = invisible.

Is there a trick that would allow me to move the box across the screen and
thus reach its lower end?

Thank you in advance.
Thomas

#2

Can you just move the "search&replace" box simply draging it?

*Helmar Fernandes

#3

Thomas

Possibly changing the resolution on your notebook to a higher setting would make
the dialog box a smaller size that would fit the screen.

John McAtee

#4

Thanks for this tip. In some windows of GIMP too, this problem exists. Didn't think of this idea! Thanks.
Manoharan

#5

Can you just move the "search&replace" box simply draging it?

Yes, I can drag it, but not far enough to see the lower part of the dialog
box.
That is my current problem ...

#6

Thomas

Possibly changing the resolution on your notebook to a higher setting would
make
the dialog box a smaller size that would fit the screen.

Current resolution: 1366x768 (highest) = recommended (says so on the
screen).
That means I cannot increase resolution.
I vaguely remember, that I had a similar problem using Linux.
There was a trick (don't remember that one): pressing some key and then drag
the box allowed to move it anywhere;
even out of the visible screen.
That kind of magic I am looking for ...

#7

Thomas Blasejewicz wrote (17-05-11 15:12)

I vaguely remember, that I had a similar problem using Linux.
There was a trick (don't remember that one): pressing some key and then drag
the box allowed to move it anywhere;
even out of the visible screen.

Alt-space,
arrow down three times
Enter
   bring the dialog in the Move mode
use arrows
Enter
   brings back to normal mode

Maybe that is it?
Cor

#8

Change the dots per inch setting in your display dialogue. Go from a higher
number to a lower number. Standard is 96 or 72, but may be set anywhere.
There may be a window with simple radio dial select controls of Smaller,
Medium, Large. Just select smaller. Control Panel >Hardware and

all settings available

*John Shabanowitz
http://libodocs.wordpress.com
We're recruiting, come join us.*

#9

Thomas Blasejewicz wrote (17-05-11 15:12)

I vaguely remember, that I had a similar problem using Linux.

There was a trick (don't remember that one): pressing some key and then
drag
the box allowed to move it anywhere;
even out of the visible screen.

Alt-space,
arrow down three times
Enter
bring the dialog in the Move mode
use arrows
Enter
brings back to normal mode

Maybe that is it?
Cor

Thank you, but I am afraid, that is not quite yet it.
As long as I open "more options" I can move the box around, but not beyond
the upper edge of the screen: it "hits the ceiling".
And in that position the lower have of the "more options" is and remains
below the horizon.
I know that there IS the option "search in all sheets", but I just cannot
reach it - physically.
Thomas

#10

As a temporary workaround; Tools|Options|LibreOffice|View|Scaling -
reduce to 80%|OK

That may make the F&R box small enough to select the 'Search in all
sheets'. Note: I cannot replicate your problem w/LO 3.3.2 Win7 on an HP
G60 w/1366x768, landscape, Maintain Aspect Ratio scaling.

#11

@Thomas

You can use this Open Source program to solve your problem

http://winsize2.sourceforge.net/en/index.html

But I think that the options in the dialog should be rearranged. There is a
lot of empty space on the dialog and this creates a problem with low
resolution devices such as netbooks.

#12

@Thomas

You can use this Open Source program to solve your problem

http://winsize2.sourceforge.net/en/index.html

Does that work for in program windows such as Find & Replace?

But I think that the options in the dialog should be rearranged.
There is a lot of empty space on the dialog and this creates a
problem with low resolution devices such as netbooks.

Thomas is not using a netbook "(Dell Vostro 3500, Windows 7, Libreoffice
3.3)":
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-3500/pd

Could be that it's an overall Win7 setting? Perhaps a theme and/or
Control Panel|All Control Panel Items|Display? I don't boot into Win7
very often, but I just went to the above and changed from 'Smaller -
100% (default)' to 'Medium - 125%' and now I can replicate his problem
on my HP G60. So Thomas, check that setting. To get to it; right-click
on the desktop, select 'Personalize', and then click Display.

#13

@NoOp

I didn't say he was. I said this should be fixed because this will affect
netbook users (and it is quite easy since there is a lot of wasted space on
the dialog)

Maybe Thomas is simply using a Theme with a Large Font...

#14

> @Thomas
>
> You can use this Open Source program to solve your problem
>
> http://winsize2.sourceforge.net/en/index.html

Does that work for in program windows such as Find & Replace?

>
> But I think that the options in the dialog should be rearranged.
> There is a lot of empty space on the dialog and this creates a
> problem with low resolution devices such as netbooks.

Thomas is not using a netbook "(Dell Vostro 3500, Windows 7, Libreoffice
3.3)":
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-3500/pd

Could be that it's an overall Win7 setting? Perhaps a theme and/or
Control Panel|All Control Panel Items|Display? I don't boot into Win7
very often, but I just went to the above and changed from 'Smaller -
100% (default)' to 'Medium - 125%' and now I can replicate his problem
on my HP G60. So Thomas, check that setting. To get to it; right-click
on the desktop, select 'Personalize', and then click Display.

