Abstract: A user interface element and a visual indicator are displayed to show both a current selected area that tracks a user's touch input and an indication of any items that are considered to be selected (the potential selection). The user interface element (e.g. a border) is displayed whose size may be adjusted by a user using touch input to select more/fewer items. An item visual indicator is displayed for items that are considered to be a potential selection (e.g. items that would be selected if the touch input were to end at the current time). The item visual indicator is configured to show the user an indication of currently selected items without the border appearing to jump in response to another item being selected/deselected. The item visual indicator helps to avoid the need for a user to re-adjust the selection or get unexpected results.

Abstract: A computing system performs a column adjustment process. The column adjustment process uses multiple threads to determine overall maximum column widths for each column in a set of target columns in a spreadsheet table. For each of the target columns, the overall maximum column width for the target column is based on the width of the widest textual representation of a value in any cell in the column. The set of target columns includes at least one column. The computing system then reflows the spreadsheet table such that each column in the set of target columns has a width based on the overall maximum column width for the column. A similar process is performed to adjust the height of rows.

Abstract: To perform a sort operation on a spreadsheet table, data items in the spreadsheet table are divided into a plurality of blocks. Multiple threads are then used to sort the data items in the blocks. After the data items in the blocks are sorted, multiple threads are used to merge the blocks into a final block. The final block contains each of the data items in the spreadsheet table. A sorted version of the spreadsheet table is then displayed. Data items in the sorted version of the spreadsheet table have the same order as an order of data items in the final block.

Abstract: An open file format is used to represent the features and data associated with a spreadsheet application within a document. The file format simplifies the way a spreadsheet application organizes document features and data, and presents a logical model that is easily accessible. The file format is made up of a collection of modular parts that are stored within a container. The modular parts are logically separate but are associated with one another by one or more relationships. Each of the modular parts is capable of being interrogated separately regardless of whether or not the application that created the document is running. Each modular part is capable of having information extracted from it and copied into another document and reused. Information may also be changed, added, and deleted from each of the modular parts.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for embedding an object in a receiving or client document such that a client application may operate on the embedded object to include interrogation and modification of data contained in the embedded object. When a given document object is embedded into a receiving document, data representing the embedded object is saved to a data stream storage for the receiving document. When the embedded object in the receiving document is subsequently requested in response to an operation executed on the embedded object, the receiving application obtains the data representation of the embedded object from the data stream storage. Once the receiving application obtains the data representation of the embedded object, the receiving application may perform operations on the embedded object by accessing the embedded object via its data representation.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for saving the contents of a memory structure stored in a volatile memory. According to the method, corrupted portions of the memory structure are identified and an attempt is made to repair these portions. If the corrupted portions cannot be repaired, the saving of these portions is skipped. The uncorrupted and repaired portions of the memory structure are then saved to a data file stored on a mass storage device. If portions of the memory structure cannot be repaired or skipped, an attempt is made to save only the user data contained in the memory structure to the data file. In this manner, the user data contained in the memory structure may be saved to a data file even in cases of severe corruption.

Abstract: File formats, methods, and computer program products are provided for representing a workbook in a modular content framework. The modular content framework may include a file format container associated with modular parts. A file format includes logically separate modular parts that are associated with each other by one or more relationships where each modular part is associated with a relationship type. The modular parts include a workbook part operative as a guide for properties of the workbook and a worksheet part associated with the workbook part and operative to specify a definition of cells within a worksheet associated with the worksheet part. The modular parts may also include a document properties part containing built-in properties associated with the file format and a thumbnail part containing associated thumbnails. Each modular part is capable of being interrogated separately, extracted from the workbook, and/or reused in a different workbook.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for loading the contents of an electronic data file. According to the method, corrupted portions of a data file are identified and an attempt is made to repair these portions. If the corrupted portions cannot be repaired, the loading of these portions is skipped. The uncorrupted and repaired portions of the data file are then loaded into memory. If portions of the data file cannot be repaired or skipped, an attempt is made to load only the user data contained in the data file. In this manner, the user data contained in the data file may be loaded even in cases of severe corruption.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for breaking a computer-generated document into a number of components where the components have explicit relationships with each other. A relationship representation is generated for the components of the document. A user may then navigate the relationships between the components to quickly understand the nature of the document and its components and to locate particular portions of the document that are important to the user. In addition, the user may open, edit and reuse particular components of the document apart from the rest of the document and without having to open or edit the document.