CA2078926A1 - Field combining method - Google Patents
Field combining methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA2078926A1 CA2078926A1 CA002078926A CA2078926A CA2078926A1 CA 2078926 A1 CA2078926 A1 CA 2078926A1 CA 002078926 A CA002078926 A CA 002078926A CA 2078926 A CA2078926 A CA 2078926A CA 2078926 A1 CA2078926 A1 CA 2078926A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- field
- fields
- attributes
- combining
- spreadsheet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 10
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F40/00—Handling natural language data
- G06F40/10—Text processing
- G06F40/166—Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
- G06F40/177—Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting of tables; using ruled lines
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
- Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
- Computational Linguistics (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Document Processing Apparatus (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure To obtain a comprehensive spreadsheet having a small area and to reduce restrictions on the layout of rows and columns in the spreadsheet, attributes for combining adjoining fields which can be freely set are given to each row and column field to enable combined fields to access data as the same field.
Description
207g~6~
FI131~D COMBINING METHOD
Backqround of the Invention [Field of ths Invention]
The present invention relates to layout settings in a spreadsheet program, and more particularly/ to a fiel~
combining method.
[Description of the Prior Art]
Conventionally, a document is designed by a spreadsheet program as shown in FIG.6. In the figure, X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are columns called "column 1" in the vertical direction, and Yl, Y2, Y3, Y4 ànd Y5 are rows called "row 2" in the horizontal direction.
In th~ conventional spreadsheet, X1, X3 and X4 of the row 1, for ex~mple, can be made wider and X5 narrower, or only Y1 of the row 2 can be made higher although all the rows in the figure are the same in height in FIG.6.
However, a normal document varies in form, and there is demand to change the size of an area in a particular row or column, which is ~onventionally determined by the combination of rows and columns. In this case, there is no choice but to leave unused areas empty or manually add necessary areas though a spreadsheet becomes larger in size.
An example of field management information of the conventional spreadsheet program is shown in FIG.~. In the figure, reference numeral 3 represents a management table for storing field management information, and 4 items of the field management information which contains control data for .
`
FI131~D COMBINING METHOD
Backqround of the Invention [Field of ths Invention]
The present invention relates to layout settings in a spreadsheet program, and more particularly/ to a fiel~
combining method.
[Description of the Prior Art]
Conventionally, a document is designed by a spreadsheet program as shown in FIG.6. In the figure, X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are columns called "column 1" in the vertical direction, and Yl, Y2, Y3, Y4 ànd Y5 are rows called "row 2" in the horizontal direction.
In th~ conventional spreadsheet, X1, X3 and X4 of the row 1, for ex~mple, can be made wider and X5 narrower, or only Y1 of the row 2 can be made higher although all the rows in the figure are the same in height in FIG.6.
However, a normal document varies in form, and there is demand to change the size of an area in a particular row or column, which is ~onventionally determined by the combination of rows and columns. In this case, there is no choice but to leave unused areas empty or manually add necessary areas though a spreadsheet becomes larger in size.
An example of field management information of the conventional spreadsheet program is shown in FIG.~. In the figure, reference numeral 3 represents a management table for storing field management information, and 4 items of the field management information which contains control data for .
`
-2~ 8 9 2 6 each area whos~ size is determined by the combination of rows and columns required for developing a spreadsheet.
Since each field of the conventional ~preadsheet is determined as described above, there are many restrictions on the layout of documents. Therefore, when designing a document, a resultant table may become larger than desired or be impossible to design a~ desired.
The present invention has been worked out to solve these problems, and it is an object of the present invention to achieve a method of combining spreadsheet fields which has few restrictions on the layout of documents.
Therefore, the method of the present invention is such that any desired parent field is designated as a reference for each row or column field, and attributes which can be set or released are given to row or column fields adjoining this parent field to designate the fields as child fields so that the attributes enable the child fields to access data as the same field as the parent field.
In other words, in the method of combining fields of the pre~ent invention/ outputs to the screen and printer are made irrespective of the attributes, and the child fields access the same data as the parent field~
The above and other objects, features and advantages o~
the invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs .. . ;
. : i ,, ~ ,.
2 ~
FIG.l is a diagram illustrating the design of a document according to an embodimen~ of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates how attributes are held in the embodiment;
FIG.3 is a diagram illustrating field number pointers of FIG.2;
FIG. 4 shows an example of a document of the embodiment;
FIG . 5 is a flow chart illustrating the generation of data using the field attributes of the embodiment;
FIG.6 is an example of the design of a document drawn by a conventional spreadsheet program; and FIG . 7 i~ a field managem~nt information table drawn by the conventional spreadshe~t program.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment FIG.l shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention in comparison with an example of the prior art shown in FIG~6. In the figure, sections (X1, Y2), (X2, Y2), and (X2, Y3) of an area 11 indicated by slant lines are combined as a parent field. Ruled lines in the field shown by the slant lines are not displayed on the screen.
