Spreadsheet Template Dynamic Dimension Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreadsheet templates lack dynamic dimension range determination and mapping capabilities, limiting their ability to efficiently generate customizable and data-driven spreadsheets for enterprise budgeting and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method for creating a spreadsheet template that dynamically determines dimension ranges and maps cells to remote application objects, allowing for dynamic generation of dimension ranges and data input, facilitated by a user device connecting to a remote application for authentication and data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If spreadsheet templates use predefined cell ranges and formulas, then time is saved in data organization and analysis, but the templates lack dynamic dimension range determination and mapping capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic dimension ranges that automatically adjust based on data sources. The template engine retrieves dimension ranges from remote applications at runtime, allowing the spreadsheet structure to adapt dynamically rather than relying on static predefined ranges. This resolves the contradiction by making the template both time-efficient through automation and adaptable through dynamic range determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a template engine as an intermediary between the spreadsheet template and remote data sources. This intermediary component handles the mapping between template cells and remote application objects, enabling dynamic dimension range determination while maintaining the time-saving benefits of template-based organization. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by automating the adaptation process.
2Ease of operation
If spreadsheet templates are simple and easy to use, then ease of operation is improved, but they lack mapping capabilities to remote application objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mapping where the template engine automatically maps template cells to remote application objects without requiring manual configuration by the user. The system retrieves dimension ranges and establishes mappings autonomously, maintaining ease of operation while incorporating sophisticated mapping capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by automating the complex mapping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The template engine acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of mapping between spreadsheet templates and remote application objects. Users interact with the simple template interface while the intermediary engine manages the complex mapping logic in the background, resolving the contradiction between ease of use and mapping capabilities.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spreadsheet templates use predefined structures, then consistency is maintained, but they cannot dynamically adapt to different data sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a hybrid approach where the template structure provides consistency through predefined layouts and formulas, while the dimension ranges and data mappings are dynamically determined from remote sources. This allows the template to maintain compositional stability in its structure while adapting its content and scope dynamically, resolving the contradiction between consistency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the template into static structural elements (layouts, formulas) and dynamic content elements (dimension ranges, data mappings). The static segments maintain consistency while the dynamic segments adapt to different data sources, resolving the contradiction by allowing different parts of the template to serve different purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating a spreadsheet template to facilitate creation of a spreadsheet is disclosed. The method comprises determining at least one dimension for the spreadsheet; creating logic to dynamically determine a dimension range for each dimension when the spreadsheet template is run, and saving said logic in a memory device; and creating logic to map each cell within each dimension range to a remote application object.