Patent ID: 6592626
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method within a data processing system for manipulating cell contents of a protected cell in a spreadsheet file having a plurality of standard cells, said method comprising:enabling a developer to convert at least one standard cell of said spreadsheet file to a swappable cell only when said spreadsheet file is not sealed, wherein said swappable cell includes a safe mode in which cell contents are protected from modification and a free mode in which cell contents are not protected from modification; in response to a request by said developer to convert said at least one standard cell to a swappable cell: adding an entry in a swap table; copying cell contents of said swappable cell to said entry; and setting said swappable cell to said safe mode; enabling a user to toggle said swappable cell between said safe mode and said free mode only when said spreadsheet file is sealed; in response to a request by said user to toggle said swappable cell from said safe mode to said free mode: replacing cell contents of said swappable cell with a value; and setting said swappable cell to said free mode; and in response to a request by said user to toggle said swappable cell from said free mode to said safe mode: copying contents of said entry from said swap table to said swappable cell; and setting said swappable cell to said safe mode, such that said user can temporarily modify contents of a protected cell.