Good evening from Germany (instead of my usual Japan ...)
Thank you.
That personalize trick "works" (barely), but I am afraid I am too old to
work a whole day long with stuff displayed on the screen
so small, that I need a microscope to read it. There are only two options I
can see: 100% and 125%.
The latter one I chose upon setting the PC up (bought extra for this trip)
and is the minimum I need to read anything on the screen. 100% is not really
an "option".
And even with the 100% option the lowest items in the dialog box are only
half visible. The other half is still hidden behind the lower task bar.

Is this really the only way to get to dialog boxes and menus?
(I suspect, there are a lot of other similar boxes I have not yet
tried/used) that too disappear beneath the horizon!)

Thomas

#15

...

Good evening from Germany (instead of my usual Japan ...)
Thank you.
That personalize trick "works" (barely), but I am afraid I am too old to
work a whole day long with stuff displayed on the screen
so small, that I need a microscope to read it. There are only two options I
can see: 100% and 125%.
The latter one I chose upon setting the PC up (bought extra for this trip)
and is the minimum I need to read anything on the screen. 100% is not really
an "option".
And even with the 100% option the lowest items in the dialog box are only
half visible. The other half is still hidden behind the lower task bar.

Is this really the only way to get to dialog boxes and menus?
(I suspect, there are a lot of other similar boxes I have not yet
tried/used) that too disappear beneath the horizon!)

...

Sorry, but that's pretty much my limit w/Win7. I only booted into it to
see if I could figure out your problem. Hopefully someone with Win7
experience will come along & assist further. You could always shrink the
partition & install Ubuntu to dual boot :slight_smile:

#16

OK. I still have Win7 booted (I'm testing Ubuntu Natty installs in
VMWare & VirtualBox on it) & think I may have figured out how to get you
something that _might_ help.

Go back to the Display setting & instead of setting to 125%, click the
item on the left menu 'Set custom text size (DPI)'. Scale that to 110%
(hold the left mouse key down & slide the scale to adjust) & check 'Use
Windows XP style DPI scaling', and click OK & then 'Apply'. You'll need
to log out/in for the setting to take effect. Give that a try. If not
you can experiment with other percentages. I found that I could see the
'Search all sheets' at 120% as well.

Gary

#17

...
> Good evening from Germany (instead of my usual Japan ...)
> Thank you.
> That personalize trick "works" (barely), but I am afraid I am too old to
> work a whole day long with stuff displayed on the screen
> so small, that I need a microscope to read it. There are only two options
I
> can see: 100% and 125%.
> The latter one I chose upon setting the PC up (bought extra for this
trip)
> and is the minimum I need to read anything on the screen. 100% is not
really
> an "option".
> And even with the 100% option the lowest items in the dialog box are only
> half visible. The other half is still hidden behind the lower task bar.
>
> Is this really the only way to get to dialog boxes and menus?
> (I suspect, there are a lot of other similar boxes I have not yet
> tried/used) that too disappear beneath the horizon!)
...

Sorry, but that's pretty much my limit w/Win7. I only booted into it to
see if I could figure out your problem. Hopefully someone with Win7
experience will come along & assist further. You could always shrink the
partition & install Ubuntu to dual boot :slight_smile:

Thank you for your help!
Yes, Linux may be the solution.
(otherwise, I will keep looking and report back here, if I find anything)
I am really trying to get away from MS, but Linux too has its problems.
The one and foremost I am struggling with: I cannot find (or make them work)
any good dictionary software.
Which is for me a "fatal" disadvantage.

#18

@NoOp

I didn't say he was.

You didn't say he was what? It is helpful if you'd quote what you are
replying to. Snipping is good, but simply replying without some quote &
attribution isn't helpful - particularly if someone is sorting through
the archives.

I said this should be fixed because this will affect
netbook users (and it is quite easy since there is a lot of wasted space on
the dialog)

What should be fixed?

We finally figured out that Thomas is using the 'Medium - 125%' setting
in Win7 (Control Panel|All Control Panel Items|Display). There is a
warning when setting that in Win7, it states:
<quote>
Some items may not fit on your screen if you choose this setting while
your display is set to this resolution
</quote>

Did/can you replicate on a netbook? I can't on an HP Mini
w/Win7-Starter. If you can, then I agree & it would be a good idea for
you to file a bug report.

Maybe Thomas is simply using a Theme with a Large Font...

And that (font) is probably the key... see my comments regarding
changing the DPI from 125% to 110% or 120%. I reckon we'll need to wait
to see if any of that made a difference.

#19

In the Ubuntu version of LibreOffice, some of the taller dialogs have
been rearranged so the "bottom half" is to the side, so they fit better
into a widescreen display such as found on many netbooks and laptops.
(PDF Options is an example.) AFAIK, the standard version of LibO
(downloaded from the website) does not use this side-by-side layout.

If the Find & Replace dialog could be changed so "more options" are
displayed to the right, then it should work much better for those of us
who need to use larger fonts to see the text. I don't know how many of
these "too tall" dialogs there are, but I would think changing all of
them would be a definite usability plus.

--Jean

#20

Fascinating comment. I've found that since I dumped Windows about four-five
years ago that I've been twice as productive. Care to enumerate?

Wayne
http://semiaccurate.com