Assured Reference Records for Spreadsheet Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud-based spreadsheets face issues with unintended modifications, where users may inadvertently delete or add lines, leading to incorrect data access for subsequent users, as changes are not always detected or validated.
Innovation Solution
The system generates an assured reference record for each spreadsheet entry, including an assurance value and a reference, which is stored in an assured reference file. This record allows for validation of entry changes, ensuring correct data access and maintaining data integrity across multiple access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based spreadsheets allow multiple users to access and modify data, then collaboration and data sharing are improved, but data integrity and reference accuracy deteriorate due to unintended modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating assurance values and creating assured reference records for spreadsheet entries before any modifications occur. These records are stored in advance, establishing a baseline for future validation. When users access or modify the spreadsheet, the system can compare current state against these pre-established references to detect unintended changes and maintain data integrity across collaborative environments.
2Ease of operation
If the spreadsheet structure is simplified for ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to detect and validate changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - the assured reference record containing assurance values - that sits between the simple spreadsheet interface and the complex change detection requirements. This intermediary layer automatically generates and stores reference information without requiring users to manually track changes, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling robust change detection and validation through the assurance value comparisons.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes establishing a connection with a spreadsheet at a source location, receiving at least one selected field from an entry in the spreadsheet at the source location, and generating an assured reference record for the entry using at least one value in the at least one selected field. The assured reference record includes an assurance value and a reference to the entry at the source location. The method further includes storing, at a second location, the assured reference record in an assured reference file associated with the spreadsheet. The method further includes validating, after storing the assured reference record, the reference to the first entry in the spreadsheet at the source location using the first assurance value in the assured reference record.