Abstract: The data visualization systems and methods of this invention provide a powerful tool for visualizing multi-dimensional databases. In one exemplary embodiment, the data visualization systems and methods of this invention visualize pivot tables using two novel visual metaphors: a single measure perspective consisting of linked bar charts and a multiscape landscape visualization; and a anchored measures perspective for displaying several measures simultaneously. The data visualization systems and methods of this invention usefully display much larger pivot tables than is possible using conventional interfaces and provide the ability to navigate through complex cubes to identify important structures. In various exemplary embodiments, the data visualization systems and methods of this invention attach to MS Excel™ as an add-on, access pivot tables directly from SQL Server 7.0, and integrate with MS Office.

Abstract: A tree-structured workflow control and a tree-structured report selection control allow users to easily display data and generate reports, without having to actively determine the various measures and dimensions to be displayed in various interactive views of the data and various simple and advanced reports. By linking predetermined sets of dimensions, measures and views to predetermined workflow control entries and report selection entries in a tree structure having labels on the branches and leaves that are logically related to the associated predetermined sets, the user can immediately obtain a data visualization perspective or a report without having to actively select the particular dimensions and measures for display, and without having to actively arrange the selected dimensions into a multi-dimensional view.