Selective Document Cell Publishing for Collaborative Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud-based document collaboration platforms lack the ability to selectively publish changes made by users, forcing all edits to be shared with collaborators, which is not always desirable.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to partially publish edits to a document by displaying linked versions of cells in a document, enabling users to choose which edits to publish, and automatically publishing edits to cells referenced by common formulas, while keeping other edits private.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time unrestricted editing is enabled for all collaborators, then collaboration efficiency is improved, but loss of information control worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments edit publishing into selective portions by allowing users to choose which cells or ranges to publish individually. This segmentation enables granular control over information sharing while maintaining the ability to collaborate efficiently on the entire document.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts publishing behavior based on user selections. Users can switch between publishing modes (individual cells, ranges, or all edits) and the system responds in real-time, making information control flexible rather than static.
2Reliability
If all edits are published by default, then transparency is improved, but privacy control worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different publishing behaviors for different parts of the document. Users can publish specific cells or ranges while keeping others private, creating localized transparency where needed while maintaining privacy elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the document state before publishing and allows users to selectively include or exclude specific edits in the published version. This copying mechanism enables transparency for selected portions while maintaining privacy for others.
3Adaptability or versatility
If selective publishing is added to document collaboration, then privacy control is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by integrating selective publishing into the existing document collaboration interface. Users interact with familiar elements (cells, ranges, formulas) while gaining new publishing control, avoiding the need for separate complex interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically handles the complexity of tracking which edits should be published based on user selections. When users mark cells for publishing, the system autonomously determines which formulas and linked documents need updating, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
4Stability of the object's composition
If edits are made to linked versions of cells, then data consistency is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to users by displaying which cells are linked and how changes propagate. When users make edits to linked versions, the system shows the impact on other documents, helping users understand the consequences and making the operation more intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
Before allowing edits to linked versions, the system preliminarily identifies and highlights all affected cells and documents. This advance warning enables users to prepare for the complexity by understanding the full scope of changes before executing the edit.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for partially publishing edits to a document is described. A first document including a first cell and a second cell is displayed on first user account on a first computing device and on a second user account. A second document including a linked version of the first cell and a linked version of the second cell is displayed. An edit of the first cell is received from the first user account and an edit of the second cell is received. In response to receiving an indication from the first user account that the edit of the first cell is to be published, the edit of the first cell is made to the linked version of the first cell, while the linked version of the second cell is unchanged so that the content of the linked version of the second cell no longer matches that of the second cell.