Methods for composing formulas in an electronic spreadsheet system
US5603021A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F40/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electronic spreadsheet system of the present invention includes a Formula Composer having a preferred interface and methods for assisting a user with composing spreadsheet formulas. The Composer provides the user with simultaneous formula outline and subexpression (text) views of a given formula. Using the formula outline view, the user may isolate a particular portion (subexpression) of a formula for editing. The Formula Composer also provides a Formula Expert, which is displayed by the system upon the user selecting a spreadsheet function in a formula being edited. In addition to providing specific information about the selected spreadsheet function, the Formula Expert provides input fields which are specific for the arguments of the selected function. Moreover, the Formula Expert includes mode expressions or "templates" for assisting users in inputting correct argument information. Using pattern matching technique, the system may employ the templates for eliminating common user input mistakes. Methods are described for synchronizing the various views of the Formula Composer, so that a modification to the formula being edited by the user in one view is automatically and immedi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.