Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Vitore Selca

Clinton Dee Covington

Christopher Warren Bryant

Michael J McCormack

Richard Lee Dickinson

Zachary P Woodall

Kelly Michael Krout

Richard Shawn McDowell

Dan Jacob Hough

Shane L Groff

Steven Miles Greenberg

Andrew Robert Miller

Timothy E Getsch

Pavel R Karimov

Konrad Tupaj

Sumit Chauhan

Robert Coggins

Matthew C Pohle

Stephen I Lesser

Theresa Naramore

Robert Scott Cooper

Ryan Christopher McMinn

Amarinder Singh Grewal

Daniel J Cole

Adam Russell Kenney

Abigail Elisabeth Short

Michael Allen Brotherton

Tiginesh M Beyene

Ryan Mcminn

An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls of a database application. When a task-based functionality tab is selected from the user interface, selectable functionality controls provided by the associated database application for performing aspects of a task related to the selected tab are presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above a workspace in which a user is entering or editing data. Upon selection of a different task-based functionality tab, the presentation of functionality controls associated with the first task is removed, and selectable functionality controls associated with the second selected task-based functionality tab are presented in the user interface. The selectable functionality controls presented in the user interface are grouped into logical groupings for more efficient utilization. An extensibility model is provided for allowing users to develop and use customized user interfaces and to allow utilization of legacy user interfaces.

Command user interface for displaying selectable functionality controls in a database application

A database server application program is provided that is configured to provide a programmable interface into a database application by way of database services uniform resource locators (URLs). A database services URL utilized by the database application can be updated programmatically by program code executing within or under control of the database server application program. A macro action for use in conjunction with a database server application that provides functionality for displaying a database object, such as a form or report, in-place in a Web browser is also disclosed.

Database application navigation

A schema editor allows for definition, distribution, and use of schema templates. The schema editor allows schema to be edited and then saved in such a way that the saved file can be reimported into the schema editor.

Templates in a schema editor

Embodiments are provided to calculate and provide information based in part on a defined expression. In an embodiment, a database system can be configured to include a number of calculated columns as part of a database table structure. The database system can be configured to present a calculated result based in part on a determined result type. In one embodiment, a database system can be configured to enable calculated columns to be defined on a table of a database, wherein a component can be used to evaluate an expression associated with a column calculation to determine a proper result type. The proper result type can be stored and used when presenting a result of the calculation. Other embodiments are available.

Calculating and storing data structures including using calculated columns associated with a database system

Methods, systems, and computer program products modify a table definition of a database table within a database application. A method involves providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database table, receiving data that creates the new field while displaying the database table, and modifying schema of the database table to include the new field and the data. The method also involves interpreting a data type of the data as the data is received. A data type interpreted for a column in the database table that contains the new field is the data type of the data received in the new field. Still further, the method involves handling objects dependent on the database table in a manner unbeknownst to a user of the database table. Thus, the schema is modified while the objects dependent on the database table remain visible or open to the user.

Modifying table definitions within a database application

A user interface is provided that allows users to create queries interactively. The user interface operates by creating a source query (or, for example, SQL commands) for the user while they select fields from a data source. This provides users with an alternative to using conventional designers, wizards, or other tools to manually generate a query.

Data source task pane

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Vitore Selca