Abstract: A computer-based method for extracting multi-dimensional data from a spreadsheet is disclosed. The method includes a spreadsheet application that has a language for spreadsheet expressions describing calculation relationships among data entities in the spreadsheet application. The method also includes steps for providing a multi-dimensional data storage that has a n-cube (or “cube”) data definition language; providing a spreadsheet in the spreadsheet application that contains a plurality of spreadsheet expressions; parsing the plurality of spreadsheet expressions; and transforming the set of spreadsheet expressions into a set of cube expressions for defining a set of cube entities, which include dimensions. The cube expressions conform to the cube data definition language, and each spreadsheet expression corresponds to a cube expression.

Abstract: A computer-based method for multi-dimensional data entry in a spreadsheet application by a user is disclosed. The method includes providing a multi-dimensional data storage source and configuring a spreadsheet to display elements of the multi-dimensional data storage in an initial unedited state. The user can edit a data value of an element. The method also includes displaying the edited data values in the spreadsheet and allowing the user at least the option to commit the edited data values to the multi-dimensional data storage, and the option to return the multi-dimensional data storage to the initial unedited state.