System and method for storing a series of calculations as a function for implementation in a spreadsheet application

Abstract

The dependency graph spreadsheet system allows for the capture of a sequence of calculations or formulas as a function. The function is stored as a function definition in a spreadsheet application. The function definition provides the ability to call or select a name or code associated with the function or function definition in the spreadsheet application by placing the name in a cell of the spreadsheet application. If the form of the calculation needs to be verified or modified, the function is reviewed and/or modified in the function definition worksheet, eliminating the need to seek out each invocation of the function in the spreadsheet application. The dependency graph spreadsheet system also provides the ability to invoke a higher order function that uses a defined function as an input and generates an output from the higher order function on a range of data inputs for the defined function in the spreadsheet.