Spreadsheet Formula Complexity Feedback During Table Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreadsheet interaction processes often result in suboptimal user experiences due to inefficiencies in determining and displaying formula complexity, leading to prolonged processing times and user confusion.
Innovation Solution
An interaction method and apparatus that determine and display overall complexity representation data of a formula based on the complexity of its minimum computation units, incorporating dependency analysis and adjustment suggestions to optimize formula editing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If formula complexity is calculated using traditional methods, then computation is simpler, but user experience deteriorates due to prolonged processing times and lack of real-time feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the formula into minimum computation units (MCUs) and calculates complexity for each unit independently. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different formula parts, significantly reducing overall computation time while providing granular complexity data for real-time user feedback during formula editing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores complexity representation data for each minimum computation unit. When a formula is edited, the system retrieves pre-computed MCU complexities and combines them, rather than recalculating from scratch. This preliminary action eliminates redundant computations and enables instant complexity feedback to users.
2Loss of information
If formula complexity analysis is performed in real-time, then user feedback is improved, but computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different complexity calculation strategies to different parts of the formula based on their characteristics. Simple MCUs use cached complexity values, while complex or modified MCUs undergo detailed analysis. This localized approach ensures accurate complexity information is provided only where necessary, optimizing the balance between information quality and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from raw computational complexity to a simplified complexity representation data structure. This transformation reduces the computational burden of storing and transmitting complexity information while preserving the essential characteristics needed for user feedback and formula optimization.
3Measurement precision
If dependency relationships between formulas are analyzed, then accuracy of complexity data is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dependency analysis into individual MCU-level dependencies rather than analyzing entire formula dependencies. This granular segmentation allows the system to track which specific MCUs reference which data sources, enabling precise complexity calculation without the overhead of analyzing complete formula interdependencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and analyzes only the essential dependency relationships between MCUs and their data sources, separating critical dependency information from unnecessary processing details. This extraction focuses computational effort on the most impactful dependencies that actually affect formula complexity, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an interaction method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a computer-readable medium. The method includes: when a table content editing page corresponding to a target table is being displayed, after a formula editing operation triggered for the table content editing page is received, determining overall complexity representation data of a target formula corresponding to the formula editing operation, and displaying the overall complexity representation data on the table content editing page, such that a user can view the overall complexity representation data of the target formula in as much real time as possible after editing the target formula.