Patent ID: 8584004
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method to be executed at least in part in a computing device for managing asynchronous functions within a spreadsheet application, the method comprising: initiating computations within a spreadsheet, the computations including the simultaneous execution of multiple asynchronous functions using a single calculation thread when an asynchronous function is encountered during the computations, beginning an execution of the asynchronous function, wherein the asynchronous function involves extensive processing causing a prolonged delay in the computations, wherein the asynchronous function further involves retrieval of data from a data source; continuing the computations involving functions independent from the asynchronous function being executed without waiting for a result of the asynchronous function execution to be returned; periodically checking a cancellation flag to determine whether pending computations should be stopped; providing a calculation cancellation event in response to receiving an interrupt to prevent an endless loop in the computations; when the result of the asynchronous function execution is returned, continuing the computations involving functions dependent from the asynchronous function and any remaining functions that have not yet been executed; when the computations are completed, updating the spreadsheet; and presenting the updated spreadsheet by displaying through a user interface associated with the spreadsheet application.