An example illustrating how attributes are held is shown in FIG.2. In the figure, data columns for a previous field number pointer and a following field number pointer are added to the items of the conventional field management table 3. FIG.3 illustrates how data are actually stored in the pointers. In the figure, reference s~nbol 5a represents a pointer indicating combination with the previous fieldr and Sb a pointer indicating combination with the following , . .
.
~7~6 q field. In this example, a field having a field number "0001"
is combined with a field having a field number "0003" which is further combined with a field having a field number "0004". Data of a field having a field number "0002" are "0000" and "FFFF", which means that it is not combined with the previous and following fields, but is an independent field.
FIG.4 is an example of a document according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an area 12 for "Current Budget~ is the combination of four fields in total, with the left-end field used as a parent field. In the same manner, each area for "Total Budget" and "Expenditure for Current Year" is the combination o~ two fields. An`area for "Unit" is the combination of two fields, and an area 13 for "Breakdown of Construction Costs" is the combination of four fields in total. Since attributes are given and the combination of fields is permitted, the document shown in the figure which could not be designed by the conventional spreadsheet program can be designed.
FIG.5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. Data are read and displayed from step S1 to step S20. This flowchart indicates the followin~:
1) The parent field does not have information on the child fields.
2) The child fields do not have data. The parent field has all data inputted into combined fields.
The operation of the embodiment will be described in conjunction with FIGs.1 to 5. A spreadsheet is first - - . , . , , .
_5 2~8~6 designed in the same way as the prior art. At this tim0, areas 12 and 13 are each divided into four fields. The column for "Unit" to the right of a dotted line of the column for "Breakdown of Construction Costs" may be small in width. However, since units are common to thé present invention and the prior art, the number of digits is set for this spreadsheet in the same manner as the prior art. In the same spreadsheet design mode as the prior art, a cursor is moved to the area 12 to designate 12a as a parent field at the position of 12a. Then the cursor is moved to 12b to desiqnate it as a child field. Thereafter, the cursor is moved to 12c to designate it as a child field and to 12d to designate it as the same.
At this time, the previous and following field numbers shown in FIG.3 are entered in the columns for the pointers in "Name of Item" of the field management information of FIG.2. If data other than "0000" exists in the column for the previous field number pointer in "Name of Item" 4 of the management table 3, the child fields are processed together with the parent field. In other words, the child fields do not have data.
FIG.5 shows an example of the method of generating data on combined fields when the data is outputted to a printer or displayed on a CRT. In the figure, a parent field and child fields in steps S2, S7, S10 and S13 are provided in ~he pointer columns of FIG.2.
In this embodiment, the names of items "Previous Field Number Pointer" and "Following Field Number Pointer" are used as a pointer for combined fields, but the existence of -6- 20 ~9~
combination indicative of field attributes and the previous and following field numbers when the field is combined with another field may be used as the name of an item.
As described in the for~going, according to the present invention, attributes for combining adjoining fields which can be freely set are given so that combined fields are allowed to access data as the same field, thus offering the advantage that the effective use of table fields and the efficient and free design of documents are possible.
:' - - `' ' ' . ~ ': '
Since each field of the conventional ~preadsheet is determined as described above, there are many restrictions on the layout of documents. Therefore, when designing a document, a resultant table may become larger than desired or be impossible to design a~ desired.
The present invention has been worked out to solve these problems, and it is an object of the present invention to achieve a method of combining spreadsheet fields which has few restrictions on the layout of documents.
Therefore, the method of the present invention is such that any desired parent field is designated as a reference for each row or column field, and attributes which can be set or released are given to row or column fields adjoining this parent field to designate the fields as child fields so that the attributes enable the child fields to access data as the same field as the parent field.
In other words, in the method of combining fields of the pre~ent invention/ outputs to the screen and printer are made irrespective of the attributes, and the child fields access the same data as the parent field~
The above and other objects, features and advantages o~
the invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs .. . ;
. : i ,, ~ ,.
2 ~
FIG.l is a diagram illustrating the design of a document according to an embodimen~ of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates how attributes are held in the embodiment;
FIG.3 is a diagram illustrating field number pointers of FIG.2;
FIG. 4 shows an example of a document of the embodiment;
FIG . 5 is a flow chart illustrating the generation of data using the field attributes of the embodiment;
FIG.6 is an example of the design of a document drawn by a conventional spreadsheet program; and FIG . 7 i~ a field managem~nt information table drawn by the conventional spreadshe~t program.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment FIG.l shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention in comparison with an example of the prior art shown in FIG~6. In the figure, sections (X1, Y2), (X2, Y2), and (X2, Y3) of an area 11 indicated by slant lines are combined as a parent field. Ruled lines in the field shown by the slant lines are not displayed on the screen.
An example illustrating how attributes are held is shown in FIG.2. In the figure, data columns for a previous field number pointer and a following field number pointer are added to the items of the conventional field management table 3. FIG.3 illustrates how data are actually stored in the pointers. In the figure, reference s~nbol 5a represents a pointer indicating combination with the previous fieldr and Sb a pointer indicating combination with the following , . .
