Gnumeric and HTML

When I was working on the last version of RichStyle project, a sub-project emerged. It was the HTML5/CSS3 Quick References. The main challenge at that time was choosing the right spreadsheet application that helps me generate the best PDF file out of it. At the same time, my loyal to CSS has led me to another challenge; I had to use Prince XML along with RichStyle library to generate the desired PDF file.

Back to the spreadsheet application issue, I decided to use Gnumeric rather than OpenOffice Calc. It’s my absolute commitment to GNOME.

So, the whole process had to pass through three conversion processes, and four file formats!

In order to simplify this process, Gnumeric should show more commitment to HTML standards as much as possible.

• TH cells: There should be a kind of cells called Title cell, represented by TH tag.
• Improved links: Internal links should use ID attribute as the target’s address, exactly the way XHTML 1.1 does.
• Support CLASS attribute for cells, rows, and columns.
• Cell padding: Using CSS, user should be able to adjust a cell’s padding from the “Format cells” dialog.
• TBody for grouping.

Once user wants to export to HTML, Gnumeric should consider the following:

• Metadata: Metadata of the Gnumeric file should be resented by and exported to standard HTML metadata.
• Export printing area only.
• Except hidden sheets.

With the following options:

• Represent each sheet name as: caption/h1/h2/h3/h4.
• Formulas: Dynamic/Static.
• Print a formula report: e.g. A5 = A1 * 2.

Finally, regardless HTML, I wish I could see the following features in Gnumeric:

• Rotate: A command under Tools menu to convert rows to columns and vice versa.
• Using unit instead of currency: as a type of Number, i.e. I can use meter, pound, or any other unit; not just currency.
• An ability to distinguish formula cells (kind of conditional format).