Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying one or more visual indicators to assist users in identifying cells of a spreadsheet that are affected by an operation. In embodiments disclosed herein, an application is configured to receive a request to perform an operation on at least one cell of the spreadsheet. The application then identifies cells of the spreadsheet that are affected by the operation. The application then displays a visual indicator to emphasize the affected cells. By providing a timely displayed visual indicator that brings attention to affected cells, the user is able to gain a better perspective of the extent of the operation and how the operation applies to the cells of the spreadsheet.

Abstract: An ink object component of a content creation application is provided that can transform an ink object into a multi-layered ink object that enables a user to move between the layers without losing access to the previous layers or the original ink object. One or more ink strokes can be received, displayed, and stored in an ink object. The ink object can be transformed into a multi-layered ink object by obtaining content objects based on recognized entities of the ink object and generating a data structure storing the content objects associated with the ink object. Conversion between layers of the multi-layered ink object can be performed in response to a designated gesture and can include displaying any of the content objects or the one or more ink strokes in place of the one or more ink strokes.

Abstract: An ink object component of a content creation application is provided that can transform an ink object into a multi-layered ink object that enables a user to move between the layers without losing access to the previous layers or the original ink object. One or more ink strokes can be received, displayed, and stored in an ink object. The ink object can be transformed into a multi-layered ink object by obtaining content objects based on recognized entities of the ink object and generating a data structure storing the content objects associated with the ink object. Conversion between layers of the multi-layered ink object can be performed in response to a designated gesture and can include displaying any of the content objects or the one or more ink strokes in place of the one or more ink strokes.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying one or more visual indicators to assist users in identifying cells of a spreadsheet that are affected by an operation. In embodiments disclosed herein, an application is configured to receive a request to perform an operation on at least one cell of the spreadsheet. The application then identifies cells of the spreadsheet that are affected by the operation. The application then displays a visual indicator to emphasize the affected cells. By providing a timely displayed visual indicator that brings attention to affected cells, the user is able to gain a better perspective of the extent of the operation and how the operation applies to the cells of the spreadsheet.

Abstract: Associating comments with named objects is provided. A document may include a comment attached to a named object (e.g., a chart, a named range, a table, a pivot table, a piece of data in a pivot table, a shape, a picture, a graphic, clip art, an object within an object, etc.). The document may also comprise metadata associated with the comment that may include information such as the named object to which the comment is attached. If the named object is moved, the comment may remain attached to the object and accordingly, may be moved with the object. Attaching a comment to a named object via selecting the comment from a comments pane, dragging, and then dropping the comment onto the named object is also provided.