Abstract: Cube functions may be used to obtain data from a multidimensional database. The cube functions may be contained within one or more cells of a spreadsheet. These cube functions behave similarly to the standard functions that may be included within a spreadsheet. Exemplary cube functions include obtaining: a cube member, a cube value, a cube set, a ranked member, a KPI, a member property and a count relating to a set. The cube functions within the spreadsheet may access the cube data from one or more multidimensional databases. Using the cube formulas in individual cells allows the user to add/delete rows and/or columns from within the spreadsheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides several database formulas that can manipulate large sets of data. Each database formula is customizable and repeatable without user intervention. Thus, users may enter numerous options that can cover the user's desire for data output in certain forms or formats, select a set of input data, and consistently receive a set of output data. In some embodiments, the user may refer to the set of data semantically instead of specifying a range of cells to use in the database formula. Referring to the data semantically allows the database formulas to adjust to changes in the range of cells new data may occupy.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to new and improved embodiments of methods and systems for capturing and providing arbitrarily rich data to be stored or manipulated within a spreadsheet. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating spreadsheet metadata comprises receiving an item in a spreadsheet, receiving item metadata about the item, and associating the item metadata with the item to create spreadsheet metadata.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of task-based helpers that automatically generate formulas that complete a task for the user. In one embodiment, the task helpers automatically create a formula from one or more functions that help complete more complicated tasks. The present invention also provides embodiments of user interfaces that help the user select the appropriate task helper and receive the discrete parameters of the formula for the task.

Abstract: A framework for enabling users to create User Defined Functions (UDFs), which can run simultaneously without using multiple calculation threads, is provided. A calculation engine continues a remainder of calculation operations independent of a pending asynchronous function upon starting to run the asynchronous function without waiting to receive a result. The result value is introduced to the computation at a later time during the calculation cycle, when it is received or completed by the calculation engine. When the results are received, downstream operations such as dependent functions are calculated without changing a flow of dependencies within the operations.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for exposing and calling workbook models via remote function calls. According to the system, a client computer executes a spreadsheet program for creating a workbook model. The workbook model may be published to a server computer along with data defining a function name and the cells that should be used as inputs and outputs to the model. The system also includes a server computer that receives and responds to remote function calls directed toward workbook functions. When a function call is received at the server computer for a workbook function, the server computer populates the cells in the workbook identified as inputs with input parameters received with the function call and recalculates the workbook. The data contained in the output cells is then returned as a reply to the remote function call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and improved embodiments of systems and methods for displaying content within a spreadsheet graphical user interface. In one embodiment, a computer system has a graphical user interface that performs a method for displaying data within a spreadsheet application. The method comprises displaying a formula bar comprising a text box that displays data contained in the spreadsheet, displaying a first portion of the spreadsheet data in the text box, and expanding the formula bar to display a second portion of the spreadsheet data in the text box.

Abstract: Multiple formulas are associated with a single cell of a spreadsheet. A base formula represents the actual value extracted from a data source. Adjustment formulas represent formulas for calculating adjustments to the value contained within the cell and other formulas can represent different calculation scenarios. Each of the formulas associated with the cell are dynamically updated and adjusted to react to changes elsewhere in the spreadsheet such that a user can recalculate the whole spreadsheet and move formulas around in the spreadsheet causing both the external data formula and all the adjustment formulas that may exist in the same cell to be updated accordingly.

Abstract: A multi-threaded codeless user-defined function (UDF) may be provided. First, at least one input value may be received from a calculation thread corresponding to a spreadsheet calling the codeless UDF. Then, the at least one input value may be saved in a thread storage area outside of a UDF storage area containing the codeless UDF. Next, the codeless UDF may be performed comprising performing at least one calculation using at least one formula in the codeless UDF and the at least one input value from the thread storage area. At least one output value produced in response to performing the codeless UDF may then be returned to the calculation thread corresponding to the spreadsheet calling the codeless UDF.

