Ad Hoc Grids in Smart Forms for Client-Side Formula Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implementations of Oracle Hyperion Planning limit users' flexibility and functionality when entering and using Excel formulas, as they can only be applied to rows and columns created by grid labels, restricting ad-hoc grid calculations and requiring server trips for formula execution.
Innovation Solution
Implementing client-side calculations using Grid Labels as placeholders for Excel formulas in ad-hoc forms, allowing formulas to be executed on the client machine without adding metadata, supported by both Smart View UI and Planning Web UI, enabling formulas for rows and columns at the cell level and supporting SmartForms with extended formatting features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Excel formulas are applied only to rows and columns created by grid labels, then server processing control is maintained, but user flexibility and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the formula application capability into two independent parts: grid labels (created by the system) and ad-hoc rows/columns (created by users). This allows formulas to be applied independently to any row or column regardless of whether they are grid labels, thereby increasing user flexibility without requiring changes to the core grid label mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the Excel formula application universal by enabling it to work with both grid labels and ad-hoc rows/columns through the same interface and mechanism. The formula bar and calculation engine serve multiple functions: handling system-defined grid labels and user-defined ad-hoc elements equally, thus improving versatility without adding separate complex systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ad-hoc grids are created without grid labels, then user freedom is increased, but the ability to save and reuse formulas is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing template ad-hoc grids that come pre-configured with commonly used Excel formulas and formatting. Users can select from pre-defined templates for income statements, balance sheets, and other financial statements, which already contain appropriate grid labels, formulas, and structure. This allows users to quickly deploy standardized grids without manually creating everything from scratch, ensuring both freedom and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables copying functionality where users can replicate existing ad-hoc grids and their associated formulas to new contexts. Once a grid with formulas is created and validated, it can be copied and reused multiple times, ensuring formula persistence and reliability while maintaining user freedom to create and modify as needed.
3Productivity
If calculations are performed on the server, then centralized control is maintained, but processing time and server load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the Excel formula calculation engine from the server environment and places it on the client machine. The Smart View application on the client side contains a built-in Excel calculation engine that can evaluate Excel formulas locally without requiring server trips. This extraction dramatically improves calculation speed and reduces server load, while the server retains centralized control over data storage and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the client application to perform calculations independently using its own embedded Excel engine. The client can evaluate formulas, perform calculations, and display results without requiring continuous server intervention. The server only needs to provide the initial data and formula definitions, after which the client handles all calculation operations autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method can include creating an adhoc grid responsive to a user request, adding an extra row to the adhoc grid responsive to another user request, entering into the extra row a cell formula specified by the user, and saving the adhoc grid as a smart form, wherein the smart form is a form that is configured to have adhoc grids that contain grid labels as well as business calculations that are based on cell formulas.