METHOD FOR ASSISTING THE OPERATOR OF AN INTERACTIVE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM TO ENTER DATA DIRECTLY INTO A SELECTED CELL OF A SPREADSHEET

摘要

AT9-84-094 An improved method for use in an interactive data processing system which includes a processor for controlling the data entered into said system from an input device and a display device which functions to display a spreadsheet shell. The shell is defined by an application program. Data is entered into said system interactively by an operator through the input device, such as a keyboard. The method permits the operator to select a cell of the spreadsheet in accordance with the type of cursor positioning mechanism provided in the system. Once a cell is selected an editing cursor is displayed in the cell at a predetermined first entry position. As the operator enters each character of data, it is displayed in the cell, just as it was entered. The data is neither formatted or calculated if it was a formula. When editing is complete, the operator indicates this to the system by pressing an "Accept" key which may be a dedicated key, preprogrammed key, or one of the function keys on the keyboard. Various conventional editing actions of the data in the cell are provided, such as deleting characters and scrolling at the edge of the cell. The conventional prompt line at the top of the spreadsheet is only displayed in response to a request by the operator.