System and method for comparing digital data in spreadsheets or database tables

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product compares data in original and modified versions of spreadsheet or database table documents, and generates a comparison document having indications where changes between the documents are present. The data compared includes formulas or stored procedures that are normally hidden when viewing a spreadsheet or database table document.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of comparing spreadsheet or database table documents, the method comprising:
 receiving information identifying first and second spreadsheet or database table documents;   comparing values of cells of the first document with values of corresponding cells of the second document;   detecting whether formulas or stored procedures exist within the first and second documents;   comparing any detected formulas or stored procedures of the first document with those of the second document; and   generating a comparison document including indications of any changes between the compared corresponding cells, and any detected formulas or stored procedures of the first and second documents.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one detected formula and stored procedure is used to compute contents of at least one of the cells in the first or second document. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving user defined formatting parameters for comparing the cell values and the formulas or stored procedures of the first and second documents.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving user defined parameters for formatting the indication of changes between the compared corresponding cells, formulas or stored procedures of the first and second documents.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said defined parameters determine the appearance of how the indicated changes are to be displayed in the comparison document. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying changes between the detected formulas or stored procedures of the first and second documents.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the comparison document includes a presentation of the first spreadsheet or database table document, the second spreadsheet or database table document and a redline version of the comparison of the first and second spreadsheet or database table. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 generating a panel or window for display that enables line-item management of all changes presented in the comparison document.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of a at least one sheet or table within the first and second documents for comparison, wherein said comparing values of cells, detecting whether formulas or stored procedures exist, and comparing are performed only on a selected sheet or table.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of one or more area within the first and second documents for comparison, wherein said comparing values of cells, detecting whether formulas or stored procedures exist, and comparing are performed only on a selected area.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying a macro to process the first and second document before comparing the cell values and detected formulas of the first and second documents.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the macro is selected, created, imported or exported before applying the macro to the first and second document. 
     
     
         13 . A computer program product containing computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method of comparing spreadsheet or database table documents, comprising the steps of:
 receiving information identifying first and second spreadsheet or database table documents;   comparing values of cells of the first document with values of corresponding cells of the second document;   detecting whether formulas or stored procedures exist within the first and second documents;   comparing the detected formulas or stored procedures of the first document with those of the second document; and   generating a comparison document including indications of any changes between the compared corresponding cells, and formulas or stored procedures of the first and second documents.   
     
     
         14 . A computer implemented system for comparing spreadsheet or database table documents, the system comprising:
 a computer having a processor that reads computer executable instructions from a memory for performing the steps of:   comparing values of cells of the first document with values of corresponding cells of the second document;   detecting whether formulas or stored procedures exist within the first and second documents;   comparing any detected formulas or stored procedures of the first document with those of the second document; and   generating a comparison document including indications of any changes between the compared corresponding cells, and any detected formulas or stored procedures of the first and second documents.