Importing and exporting markup language data in a spreadsheet application document

US7640493B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Robert C. Collie · Kirkland, US
• Chad Rothschiller · Edmonds, US
• Ulrich Homann · Kirkland, US
• Joseph Chirilov · Kirkland, US
• Kelly J. Lynch · Redmond, US
• Ramakrishnan Natarajan · Redmond, US
• Eoin Burke · Seattle, US
• Juha Niemisto · Mercer Island, US
• Michael J. McCormack · Snohomish, US
• Parul Dalia · Kirkland, US
• Marise Chan · Redmond, US
• James Rivera · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 2006
• Grant date: Dec 29, 2009
• Expiry date: Mar 18, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S707/99943
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Extensible markup language data in an extensible markup language (such as XML) is associated with a schema file for defining data types and data type definitions for applying data to the document. A map is prepared that relates that any extensible markup data applied to the document back to corresponding elements or attributes defined in the associated schema file. When the document is imported into a spreadsheet application grid, the data map is parsed to find XPATHs which determine the location, data types and user data for each cell or list object in the document related to the schema file. The cells and lists are populated with the extensible markup data and user data, and rendered according to formatting dictated by the extensible markup data applied to the document. The document may be exported such that the extensible markup data is maintained for subsequent import and use.