LibreOffice Calc

Overview

LibreOffice Calc skill for creating, editing, converting, and automating spreadsheet workflows using the native ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) format.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Creating new spreadsheets in ODS format
• Converting between ODS, XLSX, CSV, PDF formats
• Automating data processing and analysis
• Creating formulas, charts, and pivot tables
• Batch processing spreadsheet operations

Core Capabilities

1. Spreadsheet Creation

• Create new ODS spreadsheets from scratch
• Generate spreadsheets from templates
• Create data entry forms
• Build dashboards and reports

2. Format Conversion

• ODS to other formats: XLSX, CSV, PDF, HTML
• Other formats to ODS: XLSX, XLS, CSV, DBF
• Batch conversion of multiple files

3. Data Automation

• Formula automation and calculations
• Data import from CSV, database, APIs
• Data export to various formats
• Batch data processing

4. Data Analysis

• Pivot tables and data summarization
• Statistical functions and analysis
• Data validation and filtering
• Conditional formatting

5. Integration

• Command-line automation via soffice
• Python scripting with UNO
• Database connectivity

Workflows

Creating a New Spreadsheet

Method 1: Command-Line

soffice --calc template.ods

Method 2: Python with UNO

import uno

def create_spreadsheet():
    local_ctx = uno.getComponentContext()
    resolver = local_ctx.ServiceManager.createInstanceWithContext(
        "com.sun.star.bridge.UnoUrlResolver", local_ctx
    )
    ctx = resolver.resolve(
        "uno:socket,host=localhost,port=8100;urp;StarOffice.ComponentContext"
    )
    smgr = ctx.ServiceManager
    doc = smgr.createInstanceWithContext("com.sun.star.sheet.SpreadsheetDocument", ctx)
    sheets = doc.getSheets()
    sheet = sheets.getByIndex(0)
    cell = sheet.getCellByPosition(0, 0)
    cell.setString("Hello from LibreOffice Calc!")
    doc.storeToURL("file:///path/to/spreadsheet.ods", ())
    doc.close(True)

Method 3: Using ezodf

import ezodf

doc = ezodf.newdoc('ods', 'spreadsheet.ods')
sheet = doc.sheets[0]
sheet['A1'].set_value('Hello')
sheet['B1'].set_value('World')
doc.save()

Converting Spreadsheets

# ODS to XLSX
soffice --headless --convert-to xlsx spreadsheet.ods

# ODS to CSV
soffice --headless --convert-to csv spreadsheet.ods

# ODS to PDF
soffice --headless --convert-to pdf spreadsheet.ods

# XLSX to ODS
soffice --headless --convert-to ods spreadsheet.xlsx

# Batch convert
for file in *.ods; do
    soffice --headless --convert-to xlsx "$file"
done

Formula Automation

import uno

def create_formula_spreadsheet():
    local_ctx = uno.getComponentContext()
    resolver = local_ctx.ServiceManager.createInstanceWithContext(
        "com.sun.star.bridge.UnoUrlResolver", local_ctx
    )
    ctx = resolver.resolve(
        "uno:socket,host=localhost,port=8100;urp;StarOffice.ComponentContext"
    )
    smgr = ctx.ServiceManager
    doc = smgr.createInstanceWithContext("com.sun.star.sheet.SpreadsheetDocument", ctx)
    sheet = doc.getSheets().getByIndex(0)
    
    sheet.getCellByPosition(0, 0).setDoubleValue(100)
    sheet.getCellByPosition(0, 1).setDoubleValue(200)
    
    cell = sheet.getCellByPosition(0, 2)
    cell.setFormula("SUM(A1:A2)")
    
    doc.storeToURL("file:///path/to/formulas.ods", ())
    doc.close(True)

Format Conversion Reference

Supported Input Formats

• ODS (native), XLSX, XLS, CSV, DBF, HTML

Supported Output Formats

• ODS, XLSX, XLS, CSV, PDF, HTML

Command-Line Reference

soffice --headless
soffice --headless --convert-to <format> <file>
soffice --calc  # Calc

Python Libraries

pip install ezodf     # ODS handling
pip install odfpy     # ODF manipulation
pip install pandas    # Data analysis

Best Practices

1. Use named ranges for clarity
2. Document complex formulas
3. Use data validation for input control
4. Create templates for recurring reports
5. Store ODS source files in version control
6. Test conversions thoroughly
7. Use CSV for data exchange
8. Handle conversion failures gracefully

Troubleshooting

Cannot open socket

killall soffice.bin
soffice --headless --accept="socket,host=localhost,port=8100;urp;"

Resources

• LibreOffice Calc Guide
• UNO API Reference
• ezodf Documentation

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