Patent ID: 7634730
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display device and one or more user interface selection devices, a method for manipulating data in a data application, comprising: displaying one or more task helpers and associated descriptions on the display device, wherein the task helpers correspond to data manipulation tasks, and wherein the task helpers and associated descriptions are displayed in plain non-mathematical language; receiving from a user a selection of a task helper; receiving from the user a selection of data; scanning the selection of data for data headers, wherein once data headers are located saving the data headers and arranging the data headers in a list; displaying one or more sequential dialog windows comprising plain non-mathematical language prompts and related user entry areas, wherein the plain non-mathematical language prompts enable a user to customize the data manipulation task without knowledge of formula syntax or abbreviated formula titles, and wherein the one or more sequential dialog windows include navigation buttons that are active or inactive depending on a status of the one or more sequential dialog windows, wherein the navigation buttons are initially inactive; in response to the plain non-mathematical language prompts, receiving one or more parameters from a user selection device into the related user entry areas, wherein the one or more parameters define the data manipulation task, and wherein the one or more parameters can be selected from the list of data headers; determining whether the one or more parameters contain non-recognizable characters; if the one or more parameters contain non-recognizable characters, generating a pop up window telling the user that the one or more parameters contain non-recognizable characters; determining the status of the one or more sequential dialog windows; based upon the determination of the status, activating the navigation button to receive a selection to proceed; automatically generating a formula according to the parameters received in the related user entry areas; applying the formula to the selection of data; and displaying a result, thereby completing the data manipulation task associated with the selected task helper.