The OpenOffice provider in PADS4 allows you to connect to OpenOffice Calc files (.ods) to retrieve and display spreadsheet data.

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Steps to Add or Modify an OpenOffice File Connection

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1. Start the Data Provider Wizard

  • Open PADS4 and navigate to the Data Provider Wizard.
  • Select OpenOffice File as the provider type.
  • Click Next to continue.

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2. Specify the File Location

  • Choose where the file is stored:
    • Content Library – Recommended, as it automatically synchronizes across all PADS4-connected devices.
    • File Name – Select an OpenOffice file outside the content library (you will need to manually manage distribution).
  • Click Browse to locate the file, or manually enter the full path.
  • Click Next to continue.

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3. Select the Sheet

  • Choose the specific sheet from the OpenOffice Calc file.
  • Click Preview to check if the data is correctly loaded.
  • Click Next to continue.

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4. Complete the Setup

  • Review the connection settings.
  • Click Finish to save the data provider.

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Important Notes

  • Performance Considerations:
    • Using an external OpenOffice file (outside the Content Library) requires manual file distribution.
    • If the OpenOffice file is large, ensure PADS4 has enough resources for processing.
  • Security & Accessibility:
    • If you are using a PADS4 Data Server, the file must be accessible from the server’s location.
    • Without a PADS4 Data Server, ensure each PADS4 Viewer can locate and access the specified OpenOffice file.
  • Offline Usage:
    • You can download data from an RSS feed and save it as an OpenOffice Calc file for offline access.
    • To do this, open the RSS feed in a browser, select View Source, and save it as a .txt or .csv file before importing into OpenOffice.

This setup ensures real-time or scheduled access to OpenOffice Calc data within PADS4, making it useful for dynamic presentations, data visualization, and reporting.