Tables, like in Word

[rexboggs5]

Someday I would like to be able to create a table in AS in much the same way that I create one in Word - just click on a button and drag the lower right corner to set the number of rows and columns.

And of course be able to merge cells, split cells, shade cells, win the Lotto ...;)

Cheers

Rex

[simongreen]

like your ideas Rex although I suppose there's a balance between what is needed in a teaching software and what is needed in terms of word processing capabilities...

Particularly liked the last idea...:-/ although I'm aiming for the Euromillions jackpot personally...!!

[Peter Lambert]

Just flying a kite here ...

Could you create a table in Word and drag and drop it into the flipchart?
Haven't tried it myself :o

[simongreen]

Hi Pete, Rex,

I did try to drag a table onto a flipchart, but it didn't seem to work, unless I'm missing something... :confused:

There are a few get-arounds...
You could snapshot the table in Word and send it to your flipchart page... and it can be quite simple to create tables using grids, the Pen Modifier toolbox and Snap to Grid...

[Peter Lambert]

:mad: Yeah, I tried it too today, I don't think we are missing anything :confused:

[rexboggs5]

There are lots of ways to create tables for flipcharts, but they are all less than ideal. Recently I have created lots of blank tables with various combinations of rows and columns and saved them in my library. I also create tables in Word and photograph them and drop a picture of them into Word. One can also add a grid to a page and use that to draw the table on the flipchart itself.

But none of these is as easy as how I create a table in Word - I just click and drag on a button to choose the number of rows and columns. The flipchart options aren't even close in terms of ease of use.

So a feature request -

Have a table button in design mode that works as the one in Word does, but that produces a picture of a table with my choice of the number of rows and columns. This would be even better than Word, because I can then drag the corners to get the size and shape that I want.

Also have a menu choice with a dialog box that allows more control, e.g. besides choosing number of rows and number of columns, also allow choice of width and colour of the lines. And maybe even row height and column width, for those that want ultimate control.

I would be more than happy with the above. But what I would _really_ like is....

Also allow folks to click on each cell to open the text editor, allowing text to easily be added.

Thus endth my feature request :)

Cheers

Rex

[simongreen]

Hi Rex, I was wondering if version 3's Grid Designer could be adapted in some way to do something similar to what you suggest (not that I have clue about these things...!)

[Piman]

I don't believe that AS should move too much towards a word processor environment; something is bound to suffer, if only clarity of use. V3, while receiving many plaudits from me, is already beginning to feel a 'bit heavy' for an interactive environment (though I realise that this has been anticipated through the "modes feature").

Personally I use the abundant table facilities in Word to create exactly what I want and then use the camera tool - it works well. Always save the Word document as well (with a similar filename) so that you can go back and make changes, if necessary, at a later date. I suspect that this is always going to be quicker than any table facility that AS may acquire so why bother? Concentrate on developing the great and unique features that AS does and can offer.

:rolleyes:

[Peter Lambert]

Piman, I feel I must applaud you [clap] - and a newbie as well. You have hit the nail on the head! We have always worked on the premise that some software applications are developed at $£Multi-Million cost and will do certain jobs really well, indeed those jobs that they were created to do. Activstudio does what it is supposed to do as well. We could never hope to replicate Powerpoint effects, Excel's charting capability, Word's text and font characteristics. However, you would be hard pushed to find a software app that was better designed for pen on board activity, together with the capability to utilise web and other software apps functionality; either including them into flipcharts by drag and drop or by screen/area capture. Having said all that I would love to have a table facility in Activ software, also a dictionary, a Thesaurus, a charting application, a multiple dice application with many sided dice etc. etc. But, we must always bear in mind the useablity factor and the fact that the complexity of the program bewildering the user, makes it difficult for a new user to get to grips with the software. Usability will remain our top priority- the dashboard in V3 is a prime example - although we all love software features and enhancements, we have to keep a balance.

Rant over ;)

[simongreen]

Hi all,
Just to stick my two penn'orth in, yes Piman (and Pete), I totally agree...! Especially as teachers just don't have time to come to grips with hundreds of fiddly options...
Simon

[daverosthorn]

Would be very useful to be able to create tables in AS2 really easily. I know that Promethean's argument is often in regards to interactiveness (is that even a word?!) but imo (in my opinion) it depends what you do..

Dave

[davidlloyd]

interactiveness (is that even a word?!)
Dave
Looks like it is now! :D