Patent ID: 7617443

Claim:
A method of consolidating data from multiple spreadsheets comprising: storing a custom search, wherein the custom search enables execution of a predetermined search, wherein the predetermined search includes a search of a user-selected subset of cells, rows and columns of one or more of the spreadsheets; receiving a selection of a plurality of spreadsheets via a graphical control panel, the graphical control panel comprising a spreadsheet selection area that includes a workbook selection area to select workbooks that are not open for inclusion in the selection of the plurality of spreadsheets; receiving a selection of portions of data from files corresponding to each of the plurality of spreadsheets; wherein the portions of data comprise results of the custom search within the plurality of spreadsheets; and executing automated consolidation of the portions of data, wherein the automated consolidation comprises: retrieving the portions of data; generating a final report spreadsheet; appending the portions of data to the final report spreadsheet; and appending information identifying sources of the portions of data to the final report spreadsheet.