URL-facilitated access to spreadsheet elements

• US 8,825,745 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Prish, Shahar
• Primary Examiner(s): BARQADLE, YASIN M
• Application Number:
  US12/873,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20120011195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709217-219, 709227-234
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to providing URL-facilitated access to spreadsheet component elements. In embodiments, a client may discover and then access elements of an existing workbook directly through a URL. In embodiments, a client may also provide, through a URL, value(s) for parameter(s) defined by the existing workbook. If value(s) are provided by the client, the workbook may be recalculated using the value(s) before a requested element of the workbook is returned to the client. In embodiments, the workbook is recalculated using a transient copy of the workbook, which is then discarded and the original workbook remains unchanged. Data changed in the workbook is automatically reflected in returned elements of the workbook when a request for such element is refreshed.

Claims

1. A method for providing to a client an element of a first workbook, wherein the first workbook is formatted for a first spreadsheet application, the steps comprising:

providing, by a server, an application programming interface (API), wherein the API defines network-traversable paths to elements within workbooks accessible by the server, including the first workbook;

receiving, at the server, a request from the client for discovery of one or more available elements of the first workbook and one or more settable parameters;

providing to the client a list of the one or more available elements, including at least a first element, and a list of the one or more settable parameters for the first element, including at least a first parameter, wherein the first element comprises less than all of the first workbook, and wherein the first workbook comprises data;

receiving, from the client, a first value for the first parameter, wherein the first value for the first parameter changes at least some of the data of the workbook;

receiving a request, by the client, for the first element, the request for the first element including a network-traversable path for the first element according to the API, and a uniform resource locator specifying less than all of the first workbook;

calculating the first element based on the first value; and

providing the calculated first element to the client;

wherein calculating the first element based on the first value comprises;

creating a transient copy of the first workbook; and

discarding the transient copy of the first workbook after providing the calculated first element to the client.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for the first element includes a format, and the calculated first element is provided to the client in the format.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the format comprises at least one of:

an ATOM feed, HTML, and an image.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises at least one of:

a range of data cells in the first workbook, a chart, a table, and a pivot table.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for discovery and the request for the first element comprise uniform resource locators, and the client comprises a web browser.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for the first element includes a path to the server and a path within the workbook to the first element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first value is received as part of the request for the first element.

8. Computer storage memory device including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform a method for providing to a client an element of a first workbook, wherein the first workbook is formatted for a first spreadsheet application, the method steps comprising:

providing, by a server, an application programming interface (API), wherein the API defines network-traversable paths to elements within workbooks accessible by the server, including the first workbook;

receiving, at the server, a request from the client for discovery of one or more available elements of the first workbook and one or more settable parameters;

providing to the client a list of the one or more available elements of the first workbook, including at least a first element, and a list of one or more settable parameters for the first element, including at least a first parameter, wherein the first element comprises less than all of the first workbook, and wherein the first workbook comprises data;

receiving, from the client, a first value for the first parameter, wherein the first value for the first parameter changes at least some of the data of the workbook;

receiving a request, by the client, for the first element, wherein the request by the client includes a network-traversable path for the first element according to the API, and wherein the request for the first element comprises a uniform resource locator specifying less than all of the first workbook;

calculating the first element based on the first value; and

providing the calculated first element to the client;

wherein calculating the first element based on the first value comprises;

creating a transient copy of the first workbook; and

discarding the transient copy of the first workbook after providing the calculated first element to the client.

9. The computer storage media of claim 8, wherein the first value is received as part of the request for the first element.

10. The computer storage media of claim 8, wherein the request for the first element includes a format and the calculated first element is provided to the client in the format.

11. The computer storage media of claim 8, wherein the request for discovery and the request for the first element comprise uniform resource locators, and the client comprises a web browser.

12. The computer storage media of claim 8, wherein the request for the first element includes a path to the server and a path within the workbook to the first element.

13. The computer storage media of claim 8, wherein the first element comprises at least one of:

a range of data cells in the first workbook, a chart, a table, and a pivot table.

14. A method for retrieving at a client an element of a first workbook stored at a server, wherein the first workbook is formatted for a first spreadsheet application, the steps comprising:

sending, by the client, a request for discovery of one or more available elements of the first workbook and one or more settable parameters, wherein the server includes an application programming interface (API), and wherein the API defines network-traversable paths to elements within workbooks accessible by the server, including the first workbook;

receiving, at the client, a list of the one or more available elements, including at least a first element, and a list of one or more settable parameters for the first element, including at least a first parameter, wherein the first element comprises less than all of the first workbook, and wherein the first workbook comprises data;

providing, to the server, a first value for the first parameter, wherein the first value for the first parameter changes at least some of the data of the workbook;

sending, by the client, a request for the first element, wherein the request for the first element includes a network-traversable path for the first element according to the API, and wherein the request for the first element comprises a uniform resource locator specifying less than all of the first workbook; and

receiving, at the client, the first element, wherein the first element is calculated, and wherein calculating the first element comprises;

creating a transient copy of the first workbook; and

discarding the transient copy of the first workbook after the calculated first element is received at the client.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the request for discovery and the request for the first element comprise uniform resource locators, and the client comprises a web browser.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the request for the first element includes a format, and the calculated first element is received at the client in the format.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the request for the first element includes a path to the server and a path within the workbook to the first element.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first value is provided as part of the request for the first element.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first element comprises at least one of:

a range of data cells in the first workbook, a chart, a table, and a pivot table.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first element received at the client includes information dependent on the first value.