Abstract: A method for automatically and dynamically collecting new data entered into an electronic document includes the step of providing a database having initial data and an initial data structure. The new data is retrieved as the new data is entered into the electronic document. The new data includes a data value and one or more data descriptors corresponding to the data value. One of the one or more data descriptors is assigned as a data item. The data item defines a variable the value of which varies based on the data value. One or more dimensions of the data value are determined based on at least one of the one or more data descriptors. The initial data structure is reorganized into a modified data structure based on the at least one or more dimensions and the data item, so that the new data may be stored in the modified data structure in a manner that allows the initial data and the new data to be later retrieved from the modified data structure. The new data is stored in the modified data structure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of linking a predefined set of electronic data sources comprises electronically identifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based on a query statement, electronically determining first data sources in which at least one of one or more source fields is equivalent to the query data item, determining whether any one of the first data sources has the ability to provide the data related to the one or more query dimensions, and identifying one or more second data sources within the database corresponding to one or more of the first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources includes the steps of electronically determining data sources in which at least one of one or more source fields is the same as a query data item of a query statement, electronically and dynamically ranking the data sources in which at least one of the one or more source fields is the same as the query data item based on at least the ability of the data sources to provide data at one or more query dimensions of the query statement and the extent of aggregation necessary to provide the data, and electronically identifying one or more of the data sources having the highest rank as preferred data sources for locating the data value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources includes a step of identifying one or more second data sources corresponding to one or more first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to one or more query dimensions of a query statement. The identified one or more second data sources meet the following criteria: (1) one or more source fields of the one or more second data sources are equivalent to the one or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source; and (2) each source dimension field of the one or more second data sources are either: (A) equivalent to a source field of the first source or (B) have values that are capable of being obtained from the query statement. The one or more first data sources are linked with the corresponding one or more second data sources to generate one or more composite data sources.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources includes a step of identifying one or more second data sources corresponding to one or more first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to one or more query dimensions of a query statement. The identified one or more second data sources meet the following criteria: (1) one or more source fields of the one or more second data sources are equivalent to the one or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source; and (2) each source dimension field of the one or more second data sources are either: (A) equivalent to a source field of the first source or (B) have values that are capable of being obtained from the query statement. The one or more first data sources are linked with the corresponding one or more second data sources to generate one or more composite data sources.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources includes the steps of electronically determining data sources in which at least one of one or more source fields is the same as a query data item of a query statement, electronically and dynamically ranking the data sources in which at least one of the one or more source fields is the same as the query data item based on at least the ability of the data sources to provide data at one or more query dimensions of the query statement and the extent of aggregation necessary to provide the data, and electronically identifying one or more of the data sources having the highest rank as preferred data sources for locating the data value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources, including the steps of: providing a database containing metadata related to the predefined set of electronic data sources, the metadata comprising, for each electronic data source, one or more source data items and one or more source dimensions; electronically receiving first signals at a processor, the first signals related to a query for a data value; electronically identifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based on the query; electronically determining the data sources in which at least one of the one or more source data items is the same as the query data item; for each of the data sources in which at least one of the one or more source data items is the same as the query data item, electronically assigning a score to the data source based on at least the ability of the data source to provide data at the one or more query dimensions and the extent of aggregation necessary to provide the data; el

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of linking a predefined set of electronic data sources comprises electronically identifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based on a query statement, electronically determining first data sources in which at least one of one or more source fields is equivalent to the query data item, determining whether any one of the first data sources has the ability to provide the data related to the one or more query dimensions, and identifying one or more second data sources within the database corresponding to one or more of the first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions.

Abstract: A method for automatically and dynamically collecting new data entered into an electronic document includes the step of providing a database having initial data and an initial data structure. The new data is retrieved as the new data is entered into the electronic document. The new data includes a data value and one or more data descriptors corresponding to the data value. One of the one or more data descriptors is assigned as a data item. The data item defines a variable the value of which varies based on the data value. One or more dimensions of the data value are determined based on at least one of the one or more data descriptors. The initial data structure is reorganized into a modified data structure based on the at least one or more dimensions and the data item, so that the new data may be stored in the modified data structure in a manner that allows the initial data and the new data to be later retrieved from the modified data structure. The new data is stored in the modified data structure.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating target information within an electronic document including the steps of: retrieving term-based identifying information from the electronic document that specifies the target information to be generated; accessing rules associated with generation of the target information based on the retrieved term-based identifying information; analyzing the identifying information and the rules to identify a type of target information to be generated and a formula that uses underlying data to generate the target information; automatically generating data source instructions based on the type of target information to be generated and the formula; and automatically processing the data source instructions to generate the target information within the electronic document.