Token representation of references and function arguments

Abstract

A token representation of references and function arguments is disclosed. In some embodiments, an indication that a formula is being entered into a cell is received, and references and/or function arguments in the formula, if any, are represented as tokens. Each token comprises an atomic user interface object. In various embodiments, references are rendered as reference tokens and function arguments are rendered as argument tokens and/or mode tokens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer program product for processing data, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:
 receiving an indication that a formula is being entered into a cell; and   representing at least one of a reference in the formula and an argument of the formula with a token or other atomic user interface object.   
     
     
         2 . The computer program product recited in  claim 1 , wherein a reference refers to one or more of: a single cell, a plurality of cells, a range or span of cells, a row of cells, a column of cells, body cells of a table, and all cells of a table. 
     
     
         3 . The computer program product recited in  claim 1 , further comprising computer instructions for inserting, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of one or more cells, a reference token that refers to the selected cells into the formula. 
     
     
         4 . The computer program product recited in  claim 1 , further comprising computer instructions for receiving a plain text representation of a reference in a formula and transforming the plain text representation into a reference token. 
     
     
         5 . The computer program product recited in  claim 1 , wherein the argument comprises a function argument and is represented in the formula as an argument token. 
     
     
         6 . The computer program product recited in  claim 5 , wherein the argument token comprises a placeholder token that represents a position of the argument in an argument list of the function and indicates a type of data expected for the argument. 
     
     
         7 . The computer program product recited in  claim 6 , further comprising computer instructions for replacing the argument token with a reference token, a value token, or a plain text value. 
     
     
         8 . The computer program product recited in  claim 5 , wherein the argument token comprises a mode token and wherein the mode token is associated with a menu from which an allowed value for the argument being represented by the mode token can be selected. 
     
     
         9 . The computer program product recited in  claim 1 , wherein a token comprises one or more user interface object features and behaviors. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product recited in  claim 1 , further comprising computer instructions for one or more: allowing selection of a token using a single select operation; allowing a token to be dragged and/or dropped to a desired position; allowing a set of one or more tokens to be simultaneously selected and moved as a group; allowing a menu to be associated with a token; allowing a tool tip to be associated with one or more of a function, a token, and a menu option associated with a token; rendering different types of tokens in different visual styles; coloring a reference token and an associated cell or cell range outline in a same unique color; allowing toggling between a keyboard reference insertion mode and normal editing mode via a prescribed toggle key; and providing a throbbing token as a visual indication of being in a keyboard reference insertion mode. 
     
     
         11 . A system for processing data, comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 receive an indication that a formula is being entered into a cell; and 
 represent at least one of a reference in the formula and an argument of the formula with a token or other atomic user interface object; and 
   a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.   
     
     
         12 . The system recited in  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to insert, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of one or more cells, a reference token that refers to the selected cells into the formula. 
     
     
         13 . The system recited in  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a plain text representation of a reference in a formula and transform the plain text representation into a reference token. 
     
     
         14 . The system recited in  claim 11 , wherein the argument comprises a function argument and is represented in the formula as an argument token. 
     
     
         15 . The system recited in  claim 14 , wherein the argument token comprises a placeholder token that represents a position of the argument in an argument list of the function and indicates a type of data expected for the argument. 
     
     
         16 . A method for processing data, comprising:
 receiving an indication that a formula is being entered into a cell; and   representing at least one of a reference in the formula and an argument of the formula with a token or other atomic user interface object.   
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 16 , further comprising inserting, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of one or more cells, a reference token that refers to the selected cells into the formula. 
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 16 , further comprising receiving a plain text representation of a reference in a formula and transforming the plain text representation into a reference token. 
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 16 , wherein the argument comprises a function argument and is represented in the formula as an argument token. 
     
     
         20 . The method recited in  claim 19 , wherein the argument token comprises a placeholder token that represents a position of the argument in an argument list of the function and indicates a type of data expected for the argument.