US5890174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for constructing a formula in a spreadsheet
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1995-11-16
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Granted: 1999-03-30
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Expires: 2015-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for assisting a user in constructing a formula in a cell of a spreadsheet operating on a computer system. A function dialog box is displayed that lists various functions that may be selected by the user to be entered into the formula. By selecting a button in the function dialog box, an insert function dialog box is displayed that lists additional functions by category. When the user selects a function, a parameter dialog box associated with the selected function is displayed. Parameters may include cell addresses as well as numerical or other data entered directly by the user. The parameter dialog box displays the formula as it is being constructed. After the parameters have been entered, a result dialog box is displayed that allows the user to select the result cell in which to place the formula. The user selects the result cell and the result dialog box is removed from the display screen, the formula is entered in the result cell, and the result of the formula is displayed in the result cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Karan Khanna
- 👤 Edward A. Martinez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/177; G06F40/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
In association with a computer system, a method for constructing a formula in a cell of a spreadsheet, comprising the steps of: displaying a first dialog box that lists selectable functions; accepting the selection of one of the functions for insertion into the formula; displaying a second dialog box for the selection of parameters for the selected function; accepting the selection of parameters; and inserting the resultant formula into a result cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
In association with a computer system, a method for constructing a formula in a cell of a spreadsheet, comprising the steps of: displaying a first dialog box that lists selectable functions; accepting the selection of one of the functions for insertion into the formula; displaying a second dialog box for the selection of parameters for the selected function; accepting the selection of parameters; and inserting the resultant formula into a result cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising, before said inserting step: displaying a third dialog box for selecting the result cell in which the formula is to be placed; and accepting the selection of the desired result cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein a default result cell is identified as the current cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first dialog box includes a description of the selected function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first dialog box includes instructions for selecting parameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first dialog box lists a plurality of predetermined, commonly-used functions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein other functions are displayed by selecting a button in the first dialog box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the other functions are displayed in lists associated with a plurality of categories of functions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein one category displays a predetermined number of functions that have been most recently selected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parameters include at least one cell address identifying a cell in the spreadsheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the cell address is selected by clicking on the cell with a mouse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the parameters include a contiguous block of cells that are selected by dragging a mouse over the block of cells.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the parameters are selected by typing the cell addresses on a keyboard.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second dialog box displays suggested parameters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the suggested parameters include cells in the same column above the current cell including the cell adjacent to the current cell and all contiguous cells filled with data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the suggested parameters include cells in the same row to the left of the current cell including the cell adjacent to the current cell and all contiguous cells filled with data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer system, including a program module that displays cells of a spreadsheet on a display, for constructing a formula in a cell of said spreadsheet, comprising: means for displaying a first dialog box that lists selectable functions; means for accepting the selection of one of said functions for insertion into said formula; means for displaying a second dialog box for the selection of parameters for said selected function; means for accepting the selection of said parameters; and means for inserting the resultant formula into a result cell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer system, including a program module that displays cells of a spreadsheet on a display, for constructing a formula in a cell of said spreadsheet, comprising: means for displaying a first dialog box that lists selectable functions; means for accepting the selection of one of said functions for insertion into said formula; means for displaying a second dialog box for the selection of parameters for said selected function; means for accepting the selection of said parameters; and means for inserting the resultant formula into a result cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 17 further comprising: means for displaying a third dialog box for selecting said result cell in which said formula is to be placed; and means for accepting the selection of said desired result cell.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 18 wherein a default result cell is identified as the current cell.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said first dialog box includes a description of said selected function.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said first dialog box includes instructions for selecting said parameters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said first dialog box lists a plurality of predetermined, commonly-used functions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 22 wherein other functions are displayed by selecting a button in said first dialog box.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said other functions are displayed in lists associated with a plurality of categories of functions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 24 wherein one said category displays a predetermined number of functions that have been most recently selected.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said parameters include at least one cell address identifying a cell in said spreadsheet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the cell address is selected by clicking on said cell with a mouse.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said parameters include a contiguous block of cells that are selected by dragging a mouse over the block of cells.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said parameters are selected by typing the cell addresses on a keyboard.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said second dialog box displays suggested parameters.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 30 wherein said suggested parameters include cells in the same column above the current cell including the cell adjacent to the current cell and all contiguous cells filled with data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 30 wherein said suggested parameters include cells in the same row to the left of the current cell including the cell adjacent to the current cell and all contiguous cells filled with data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
A memory storage device for a computer program, said memory storage device storing a computer program that provides a method for constructing a formula in a cell of a spreadsheet, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a first dialog box that lists selectable functions; accepting the selection of one of the functions for insertion into the formula; displaying a second dialog box for the selection of parameters for the selected function; accepting the selection of parameters; and inserting the resultant formula into a result cell.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
86 words
A memory storage device for a computer program, said memory storage device storing a computer program that provides a method for constructing a formula in a cell of a spreadsheet, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a first dialog box that lists selectable functions; accepting the selection of one of the functions for insertion into the formula; displaying a second dialog box for the selection of parameters for the selected function; accepting the selection of parameters; and inserting the resultant formula into a result cell.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The memory storage device of claim 33 wherein said method, before said inserting step, further comprises the steps of: displaying a third dialog box for selecting the result cell in which the formula is to be placed; and accepting the selection of the desired result cell.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The memory storage device of claim 34 wherein a default result cell is identified as the current cell.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The memory storage device of claim 33 wherein said first dialog box includes a description of the selected function.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The memory storage device of claim 33 wherein said first dialog box includes instructions for selecting parameters.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The memory storage device of claim 33 wherein said first dialog box lists a plurality of predetermined, commonly-used functions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The memory storage device of claim 38 wherein other functions are displayed by selecting a button in said first dialog box.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The memory storage device of claim 39 wherein the other functions are displayed in lists associated with a plurality of categories of functions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The memory storage device of claim 40 wherein one category displays a predetermined number of functions that have been most recently selected.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The memory storage device of claim 33 wherein said parameters include at least one cell address identifying a cell in the spreadsheet.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The memory storage device of claim 42 wherein said cell address is selected by clicking on the cell with a mouse.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The memory storage device of claim 42 wherein said parameters include a contiguous block of cells that are selected by dragging a mouse over the block of cells.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The memory storage device of claim 42 wherein said parameters are selected by typing the cell addresses on a keyboard.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The memory storage device of claim 33 wherein said second dialog box displays suggested parameters.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The memory storage device of claim 46 wherein said suggested parameters include cells in the same column above the current cell including the cell adjacent to the current cell and all contiguous cells filled with data.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The memory storage device of claim 46 wherein said suggested parameters include cells in the same row to the left of the current cell including the cell adjacent to the current cell and all contiguous cells filled with data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |