The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 28, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 31, 1998
Robert Wayne Coffen, Redmond, WA (US);
Kent Rogers Lowry, Seattle, WA (US);
Eric Lawrence Matteson, Bellevue, WA (US);
Mark S. Igra, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Methods for automatically, without user instruction, extending a format and/or a formula to include a cell in an electronic spreadsheet. A previously blank newly edited cell may be determined to be an extension to or within a list of cells. A list of cells may be defined as a number of previous cells having a consistent data type. If a list of cells exists and the previously blank newly edited cell also includes the consistent data type, the previously blank newly edited cell is considered to be an extension of or within a list. The cells in the list are then examined for consistent formatting. If consistent formatting exists in the list, the consistent formatting is applied to the previously blank newly edited cell. Also, the cells in the list are examined for consistent formulas. The rows containing the cells in the list are each examined for a consistent formula having all supporting cells populated. If such a consistent formula is detected, it is applied to the row containing the previously blank newly edited cell. Also, the spreadsheet is scanned for aggregating formulas that reference the cells within the list. If an aggregating formula is discovered, it is updated to include the value of the data stored in the previously blank newly edited cell.