gilgil / rtd-extension

This is a Python based extension for LibreOffice Calc to make real-time data (RTD) available in Calc spreadsheets

RTD-Extension

Version 1.0.0 is here

Overview

This is a Python based extension for LibreOffice Calc to make real-time data available in Calc spreadsheets. It is a simple implementation similar to Microsoft Excel RTD() function

This implementation is based on https://github.com/cmallwitz/Financials-Extension Cheers mate, it would've been impossible without your code

Feedback requested:

Please provide feedback about using the extension here

Usage:

Under 'Releases' on GitHub there is a downloadable RTD-Extension.oxt file - load it into Calc under menu item: Tools, Extension Manager...

Please make sure, not to rename the OXT file when downloading and before installing: LO will mess up the installation otherwise and the extension won't work.

1. Getting data should be as simple as having this in a cell: =RTD("key")

2. Now, in a different cell, type =RTD("__start") and a TCP listener will be started waiting for incoming data.

3. Next, data needs to be sent using a socket to port 13000. If you wish to manually test it, open up a telnet in a terminal: telnet localhost 13000. In the telnet, write '<key|example_data>' and then press ENTER. The cell with the formula =RTD("key") (from section 1) will now show "example_data" instead of "None"

Build:

You will need the LibreOffice SDK installed.

On my system (Ubuntu) I downloaded both LibreOffice & LibreOffice SDK from https://www.libreoffice.org/ and followed the instructions

# depending on your location...

cd ~/RTD-Extension/

# This builds file RTD-Extension.oxt

./compile.sh

Tested with:

• Ubuntu 18.04.5 / LibreOffice Calc 7.5.3.2 / Python 2.7.17

rtd-extension's Issues

Examples and/or Documentation needed

Please add more comprehensive documentation and some examples.

I've tried RTD in Excel 365 and Calc using this extension. Data source is thinkorswim Excel export to RTD. (The tos export to Calc is DDE.)
It should be simple enough according to the github instructions for this extensions but I can't get it to work.

When I do it in Excel, it just works like magic and all the data updates realtime.
But in Calc the RTD() parameters may be different because it's expecting "key", which I don't know what that is.
In Excel the documentation says:
=RTD (ProgID, Server, Topic, Item)

But in this Calc extension I think Topic=key perhaps?
Or Item=key maybe?
And there is no ProgID?
Or maybe there is just 1, 2, or 3 parameters it's expecting?

In any case, I'm just guessing at trial and error, and the cell mouseover popout help just says:
[RTD]: Fetches Realtime Data

There are no parameters and trial and error guessing is not really possible.
This extension would be infinitely valuable to the LO community if it could be used easily and straight forward, but as of 02/2024 I doubt anyone has gotten actual data into Calc using this.

I understand, yes, the source code is all there and a true hardcore should be able to read Python, C++, forge a sword, field assemble an AR15 blindfolded, wrestle a crocodile, and rebuild a car transmission from spare parts. But users of this extension are usually analysts and traders, spending 80+ hours/week analyzing and trading, not Python coders.

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