SUGGESTING ALTERNATE DATA MAPPINGS FOR CHARTS

• US 20130097177A1
• Filed: 10/13/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rampson, Benjamin Edward, Chiang, Nick, Wakefield, Robin, Fan, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 9,135,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/748
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/221 Column-oriented storage; Management thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/438 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174

Abstract

Data mapping alternatives for creating a visual representation of a set of data are presented. A set of data is identified for analysis. The identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data are analyzed. Based on the analysis, data mapping alternatives for the identified set of data are determined. The determined data mapping alternatives for the identified set of data are ranked. The determined data mapping alternatives are presented in an order according to the ranking of the determined data mapping alternatives.

Claims

1. A method for presenting data mapping alternatives for creating a visual representation of a set of data, comprising:

identifying a set of data for analysis;

analyzing the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data;

based on the analysis, determining data mapping alternatives for the identified set of data by identifying data mapping alternatives determined heuristically based on different chart types, data mappings and chart layouts, based on the set of data, the heuristic determination comprising deciding whether the identified set of data is laid out in a column-wise orientation or a row-wise orientation;

ranking one of the column-wise orientation and the row-wise orientation higher than the other; and

presenting the determined data mapping alternatives for selection.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a selection of a chart type for creating the visual representation of the set of data.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying a chart type for creating the visual representation of the set of data based on the analysis of the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying a set of data for analysis further comprises receiving a selection of a set of data from an electronic spreadsheet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data further comprises determining an organization associated with the set of data, identifying a type of data associated with the set of data, identifying a structure associated with the set of data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data further comprises determining a pattern associated with the set of data.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a score for each of the data mapping alternatives and ordering the data mapping alternatives according to the generated score associated with each of the data mapping alternatives.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the generating the score for each of the data mapping alternatives further comprises determining how appropriate a set of categories and value series are for a predetermined chart type and data mapping.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a multiplier for each of the data mapping alternatives based the identified orientation and a series-axis mapping associated with each of the data mapping alternatives.

7. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

12. A chart recommendation device, comprising:

memory for storing data; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, the processor configured for identifying a set of data for analysis, analyzing the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data, based on the analysis, determining data mapping alternatives for the identified set of data by identifying data mapping alternatives determined heuristically based on different chart types, data mappings and chart layouts, based on the set of data, the heuristic determination comprising deciding whether the identified set of data is laid out in a column-wise orientation or a row-wise orientation, ranking one of the column-wise orientation and the row-wise orientation higher than the other, and presenting the determined data mapping alternatives for selection.

13. The chart recommendation device of claim 12, wherein the processor identifies a chart type for creating the visual representation of the set of data based on the analysis of the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data.

14. The chart recommendation device of claim 12, wherein the processor determines an organization associated with the set of data, identifies a type of data associated with the set of data, and identifies a structure associated with the set of data.

15. The chart recommendation device of claim 12, wherein the processor determines a pattern associated with the set of data.

17. The chart recommendation device of claim 12, further comprising generating a score for each of the data mapping alternatives and ordering the data mapping alternatives according to the generated score associated with each of the data mapping alternatives.

19. The chart recommendation device of claim 12, wherein the processor further determines a multiplier for each of the data mapping alternatives based the identified orientation and a series-axis mapping associated with each of the data mapping alternatives.

16. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

20. A computer-readable memory device with instructions stored thereon for providing chart recommendations, the instructions comprising:

identifying a set of data for analysis;

analyzing the identified set of data and properties associated with the identified set of data;

based on the analysis, determining data mapping alternatives for the identified set of data by identifying data mapping alternatives determined heuristically based on different chart types, data mappings and chart layouts, based on the set of data, the heuristic determination comprising deciding whether the identified set of data is laid out in a column-wise orientation or a row-wise orientation;

ranking one of the column-wise orientation and the row-wise orientation higher than the other; and

presenting the determined data mapping alternatives for selection.