Collaborative Spreadsheet Embedding and Management

Abstract

A collaborative content management system allows for the mutual-synchronization of content within a spreadsheet and within a document in which a set of spreadsheet cells are embedded. When a user modifies the embedded set of cells, the spreadsheet is updated to reflect the modification. A set of tasks, for instance each associated with descriptive text and one or more interactive elements, can be incorporated into a set of spreadsheet cells such that a user can interact with the tasks. A data value from a spreadsheet cell can be embedded into a document such that when the spreadsheet is updated and the data value changes, the corresponding embedded data value within the document can be changed. Spreadsheets can also include comments that can be navigated using a movable interface element that changes position within the spreadsheet based on a location of a set of cells corresponding to a comment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 storing, by a content management system, a first content item comprising cells organized into one or more columns and one or more rows and a second content item not comprising the cells of the first content item;   receiving, by the content management system, a request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item;   in response to receiving the request, embedding, by the content management system, the cells of the first content item into the second content item;   receiving, by the content management system, an edit to the second content item, the edit comprising a change to data included within the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item; and   in response to receiving the edit to the second content item, updating, by the content management system, the first content item to reflect the change.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item is received from a client device based on user input of a user interface of the client device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item includes metadata describing a location of the first content item in the content management system and an identifier for each of the cells of the first content item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updating of the first content item to reflect the change is additionally responsive to a request to synchronize the first content item. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updating of the first content item to reflect the change is additionally responsive to determining that a user has accessed either the first content item or the second content item. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item cells have a same organization as the one or more columns and one or more rows corresponding to cells of the first content item. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first content item is displayed on a first device and the second content item is displayed on a second device, wherein the edit to the second content item comprising the change to data included within the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item is received via the second device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first content item displayed on the first device is updated responsive to receiving the edit to the second content item via the second device. 
     
     
         9 . A content management system comprising:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
 storing a first content item comprising cells organized into one or more columns and one or more rows and a second content item not comprising the cells of the first content item; 
 receiving a request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item; 
 in response to receiving the request, embedding the cells of the first content item into the second content item; 
 receiving an edit to the second content item, the edit comprising a change to data included within the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item; and 
 in response to receiving the edit to the second content item, updating the first content item to reflect the change. 
   
     
     
         10 . The content management system of  claim 9 , wherein the request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item is received from a client device based on user input of a user interface of the client device. 
     
     
         11 . The content management system of  claim 9 , wherein the request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item includes metadata describing a location of the first content item in the content management system and an identifier for each of the cells of the first content item. 
     
     
         12 . The content management system of  claim 11 , wherein the updating of the first content item to reflect the change is additionally responsive to a request to synchronize the first content item. 
     
     
         13 . The content management system of  claim 11 , wherein the updating of the first content item to reflect the change is additionally responsive to determining that a user has accessed either the first content item or the second content item. 
     
     
         14 . The content management system of  claim 11 , wherein the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item cells have a same organization as the one or more columns and one or more rows corresponding to cells of the first content item. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
 storing, by the processor, a first content item comprising cells organized into one or more columns and one or more rows and a second content item not comprising the cells of the first content item;   receiving, by the processor, a request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item;   in response to receiving the request, embedding, by the processor, the cells of the first content item into the second content item;   receiving, by the processor, an edit to the second content item, the edit comprising a change to data included within the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item; and   in response to receiving the edit to the second content item, updating, by the processor, the first content item to reflect the change.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item is received from a client device based on user input of a user interface of the client device. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the request to embed the cells of the first content item within the second content item includes metadata describing a location of the first content item in the content management system and an identifier for each of the cells of the first content item. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the updating of the first content item to reflect the change is additionally responsive to a request to synchronize the first content item. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the updating of the first content item to reflect the change is additionally responsive to determining that a user has accessed either the first content item or the second content item. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the cells of the first content item that are embedded into the second content item cells have a same organization as the one or more columns and one or more rows corresponding to cells of the first content item.