.
~7~6 q field. In this example, a field having a field number "0001"
is combined with a field having a field number "0003" which is further combined with a field having a field number "0004". Data of a field having a field number "0002" are "0000" and "FFFF", which means that it is not combined with the previous and following fields, but is an independent field.
FIG.4 is an example of a document according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an area 12 for "Current Budget~ is the combination of four fields in total, with the left-end field used as a parent field. In the same manner, each area for "Total Budget" and "Expenditure for Current Year" is the combination o~ two fields. An`area for "Unit" is the combination of two fields, and an area 13 for "Breakdown of Construction Costs" is the combination of four fields in total. Since attributes are given and the combination of fields is permitted, the document shown in the figure which could not be designed by the conventional spreadsheet program can be designed.
FIG.5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. Data are read and displayed from step S1 to step S20. This flowchart indicates the followin~:
1) The parent field does not have information on the child fields.
2) The child fields do not have data. The parent field has all data inputted into combined fields.
The operation of the embodiment will be described in conjunction with FIGs.1 to 5. A spreadsheet is first - - . , . , , .
_5 2~8~6 designed in the same way as the prior art. At this tim0, areas 12 and 13 are each divided into four fields. The column for "Unit" to the right of a dotted line of the column for "Breakdown of Construction Costs" may be small in width. However, since units are common to thé present invention and the prior art, the number of digits is set for this spreadsheet in the same manner as the prior art. In the same spreadsheet design mode as the prior art, a cursor is moved to the area 12 to designate 12a as a parent field at the position of 12a. Then the cursor is moved to 12b to desiqnate it as a child field. Thereafter, the cursor is moved to 12c to designate it as a child field and to 12d to designate it as the same.
At this time, the previous and following field numbers shown in FIG.3 are entered in the columns for the pointers in "Name of Item" of the field management information of FIG.2. If data other than "0000" exists in the column for the previous field number pointer in "Name of Item" 4 of the management table 3, the child fields are processed together with the parent field. In other words, the child fields do not have data.
FIG.5 shows an example of the method of generating data on combined fields when the data is outputted to a printer or displayed on a CRT. In the figure, a parent field and child fields in steps S2, S7, S10 and S13 are provided in ~he pointer columns of FIG.2.
In this embodiment, the names of items "Previous Field Number Pointer" and "Following Field Number Pointer" are used as a pointer for combined fields, but the existence of -6- 20 ~9~
combination indicative of field attributes and the previous and following field numbers when the field is combined with another field may be used as the name of an item.
As described in the for~going, according to the present invention, attributes for combining adjoining fields which can be freely set are given so that combined fields are allowed to access data as the same field, thus offering the advantage that the effective use of table fields and the efficient and free design of documents are possible.
:' - - `' ' ' . ~ ': '
Claims
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
(1) A method of combining fields for a spreadsheet program, characterized in that attributes for combining as a child field a plurality of desired fields on one or both sides of a parent field which functions as a reference are given to each row and column field; and said child fields access data as the same field as said parent field during the execution of said spreadsheet program until said attributes are released.
(2) The method of combining fields according to claim 1, wherein a management table for storing field management information for managing each field is provided.
(3) The method of combining fields according to claim 2, wherein said management table includes a previous field number pointer indicative of combination of the present field and a previous field thereof and a following field number pointer indicative of combination of the present field and a following field thereof.
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
(1) A method of combining fields for a spreadsheet program, characterized in that attributes for combining as a child field a plurality of desired fields on one or both sides of a parent field which functions as a reference are given to each row and column field; and said child fields access data as the same field as said parent field during the execution of said spreadsheet program until said attributes are released.
(2) The method of combining fields according to claim 1, wherein a management table for storing field management information for managing each field is provided.
(3) The method of combining fields according to claim 2, wherein said management table includes a previous field number pointer indicative of combination of the present field and a previous field thereof and a following field number pointer indicative of combination of the present field and a following field thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3247695A JPH0589153A (en) | 1991-09-26 | 1991-09-26 | Field connection method |
| JP3-247695 | 1991-09-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2078926A1 true CA2078926A1 (en) | 1993-03-27 |
Family
ID=17167277
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002078926A Abandoned CA2078926A1 (en) | 1991-09-26 | 1992-09-23 | Field combining method |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0589153A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2078926A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4232238A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9220434D0 (en) |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4506343A (en) * | 1982-05-17 | 1985-03-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Column layout reference area display management |
| DE3613740A1 (en) * | 1985-04-26 | 1986-10-30 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo | Method of generating a table to store a relatively large quantity of data areas, and device to implement this method |
-
1991
- 1991-09-26 JP JP3247695A patent/JPH0589153A/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-09-23 CA CA002078926A patent/CA2078926A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-09-25 DE DE4232238A patent/DE4232238A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-09-28 GB GB929220434A patent/GB9220434D0/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9220434D0 (en) | 1992-11-11 |
| JPH0589153A (en) | 1993-04-09 |
| DE4232238A1 (en) | 1993-04-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |