Enhanced mechanisms for managing multidimensional data
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- identifying a structure in a conventional spreadsheet based on cell formula and cell location during import of the conventional spreadsheet, the structure in the conventional spreadsheet including a set of cells, wherein the conventional spreadsheet is imported as in without modification;
bi-directionally mapping the set of cells to iterations and aggregations on a multidimensional data structure, wherein the mapping associates ranges and objects from the multidimensional data structure, wherein the multidimensional data structure is an online analytical processing (OLAP) structure;
identifying patterns based on cell relationships and OLAP mapping;
maintaining a duality and bi-directional mapping between the conventional spreadsheet and the OLAP structure and avoiding formula translations, wherein maintaining the duality and bi-directional mapping includes performing calculations using an embedded spreadsheet calculus engine such that no formula translations are necessary, wherein the duality and bidirectional mapping allows the spreadsheet to be manipulated as if it was an OLAP cube, modifying iterations within the dimensions, and the OLAP cube to be computed as if it was a spreadsheet;
generating an enhanced collaborative spreadsheet using the OLAP structure via an enhanced multidimensional data management system, wherein the enhanced multidimensional data management system is configured to handle a variety of spreadsheets not initially designed with the objective of potential enhancements and modifications;
receiving modifications to the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet and the corresponding OLAP structure, wherein modifications to the conventional spreadsheet are made to match the data modified in the OLAP structure, wherein modifications include inserting or deleting lines and rows to allow for automatic update of the OLAP structure and the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet; and
versioning all scenarios of modifications, wherein each cell in the set of cells includes a versioning mechanism such that individual cells from multiple versions of a same spreadsheet file can be synchronized and manipulated simultaneously, and wherein versioning is not natively supported inside the conventional spreadsheet.
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Abstract
An enhanced multidimensional data management system significantly reduces the resources required to convert a spreadsheet into an enterprise collaborative system. A spreadsheet may be imported as is without modifications. Additional information that cannot be automatically inferred about the data model used in the spreadsheet is obtained. Dimensions, timescale, and measure data are clearly defined and located. The spreadsheet is kept in the system in the form of both a spreadsheet and as a multidimensional data structure such as an online analytical processing (OLAP) cube or structure. This duality allows the spreadsheet to be manipulated as if it was an OLAP cube, modifying iterations within the dimensions, and the OLAP cube to be computed as if it was a spreadsheet.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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identifying a structure in a conventional spreadsheet based on cell formula and cell location during import of the conventional spreadsheet, the structure in the conventional spreadsheet including a set of cells, wherein the conventional spreadsheet is imported as in without modification; bi-directionally mapping the set of cells to iterations and aggregations on a multidimensional data structure, wherein the mapping associates ranges and objects from the multidimensional data structure, wherein the multidimensional data structure is an online analytical processing (OLAP) structure; identifying patterns based on cell relationships and OLAP mapping; maintaining a duality and bi-directional mapping between the conventional spreadsheet and the OLAP structure and avoiding formula translations, wherein maintaining the duality and bi-directional mapping includes performing calculations using an embedded spreadsheet calculus engine such that no formula translations are necessary, wherein the duality and bidirectional mapping allows the spreadsheet to be manipulated as if it was an OLAP cube, modifying iterations within the dimensions, and the OLAP cube to be computed as if it was a spreadsheet; generating an enhanced collaborative spreadsheet using the OLAP structure via an enhanced multidimensional data management system, wherein the enhanced multidimensional data management system is configured to handle a variety of spreadsheets not initially designed with the objective of potential enhancements and modifications; receiving modifications to the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet and the corresponding OLAP structure, wherein modifications to the conventional spreadsheet are made to match the data modified in the OLAP structure, wherein modifications include inserting or deleting lines and rows to allow for automatic update of the OLAP structure and the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet; and versioning all scenarios of modifications, wherein each cell in the set of cells includes a versioning mechanism such that individual cells from multiple versions of a same spreadsheet file can be synchronized and manipulated simultaneously, and wherein versioning is not natively supported inside the conventional spreadsheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
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computer code for identifying a structure in a conventional spreadsheet based on cell formula and cell location during import of the conventional spreadsheet, the structure in the conventional spreadsheet including a set of cells, wherein the conventional spreadsheet is imported as is without modification; computer code for mapping the set of cells to iterations and aggregations on a multidimensional data structure, wherein the multidimensional data structure is an online analytical processing (OLAP) structure; computer code for identifying patterns based on cell relationships and OLAP mapping; computer code for maintaining a duality and bi-directional mapping between the conventional spreadsheet and the OLAP structure and avoiding formula translations, wherein maintaining the duality and bi-directional mapping includes performing calculations using an embedded spreadsheet calculus engine such that no formula translations are necessary, wherein the duality and bidirectional mapping allows the spreadsheet to be manipulated as if it was an OLAP cube, modifying iterations within the dimensions, and the OLAP cube to be computed as if it was a spreadsheet; computer code for generating an enhanced collaborative spreadsheet using the OLAP structure via an enhanced multidimensional data management system, wherein the enhanced multidimensional data management system is configured to handle a variety of spreadsheets not initially designed with the objective of potential enhancements and modifications; computer code for receiving modifications to the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet and the corresponding OLAP structure, wherein modifications to the conventional spreadsheet are made to match the data modified in the OLAP structure, wherein modifications include inserting or deleting lines and rows to allow for automatic update of the OLAP structure and the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet; and computer code for versioning all scenarios of modifications, wherein each cell in the set of cells includes a versioning mechanism such that individual cells from multiple versions of a same spreadsheet file can be synchronized and manipulated simultaneously, and wherein versioning is not natively supported inside the conventional spreadsheet. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a processor; and memory, wherein the memory includes instructions for causing the processor to execute a method, the method comprising; identifying a structure in a conventional spreadsheet based on cell formula and cell location during import of the conventional spreadsheet, the structure in the conventional spreadsheet including a set of cells, wherein the conventional spreadsheet is imported as is without modification; mapping the set of cells to iterations and aggregations on a multidimensional data structure, wherein the multidimensional data structure is an online analytical processing (OLAP) structure; identifying patterns based on cell relationships and OLAP mapping; maintaining a duality and bi-directional mapping between the conventional spreadsheet and the OLAP structure and avoiding formula translations, wherein maintaining the duality and bi-directional mapping includes performing calculations using an embedded spreadsheet calculus engine such that no formula translations are necessary, wherein the duality and bidirectional mapping allows the spreadsheet to be manipulated as if it was an OLAP cube, modifying iterations within the dimensions, and the OLAP cube to be computed as if it was a spreadsheet; generating an enhanced collaborative spreadsheet using the OLAP structure via an enhanced multidimensional data management system, wherein the enhanced multidimensional data management system is configured to handle a variety of spreadsheets not initially designed with the objective of potential enhancements and modifications; receiving modifications to the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet and the corresponding OLAP structure, wherein modifications to the conventional spreadsheet are made to match the data modified in the OLAP structure, wherein modifications include inserting or deleting lines and rows to allow for automatic update of the OLAP structure and the enhanced collaborative spreadsheet; and versioning all scenarios of modifications, wherein each cell in the set of cells includes a versioning mechanism such that individual cells from multiple versions of a same spreadsheet file can be synchronized and manipulated simultaneously, and wherein versioning is not natively supported inside the conventional spreadsheet. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification