Automatic formatting of pivot table reports within a spreadsheet
US6626959B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F40/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Automatically formatting a spreadsheet pivot table using one of a plurality of predefined formats that include banded report formats and tabular report formats. The pivot table is reformatted automatically, based on a user selection of a predefined banded table or tabular format. Alternatively, the format of an original pivot table or a reformatted pivot table may be changed based on user choices made from a plurality of formatting dialogs. The automatically and modified formats include field emphasis, positioning of group totals, and insertion of blank lines. The predefined formats include a variety of different font styles, colors, backgrounds and borders. A reformatted pivot table has an enhanced appearance, while maintaining the full-functionality associated with a spreadsheet pivot table. The underlying format of a reformatted pivot table is maintained, allowing a user to move, add, or delete fields and add or remove calculated data without altering the overall format of the reformatted pivot table.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.