[Solved] Using Android Phone

[Larry1700]

I downloaded a large database onto my Android phone so I can take it with me. I used Dropbox. I want to be able to use the "search" feature but I don't see the tool bar at the top, like I do on my laptop. I'm used to using the "Ctrl - F" to use the search feature. Can anyone out there help this old Luddite? Thank you very much.

[Villeroy]

You need an Android app to handle the specific type of database. This has nothing to do with any kind of office suite.

[Larry1700]

thank you very much - I do have AndrOpen Office 4.5.8 app installed on my phone. Now what do I do? Thank you

[Villeroy]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... e&hl=en_US
That app has not Base component.

[Larry1700]

thank you very much again but when I clicked on that link it took me to the exact same app which I already installed

[robleyd]

You may have misunderstood what Villeroy was saying - the Android OpenOffice app doesn't have the Base component to read databases.

In other words, you can't do what you want to with AndrOpenOffice.

[Larry1700]

Thank you Robleyd and "G'day" to you. Yes, I completely misunderstood. My apologies and thanks again to you all for trying to help this old Luddite.

If I copied my Open Office database to an Excel spreadsheet, would I then have a "search" function to use?

[RusselB]

Imo, based on what I've read, you'd be better to forget using your phone and work with a laptop, or maybe a tablet.
Changing from database to spreadsheet is not something I'd recommend, presuming that you could do it.
There may be database functions in use that aren't available via spreadsheet.

[Larry1700]

thanks again - this is all way too confusing for an old guy like me. I thought the Open Office spreadsheet is... a spreadsheet. Not sure what you mean by "database function" but I'll figure something out. Thank you again all.

[RusselB]

The OpenOffice spreadsheet, called Calc, is a spreadsheet, but you said you were working with a database.
While a spreadsheet can be used as a very simple database, if you're already working with a database, then it may be more complex than what a spreadsheet can handle.
If you have to use your android phone and need a database, I suggest doing this Google search
You may get different results from what I did based on your location.
That search is set with the following parameters: free database software for android.

[Larry1700]

RussellB, please understand that I'm a total Luddite. When I said "database," I meant that in the generic sense, ie., a large amount of information about a specific topic or subject. I entered the data -- it happens to be a catalog of all the recordings I own (LPs, cassettes, CDs) -- into Open Office Spreadsheet. I want to carry this with me when I go to record stores, etc., so I don't buy the same recording twice. Again my apologies and thank you. It is almost cocktail hour...I am very glad.

[robleyd]

So you actually have a spreadsheet you want to search. I doubt anyone here uses the Android app; but let's try some things. Is there a menu across the top of the window with options like File, Edit and so forth? If so, try under Edit looking for Find.

There is a (sort of) "support" site for the app at https://andropenoffice.blogspot.com/; you might find some useful information there.

By the way, Luddite may not mean what you think it does

Nowadays, the term is often used to describe someone that is opposed or resistant to new technologies.

[Larry1700]

My dictionary says it is .."a person opposed to new technology or ways of working." I'm 67 years old, hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Definitely "resistant!!!"

No, there is no menu on the top of the Android app (like there is on the desktop version) which is why I posted this question in the first place.

[RoryOF]

The Luddites were machine-breakers of circa 1800, who commenced by breaking stocking frames (prototype knitting machines) and moved on to breaking mechanised mill machinery for weaving and spinning., They were called "Luddites" because they were supposedly named after a Ned Ludd, who was suggested to be the first frame-breaker, although this personage is generally reckoned to be a fictitious invention.

They were so successful that the English Parliament made machine-breaking a capital crime.

[robleyd]

I'm 67 years old

I don’t know what is going on with the young people these days! Would you agree RoryOF?

[RoryOF]

He's a mere chicken, robleyd; In Pickwick Papers, old Tony Weller said that "Width and wisdom always grow together."

[Larry1700]

I'm being challenged on two continents! This old "Yank" is out numbered!!

[robleyd]

One last thought on this and then I am out of ideas. I recall there being a "button" on my old Galaxy S2 to the left of the Home button (or however it is called on Android) which IIRC* brought up a list of options related to the open application. Found the old phone and in fact the button behaves as described. Perhaps your device also has that feature.

* [If I Remember Correctly]

[Larry1700]

Thanks again - my "burner phone" doesn't have that feature

[Villeroy]

We still have no idea what kind of animal your database actually is, which application has been used to create that thing, from where you downloaded the thing. We know absolutely nothing about your problem.
In order to do something with any type of data(base) you need a software which is prepared to
a) run on the availlable computer system
b) handle the specific type of data in useful ways
And we don't know what a "large database" is. Thousands of records? Millions? Billions?

[Larry1700]

thank you - everyone here has been very kind, very helpful. May I respectfully request that we close this matter at this time. I think I have figured out a solution to my "problem." Thank you again everyone.