Web server type - 340 CHAPTER 22 OPENOFFICE.ORG OVERVIEW Figure 22-4.
340 CHAPTER 22 OPENOFFICE.ORG OVERVIEW Figure 22-4. Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) lets you incorporate one OpenOffice.org document into another. Creating Macros OpenOffice.org employs a powerful BASIC-like programming language, which you can use to create your own functions. Although this language is called BASIC, it is several generations beyond the BASIC you might have used in the past. OpenOffice.org s BASIC is a high-level, object-oriented environment designed to appeal to programmers who wish to quickly add their own functions to the suite. However, it s possible for any user to record a series of actions as a macro, which is then automatically turned into a simple BASIC program. This can be very useful if you wish to automate a simple, repetitive task, such as the insertion of a paragraph of text, or even something more complicated, such as searching and replacing text within a document. To record a macro, select Tools . Macro . Record Macro. After you ve selected this option, any subsequent actions will be recorded. All keyboard strokes and clicks of the mouse will be captured and turned automatically into BASIC commands. To stop the recording, simply click the button on the floating toolbar. After this, you ll be invited to give the macro a name (look to the top left of the dialog box). Once you ve done so, click Save. You can then run your macro in the future by choosing Tools . Macro . Run Macro. Simply expand the My Macros and Standard entries at the top left of the dialog box, select your macro in the list, and then click Run.