Although there has been research into ways to design spreadsheet systems to improve the processes of creating new spreadsheets and of understanding existing ones, little attention has been given to helping users of these environments test their spreadsheets. To help address this need, we introduce two visual approaches to testing large grids in spreadsheet systems. The first approach is a straightforward extension of a visual testing methodology we previously developed for individual cells (and hence is termed the Straightforward approach), and serves as a useful baseline with which to compare the second approach. The second approach, termed the Region Representative approach, contributes scalability by overcoming the inefficiency of the Straightforward approach. Prototypes of both approaches have been tightly integrated into Forms/3, a research spreadsheet language, and communication with the user happens solely through the use of checkbox devices and coloring mechanisms. The intent of this work is to bring to end users at least some of the benefits of formalized notions of testing, without requiring knowledge of testing beyond a naive level. / Graduation date: 2000

A table is often the preferred medium for presenting quantative information. In some cases the presentation of quantative information can be presented as textual data or graphics at a loss of precision and clarity. The subject of this thesis is to aid the extraction and production of quality tables from a common means of preparing data in tabular form, the spreadsheet. Spreadsheet processors are in common use. Many tables are prepared by a range of users from the na??ıve users to experts in graphic arts. Spreadsheet data is also produced in automatic form from applications. We will review the specification of tabular data, presentation formats, and the systems and their associated formats for storing and interchange of data. The goal of this research is the specification and development of a system to convert common spreadsheet data to a markup language that will allow for presentation of the data at a higher level of typographic excellence. The desired characteristics of this system will include 1. Robust importing of data from an array of commercial and open spreadsheet processors 2. Formatting decisions of the output specified by the user rather than taken from the spreadsheet 3. Development or identification of a canonical form that is robust, does not lose data, and allows for repeated automatic application of styles 4. Development of a program to convert this canonical form into a markup system.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-109). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-81). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-202). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-81). Also available on the Internet.

According to Brail, a planning professor at Rutgers University, it is abundantly clear that the electronic spreadsheet is the single most important computer tool available to the practicing planner, (working paper, 1985,1) What is the value, measured in increased productivity, of spreadsheet programs to planners? Spreadsheet programs, referred to simply as spreadsheets, are an enhanced version of the paper spreadsheet. Paper spreadsheets are tabular forms commonly used by bookkeepers and accountants. Spreadsheets perform computations that would be tedious and perhaps impossible on a paper spreadsheet. A number of factors influence the value of spreadsheets to planners. This thesis discuses three factors in detail: the capabilities of spreadsheets, the utility of the planning models whose computations sometimes involve spreadsheets, and the savings in development time by employing spreadsheet templates. Assessing the capabilities of spreadsheets requires clarifying the concept of spreadsheets and describing their general applications. Clarifying the concept includes defining spreadsheet terms such as worksheet, functions, macros, and templates', depicting the evolution of spreadsheets; highlighting differences between spreadsheet packages; and noting the limitations of spreadsheets. Describing the general applications involves discussing the three major uses of spreadsheets: table production, numerical analysis, and the testing of "what if scenarios. Evaluating the utility of the planning models whose computations sometimes involve spreadsheets requires two steps. The first step establishes the relationship between models and spreadsheets in data analysis for planning. The second step examines the advantages and disadvantages of the planning models. Determining the savings in development time by employing templates involves three steps. The first step constructs criteria by which to evaluate the structure of a template for accuracy and ease of use. The second step examines how well available templates fit the planning model discussed. The third step evaluates the structure of each of the templates using the criteria constructed. Five chapters compose the body of the thesis. The first chapter explains the concept of the spreadsheet. The second chapter illustrates the general applications of spreadsheets, determines the role of spreadsheets in data analysis for planning, and develops criteria by which to evaluate a template's structure. Each of the last three chapters demonstrates the potential of spreadsheets to planners by describing and evaluating planning models and spreadsheet templates. There are many factors influencing the value of spreadsheets to planners not covered in this thesis which may prove grounds for further research. The thesis ignores the affect the planner's access to computers and programs, knowledge of computers, and attitude towards computers has on the value of spreadsheets. Furthermore, the thesis does not establish the relative worth of spreadsheets in comparison to other possible tools for performing the computation of a planning model. Therefore, this thesis is unable to confirm Brail's claim that spreadsheets are the most important computer tool. Nevertheless, this thesis provides reasons for Brail's enthusiasm towards spreadsheets. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Spreadsheets are arguably the most widely used programming language in use today, yet spreadsheets commonly contain errors. Research shows that regardless of the experience of the end user, an alarming number of spreadsheets contain errors (91% in recent field audits). Most spreadsheets are created by end users with little or no programming experience. Unfortunately, software engineering research has largely ignored these users. In an attempt to reduce this high error rate, our research is aimed at bringing the benefits of software engineering to end users without requiring that they first learn software engineering principles. One mechanism for creating error-free programs is assertions. An assertion is a program property that always holds. It provides a way to attach more of the specification to the program. We have developed an assertion tool for spreadsheet languages that extends Microsoft Excel's validation scheme and includes capabilities such as assertion propagation. This work describes an empirical study done to assess how well end users understand and use the information provided by the assertion tool as they perform maintenance tasks. The study also provides information about end users' testing behavior. / Graduation date: 2002

A method is presented of acquiring the principles of three sorting algorithms through developing interactive applications in Excel.

EXCEL SHEET BASED SEMANTIC EMAIL Rajesekhar R, Dandolu December 10, 2004. 47 Pages Directed by: Dr. Guangming Xing Department of Computer Science Western Kentucky University The Semantic Web is an extension of the current web in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation. The Semantic Web envisions a portion of the World-Wide Web in which the underlying data is machine understandable and can thus be exploited for improved querying, aggregation, and interaction. Excel Sheet Based Semantic Email is a type of Semantic Web application, which deals with the understanding of emails received and performing corresponding actions according to the schema specified in the email. The user can compose an email structure and specify all the semantic actions and necessary information related to a particular schema. The emails received are processed according to the schema format to which they belong and corresponding semantic actions are taken. In this project, Semantic Email is implemented by encoding the information in Excel Sheets. It could be reengineered to support heterogeneous semantic actions based on the particular application. The project can be enhanced providing a web interface, apart from the email system that is currently used as the way of communication. The clients can directly use the web page,