Suggesting a set of operations applicable to a selected range of data in a spreadsheet

摘要

A smart selection engine is provided. The smart selection engine may run in the context of a spreadsheet application on any device, service, or general endpoint capable of running the spreadsheet application. The smart selection engine reduces the cognitive load and complexity for performing spreadsheet operations by clearly presenting the user with easy to use and understand options that are big, simple, and lend themselves nicely to natural user interfaces, touch enabled devices, and devices with small displays as well as with graphical user interfaces, larger displays, and traditional input devices. By making contextually based suggestions, the smart selection engine reduces or eliminates the need for the user to be aware of the available operations or how to perform the operations. Further, the smart selection engine improves the consistency and efficiency of working with a spreadsheet.

主权项

1. A method for performing operations in a spreadsheet having a user interface and containing data, the method comprising:
automatically and contextually adjusting the user interface to display an interactive element in the spreadsheet that allows an operation to be directly performed by interacting with the interactive element; and modifying the spreadsheet in response to direct interaction with the interactive element; wherein automatically and contextually adjusting the user interface to display an interactive element in the spreadsheet that allows an operation to be directly performed by interacting with the interactive element comprises: detecting content of a range of the data; and suggesting a set of operations applicable to the range of data based on a layout and the content.