Patent ID: 8161372

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for operating on extensible values, comprising: obtaining an extensible value directly from a cell of a spreadsheet that is a true value such that the cell itself contains the value; wherein the extensible value is one of an extensible value data type; wherein base objects and the extensible value objects are defined using a same data structure, wherein the same data structure includes an extensible value data field that points to the extensible object when an extensible value object is defined and is null when base objects are defined; and performing an operation involving the extensible value; wherein the extensible value is treated similarly to base values; wherein each function that manipulates data within the spreadsheet is located within a function table that includes base functions and functions relating to the extensible value data type; wherein all of the functions relating to the extensible value data type that are included within the function table are defined by a third-party developer; wherein the extensible value type defines a definition describing how to display a representation of the extensible value data type within the cell of the spreadsheet and a definition describing how to display a user interface element external from the cell that is used to show the extensible value.