Storing objects in a spreadsheet

Details Storing objects in a spreadsheet Storing objects in a spreadsheet

2006-08-29

2006-08-29

Wong, Leslie (Department: 2164)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C715S252000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07099890

ABSTRACT:
A spreadsheet application provides a rich programming and modeling environment. The spreadsheet application of the present invention does this by recognizing a new “object” data type in addition to the conventional spreadsheet data types: numbers, text, date, Boolean, and error. The object data type can be used to create an instance of an external object and store the object in a cell of a spreadsheet. Once an object has been created in a spreadsheet, the object can be invoked or accessed from any other cell or formula in the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet application of the present invention provides several special object functions that operate to enable a user to create and invoke an object. A user can directly call functions from objects that are installed on a local or remote machine, by integrating an object function within a spreadsheet formula. Thus, the user is provided with a tool for integrating outside data services into a spreadsheet and may take advantage of pre-existing objects.

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