User defined spreadsheet functions
View Patent ↗A method of creating a user-defined function in a spreadsheet application is provided. The user-defined function is callable by a calling label in the spreadsheet application. A formula is received in the spreadsheet application. The formula is transferred to a function sheet of the spreadsheet application to define at least a portion of a function body. An interface is defined by identifying the calling label, an input parameter and a result parameter of the user-defined function. The function body operates on an argument corresponding to the input parameter and generates a result corresponding to the result parameter. The interface is stored in association with the function body to create the user-defined function.
1. One or more computer-readable storage media containing executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method comprising:
receiving a formula in a spreadsheet application;
generating a distinct function sheet of the spreadsheet application associated with the formula;
transferring the formula to the function sheet to define at least a portion of an encapsulated user-defined function, wherein the function sheet is configured to accept formula-type operations that define the encapsulated user-defined function, wherein the encapsulated user-defined function includes one or more input parameters and a result parameter;
storing the encapsulated user-defined function;
associating the encapsulated user-defined function with a calling label; and
wherein the encapsulated user-defined function is callable using the calling label from within the spreadsheet application.
2. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein the function sheet provides an edit capability.
3. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein an input parameter of the one or more input parameters comprises a value representing a matrix, wherein the matrix is referenced in a single cell.
4. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein the one or more input parameters further comprises one or more scalar values.
5. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein the one or more input parameters further comprises one or more cells in the spreadsheet.
6. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein the encapsulated user-defined function is callable from another spreadsheet application.
7. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein the function sheet comprises a wizard that allows manipulation by the user.
8. A method comprising:
receiving a formula in a spreadsheet application; generating a distinct function sheet of the spreadsheet application associated with the formula;
transferring the formula to the function sheet to define at least a portion of an encapsulated user-defined function, wherein the function sheet is configured to accept formula-type operations that define the encapsulated user-defined function, wherein the encapsulated user-defined function includes one or more input parameters and a result parameter;
storing the encapsulated user-defined function;
associating the encapsulated user-defined function with a calling label;
wherein the encapsulated user-defined function is callable using the calling label from within the spreadsheet application.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the function sheet provides an edit capability.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein input parameters comprises a value representing a matrix, wherein the matrix is referenced in a single cell.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the one or more input parameters further comprises one or more scalar values.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the one or more input parameters further comprises one or more cells in the spreadsheet.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the encapsulated user defined function is callable from another.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the function sheet comprises a wizard that allows manipulation by the user.
15. A system comprising:
a display device; and
means for displaying a spreadsheet application on the display device;
means for receiving a formula in the spreadsheet application;
means for generating a distinct function sheet of the spreadsheet application associated with the formula and transferring the formula to the function sheet to define at least a portion of an encapsulated user-defined function, wherein the function sheet is configured to accept formula-type operations that define the encapsulated user-defined function, wherein the encapsulated user-defined function includes one or more input parameters and a result parameter;
means for storing the encapsulated user-defined function;
means for associating the encapsulated user-defined function with a calling label; and
wherein the encapsulated user-defined function is callable using the calling label from the spreadsheet application.