Abstract: Individual cells within a spreadsheet may contain an extensible value as defined by an extensible value type. The extensible value type is a third party user defined value type that is incorporated into the spreadsheet as a supported data type. When the extensible value type is defined, an associated set of functions are developed to operate on the type. The spreadsheet manages instances of these extensible values such that they are properly maintained by the spreadsheet application while in use and released from memory when they are no longer in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of structured name within a spreadsheet program that allows users to refer to tables, columns of data within tables, headers of tables, totals from tables, PivotTables®, and portions of PivotTable® data by the data's headers. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for referring to a set of data that comprises receiving one or more semantic designations, wherein the one or more semantic designations name a set of context information that describes one or more items of data in a data structure, automatically creating a structural reference, and associating the context information with the structural reference.

Abstract: A log retainer has a two or more mounting brackets connected together by a cross bar. Each mounting bracket has a lower and upper mounting arm which is used to connect the retainer to the grate without adapting the grate. Each of the lower mounting arms has fingers extending therefrom, and each of the upper mounting arms has a thumb extending therefrom, the fingers and thumb engaging members of the grate to support the mounting brackets and cross bar above the grate to retain the logs in the grate.

Abstract: In a process for precipitating alumina hydrate from a stream of Bayer process liquor, wherein the stream is first divided into a major portion and a minor portion, the minor portion fed to an agglomeration stage and seeded with fine seed to induce precipitation and formation of a slurry, and the major portion cooled and charged with coarse seed and directed to a growth stage to induce formation of alumina hydrate product, the steps of: separating solids from the minor portion after formation of the slurry; cooling, to a temperature of between about 45.degree. C. and about 60.degree. C., the liquid remaining after separating solids from the slurry formed in the agglomeration stage; adding an amount of coarse seed to the remaining liquid to generate a slurry of fresh hydrate nuclei; and recombining the slurry of fresh hydrate nuclei with the major portion of the stream.

Abstract: An improved process for precipitating alumina from Bayer process liquors is disclosed. The process involves dividing an incoming pregnant liquor stream into a minor portion of about 10 to about 25% by volume of the total incoming pregnant liquor stream, and directing that stream into a series of small tanks where the minor stream is permitted to agglomerate. Fine aluminum hydroxide seed having a median particle size of between about 30 and about 60 microns is added to this stream. The slurry resulting from the agglomeration stage is then directed to a set of larger vessels in which the growth stage will take place. At this point, the remaining portion of the pregnant liquor is combined with the slurry resulting from the agglomeration stage. A coarse seed charge of about 150 to about 600 grams/liter of seed having a median particle size of between about 80 and about 100 microns is charged into the second set of vessels.

Abstract: An improved process for precipitating alumina from Bayer process liquors is disclosed. The process involves dividing an incoming pregnant liquor stream into a minor portion of about 10 to about 25% of the total incoming pregnant liquor stream, and directing that stream into a series of small tanks where the minor stream is permitted to agglomerate. Fine aluminum hydroxide seed having a median particle size of between about 30 and about 60 microns is added to this stream. The slurry resulting from the agglomeration stage is then directed to a set of larger vessels in which the growth stage will take place. At this point, the remaining portion of the pregnant liquor is combined with the slurry resulting from the agglomeration stage. A coarse seed charge of about 150 to about 600 grams/liter of seed having a median particle size of between about 80 and about 100 microns is charged into the second set of vessels. This improved process helps to increase the yield of a strong coarse aluminum trihydroxide product.

Abstract: Process for preparing a photographic emulsion containing tabular silver halide grains, which exhibit high speed upon sensitization, having a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.5 .mu.m, average grain volume of about 0.05 to 1.0 .mu.m.sup.3 and mean aspect ratio of greater than 2:1 comprisingA. adding silver nitrate to a vessel containing dispersing medium/bromide mixture, initial bromide ion concentration 0.08 to 0.25 N, to form tabular seed grains;B. adding an ammoniacal base solution, to achieve 0.002 to 0.2 normal of the base (e.g., after at least 2% of total silver nitrate has been added); andC. adding additional silver nitrate and halide, e.g., Br.sup.- or BrI.sup.-, by balanced double jet procedure. The emulsions are used in photographic elements for x-ray, graphic arts, etc.