| 摘要 |
An error checker identifies spreadsheet errors by traversing a spreadsheet cell-by-cell and comparing each cell's contents to a list of error rules. When a cell's contents satisfy an error rule, then the cell is identified as containing a potential spreadsheet error. The error checker operates in both background and foreground modes. In background mode, the error checker identifies potential spreadsheet errors and marks the cells containing the potential errors with an error indicator. A drop-down menu is provided that includes an element identifying the error rule that was invoked by the cell's contents and may include one or more recommended actions to resolve the identified error. The menu can also include selections for referencing a help facility for more information about the identified error, ignoring the error, accessing the cell to edit the cell's contents, and accessing a debugging utility for evaluating and modifying a spreadsheet formula. In background mode, the error indicator can be removed when a user disposes of the identified error either through modifying the cell's contents or by choosing to ignore the error. Foreground mode is invoked when a user affirmatively chooses to commence error checking, usually by selecting error checking from the main menu of a spreadsheet application. In foreground mode, the error checker traverses the spreadsheet cell-by-cell applying the spreadsheet error rules to each cell. When an error is identified, a dialog box is displayed prompting the user to dispose of the error and providing selectable commands to dispose of the error.
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