Abstract: A data processing application that operates in a constrained formatting mode in which formatting choices for one or more constructs are constrained. An example is provided in which the data processing application is a word processor and the construct is an outline numbered list. The formatting options available in the constrained mode of operation are specified in an artifact associated with the data processing application. Automatic formatting is applied consistently with the limited number of formatting choices. The same artifact may be associated with multiple copies of the data processing application, which ensures users within an enterprise use consistent formatting. In addition to generating more consistent documents, constraining formatting options across an enterprise reduces the possibility that automatic formatting functions generate documents with incorrect formatting as documents, and portions of documents, are shared by individuals within the enterprise.

Abstract: A productivity tool for use in connection with a workgroup server. The tool may be integrated into a computer application, such as a word processor or spread sheet. With the tool, a user may create and organize links to sites, pages or artifacts on the workgroup server. The tool may incorporate browsing functionality to allow appropriate targets of the links to be identified on the workgroup server so that links may be added without the need for a user to specifically input the target address for the link. The tool allows a user to select artifacts that are the targets of the links for processing, whether by the application in which the tool run, other applications on the local computer on which that application runs or applications on the workgroup server.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for capturing an amount of effort expended in working on a document. One or more periods of time during which a document is an active document within an active window on a user interface may be determined. Further, one or more periods of time during which a window in which the document is displayed is a most forward window may be determined. For one or more determined periods of time, one or more temporal intervals may be determined during which it is inferred that effort was not being expended on the document. A total amount of time expended in working on the document may be determined based, at least in part, on the determined one or more periods and the determined one or more temporal intervals. An effort report may be generated including an indication corresponding to the determined total amount of time expended.

Abstract: Systems and methods that simplify a user's ability to created filtered views of personal information items(e.g., calendar entries) presented by a personal organization application (e.g., a version of Microsoft® Outlook®). A user may be able to select a create filtered view tool from a tool bar provided by a user interface. In response to the selection, the user may be presented with a list of selectable attribute values for one or more attributes (e.g., labels and categories). For one or more attributes, the list of attribute values may include only those attribute values that have actually been used by the user for at least one personal information item (e.g., calendar entry). The user may select from the attribute value list, and the selected attribute value(s) may be used to filter the personal information items, from which a filtered view of the personal information items may be displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for redacting portions of a document resulting in one or more versions of the document that show to readers the portions of the document that have been redacted. At least one of these one or more versions may have the content of the redacted portions encrypted and/or actually removed and replaced with a sort of filler (e.g., to resemble a blacked out portion of a paper copy). At least one other version may show to users the actual content that has been redacted. This latter version may be retained for users privy to the content (i.e., information) of the redacted portions, so that they know what content was redacted, whereas versions with the content removed or encrypted may be provided to those not privy to the content.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for enabling a user to select a region within a document, and to specify the creation of content to link to the selected region. The user also may be enabled to specify to access and/or modify already-existing associated content linked to the selected region. In response to the user specifying to create, access (e.g., read-only) or edit a region within the document, a separate window may be launched that enables the user to access, create and/or edit the associated content. This separate window may be a pane or panel within a user interface display of the application within which the document is being edited (i.e., an internal window), or may be a window external to the user interface display.

Abstract: Enabling a user to link to documents through the file menu of an application, including linking to documents of types other then those supported by the application. A user may be provided access, through a file menu of an application, to a link directory of links, at least one of the links linking to a document of a type not supported by the application. In response to the user selecting a link to a document of a type not supported by the application, focus may be transferred to another application that does support the type of document. If the document was not already open, an opening of the document may be initialized, and if the other application was not already running, a launch of the other application may be controlled. A user may be enabled to create, organize and/or refresh a display of a link directory.

Abstract: Text is converted to speech based at least in part on the context of the text. A body of text may be parsed before being converted to speech. Each portion may be analyzed to determine whether it has one or more particular attributes, which may be indicative of context. The conversion of each text portion to speech may be controlled based on these attributes, for example, by setting one or more conversion parameter values for the text portion. The text portions and the associated conversion parameter values may be sent to a text-to-speech engine to perform the conversion to speech, and the generated speech may be stored as an audio file. Audio markers may be placed at one or more locations within the audio file, and these markers may be used to listen to, navigate and/or edit the audio file, for example, using a portable audio device.