Abstract: A graphical programming system with a spreadsheet base for enabling users to create graphical programs for displaying and manipulating data. The system architecture supports direct entry of information into cells and cell extension to display all information entered into a cell in one view. The architecture further supports modified formulas known as actions that execute only after being independently initiated by a user or another process. Conditional functions known as "watchers" are also provided. Watchers contain procedures to perform and permit a program created with the system to monitor data and respond to it. For ease of understanding, information within cells may be represented graphically by objects such as buttons and meters. The objects may be user-designed or provided by the programming system. They are selected via pop-up menus and list windows within the system's user interface.