Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Microsoft Corporation

Christopher M Street

Eric Barber Vigesaa

Bruce Cordell Jones

Benjamin C Chamberlain

David Francis Gainer

Charles David Ellis

Brandon G Weber

David E Gainer

Variable formatting for cells in computer spreadsheets, tables, and other documents is provided. For a selected range of cells, cell formats vary with the value in each cell (or an associated value). Formats can include color-scale backgrounds, in-cell elements (e.g., icons and data bars), and other cell formats that can be varied with a value.

Variable formatting of values

A data cell included in a document supporting cell structured data is conditionally formatted according to data that is stored in a separate location from the document. A user is allowed to select from a drop-down menu of related data sets a particular data set for conditionally formatting the data cell. The data cell is formatted according to the data set and the condition without requiring that the data set be stored locally in the document.

System and method for formatting a cell in response to data stored in a separate location

Generally described, embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to utilize dynamic thresholds and dynamic threshold values when generating variable formatting rules to be applied to a range of cells. Dynamic thresholds include, but are not limited to, 'Highest Value,' 'Middle Value,' &#x201c;Lowest Value,&#x201d; &#x201c;Number,&#x201d; &#x201c;Percent,&#x201d; &#x201c;Percentile,&#x201d; and &#x201c;Formula.&#x201d; When using a dynamic threshold, dynamic threshold values are determined based on values contained in a selected range of cells.

Dynamic thresholds for conditional formats

Generally described, embodiments of the present invention relate to applying and evaluating conditional formatting rules to a given range of cells. Additionally, multiple conditional formatting rules may be evaluated to TRUE for the same cell contained in a user interface and multiple formats applied to that cell.

For a given cell in a spreadsheet, evaluating an unlimited number of conditional formatting rules and applying multiple corresponding formats to the cell

Variable formatting of cells

A method of conditionally formatting a display of data is disclosed that involves providing a preliminary display automatically showing the intended consequences of the condition applied to the data prior to making the condition actually apply to the data. This is especially useful in analysis of spreadsheet data by conditionally formatting certain data. The method involves identifying one or more parameters of the data to be conditionally formatted on the display, selecting a predetermined condition; and automatically applying temporarily the predetermined condition to the parameter(s), displaying a temporary preview on the display of the predetermined condition applied to data that meet the predetermined condition. The method also provides the capability to preliminarily change the conditions and parameters applied to the data and automatically provide appropriate previews of the effect of such application of changed conditions on the displayed data.

One click conditional formatting method and system for software programs

Generally described, embodiments of the present invention relate to applying and evaluating an unlimited number of conditional formatting rules to a given range of cells. Additionally, multiple conditional formatting rules may be evaluated to TRUE for the same cell contained in a user interface and multiple formats applied to that cell.

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Christopher M Street