Patent ID: 8645853

Claim:
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions to cause at least one data processor of at least one computing system to: provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI) with a plurality of visualization types and a semi-structured workspace, wherein the semi-structured work space is a distinct section of the GUI that allows a user to select one or more visualizations and arrange them in a limited number of configurations and the visualization type selected comprises at least one of: a record set, a table, a crosstab, a chart, a graphic or a metadata panel; receive a drag-and-drop of a new visualization into a drop zone in the semi-structured workspace wherein: the drop zone corresponds to a location in the semi-structured workspace where an associated visualization is displayed; and the new visualization divides a workspace in two with the new visualization positioned in the drop zone and the associated visualization in the remaining area, wherein the new visualization is automatically linked to the data source query that was linked to the associated visualization and a change of a link to point to a different data source query causes the associated visualization to be updated; receive input activating an alternative drop mode; move through a list of available drop zones for a new visualization upon receiving an input such that each available drop zone is highlighted as the available drop zone is moved through; and drop the new visualization in a selected available drop zone from the list of available drop zones.