Function Builder for Spreadsheet Formula Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spreadsheet systems face challenges in allowing users to correctly enter and understand complex cell formulas, manage formula syntax, and reuse formulas, leading to errors and inefficiencies in creating and editing financial models.
Innovation Solution
An electronic mathematical model builder that includes a function builder for creating and storing mathematical relations between cells, allowing users to define input and output cells independently, and providing tools for editing and renaming functions, which separates data from the user interface and enables drag-and-drop construction of formulas using software components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spreadsheet systems are used to enter and manage complex cell formulas, then users can perform numerical analyses and financial calculations, but users face difficulties in correctly entering and understanding complex cell formulas, managing formula syntax, and reusing formulas, leading to errors and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the formula management process into distinct components: a function builder interface that separates formula creation from cell entry, a library of reusable functions, and automated syntax validation. This segmentation allows users to build formulas through a guided interface rather than manually entering complex syntax, thereby improving both accuracy and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary function builder interface that mediates between the user and the underlying spreadsheet formula syntax. This intermediary provides a user-friendly interface for constructing formulas, automatically handles syntax requirements, and manages formula reuse through a library system, eliminating the need for users to directly manage complex syntax while maintaining reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional spreadsheet systems provide millions of cells for data entry, then users can organize large datasets, but most cells are not visible and users must scroll or open different windows to manage the spreadsheet model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimensional organization for spreadsheet data by implementing a hierarchical structure with sheets, ranges, and cells. This multi-dimensional organization allows users to navigate large datasets through logical groupings rather than linear scrolling, making it easier to manage and access large numbers of cells without requiring users to view the entire spreadsheet at once.
3Productivity
If data and formulas are stored in the same spreadsheet cells, then the spreadsheet can perform calculations, but it is not easy for a spreadsheet user to document a spreadsheet model or ensure that the model gives the correct result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spreadsheet model into distinct components: data storage areas, formula definition areas through the function builder, and documentation areas. This segmentation allows formulas to be clearly distinguished from data, and provides dedicated spaces for documenting model assumptions and logic, preventing the loss of critical model information while maintaining calculation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary documentation system that mediates between the spreadsheet calculations and the model documentation. This system automatically captures formula logic and assumptions through the function builder interface, creating a separate documentation layer that preserves model information without interfering with the calculation engine's operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the field of information processing by digital computers and, more particularly, to the entry and processing of information by application programs, particularly spreadsheets. The present invention is an electronic mathematical model builder that comprises a memory for storage of data, a processor for defining addressable sets of cells stored in the memory with a unique identifier, for entering data into the cells and for processing data stored in the cells, a user interface with a display for displaying sets of cells in a work area and means for creating and positioning sets of cells in the work area and inputting data to be entered into the cells, and a function builder for building mathematical relations between cells, comprising fields for user specification of a desired function by mathematical operators and input variables of the function, and set of destination cells containing values of the function.