Method and computer system for displaying a table with column header inscriptions having a reduced horizontal size Number:7,146,562 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent The header inscription of one or more columns in a data table is reduced in horizontal width. A user having input to a first view of a data table can select a desired column at any location in the column to reduce the horizontal width of the header inscription. The header inscription is reduced in horizontal width, and a second view of the data table is displayed in which the header inscription of the selected column has reduced horizontal width. The header inscriptions of some or all columns in the data table can also be reduced in horizontal width by selection of a single column. Further, the header inscription style utilized in the reduction of the horizontal width can be user selected.<H inscriptions, horizontal, Method, and, comp, 7146562.html, Patent, pto, 7146562

Title: Method and computer system for displaying a table with column header inscriptions having a reduced horizontal size

Abstract: The header inscription of one or more columns in a data table is reduced in horizontal width. A user having input to a first view of a data table can select a desired column at any location in the column to reduce the horizontal width of the header inscription. The header inscription is reduced in horizontal width, and a second view of the data table is displayed in which the header inscription of the selected column has reduced horizontal width. The header inscriptions of some or all columns in the data table can also be reduced in horizontal width by selection of a single column. Further, the header inscription style utilized in the reduction of the horizontal width can be user selected.

Patent Number: 7,146,562 Issued on 12/05/2006 to Janssen

Inventors: Janssen; Ocke (Hamburg, DE)
Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA)

Appl. No.: 10/134,073

Filed: April 26, 2002

Foreign Application Priority Data


Apr 30, 2001 [EP]			01110595

Current U.S. Class: 715/504 ; 715/503; 715/509

Current International Class: G06F 15/00 (20060101); G06F 17/00 (20060101)

Field of Search: 715/504,503,509

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Primary Examiner: Alam; Shahid
Assistant Examiner: Stevens; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gunnison, McKay & Hodgson, L.L.P. Norris; Lisa A.

Claims

I claim:

1. A computer-based method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, the method comprising: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a first list including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the first list; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one header inscription reduction option, a second list including a plurality of header inscription style options; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the second list, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of at least one header inscription style option in the second list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically reducing the first horizontal width further comprises: automatically reducing a first horizontal width of a header inscription in all other columns in the data table to a second horizontal width upon selection of a reduce header inscription of all columns option in the first list.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width in multiple lines upon selection of a multi-line header inscription style option in the second list.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width vertically upon selection of a vertical header inscription style option in the second list.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table upon selection of a diagonal header inscription style option in the second list.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width with smaller character size upon selection of a smaller character size header inscription style option in the second list.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width with narrower character type upon selection of a narrower character type header inscription style option in the second list.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type upon selection of at least one header inscription style option in the second list.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further comprises: positioning a cursor at any place on the at least one column in the first view of the data table; and indicating selection of the column.

10. A computer-based method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, the method comprising: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a list including a plurality of header inscription style options; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the list to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further comprises: positioning a cursor at any place on the at least one column in the first view of the data table; and indicating selection of the column.

13. A computer-based method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, the method comprising: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, upon selection of the at least one column, a first graphical user interface, the first graphical user interface including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the first graphical user interface; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one header inscription reduction option, a second graphical user interface, the second graphical user interface including a plurality of header inscription style options to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type upon selection of at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further comprises: positioning a cursor at any place on the at least one column in the first view of the data table; and indicating selection of the column.

16. A computer program product for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, the computer program product having stored computer-readable instructions for implementing a method comprising: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a first list including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the first list; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one header inscription reduction option, a second list including a plurality of header inscription style options; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the second list, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the second list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein automatically reducing the first horizontal width further comprises: automatically reducing a first horizontal width of a header inscription in all other columns in the data table to a second horizontal width upon selection of a reduce header inscription of all columns option in the first list.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further comprises: positioning a cursor at any place on the at least one column in the first view of the data table; and indicating selection of the column.

19. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein automatically displaying the second view of the data table further comprises: automatically displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type upon selection of at least one header inscription style option in the second list.

20. A computer program product for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, the computer program product having stored computer-readable instructions for implementing a method comprising: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a list including a plurality of header inscription style options; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the list to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

21. A computer program product for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, the computer program product having stored computer-readable instructions for implementing a method comprising: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, upon selection of the at least one column, a first graphical user interface, the first graphical user interface including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the first graphical user interface; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one header inscription reduction option, a second graphical user interface, the second graphical user interface including a plurality of header inscription style options to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

22. A computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for a method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method comprises: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a first list including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the first list; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one header inscription reduction option, a second list including a plurality of header inscription style options; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the second list, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the second list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

23. A computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for a method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method comprises: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a list including a plurality of header inscription style options; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the list to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

24. A computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for a method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method comprises: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; automatically displaying, upon selection of the at least one column, a first graphical user interface, the first graphical user interface including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the first graphical user interface; automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one header inscription reduction option, a second graphical user interface, the second graphical user interface including a plurality of header inscription style options to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column; selecting at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the second graphical user interface, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

25. A computer system for reducing a horizontal width of a column header inscription, the computer system comprising: means for displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; means for selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width in the first view of the data table; means for automatically displaying, in response to the selecting at least one column, a list including a plurality of header inscription style options; means for selecting at least one header inscription style option in the list to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription, wherein said at least one header inscription style option is sufficient to completely define a second horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width upon selection of the at least one header inscription style option in the list, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and means for automatically displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

26. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width further comprises: means for automatically reducing a first horizontal width of a header inscription in all other columns in the data table to a second horizontal width.

27. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width comprises: means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width in multiple lines upon a selection of a multi-line header inscription style option in the list.

28. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width comprises: means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width vertically upon a selection of a vertical header inscription style option in the list.

29. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width comprises: means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table upon a selection of a diagonal header inscription style option in the list.

30. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width comprises: means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width with smaller character size upon a selection of a smaller character size header inscription style option in the list.

31. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width comprises: means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width with narrower character type upon a selection of a narrower character type header inscription style option in the list.

32. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the means for automatically reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width comprises: means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type upon a selection of at least one header inscription style option in the list.

33. The computer system of claim 25, wherein selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further comprises: means for positioning a cursor at any place on the at least one column in the first view of the data table; and means for indicating selection of the column.

34. The computer system of claim 25, further comprising: means for automatically displaying another list including a plurality of header inscription reduction options; and means for selecting at least one header inscription reduction option in the another list.

35. The computer system of claim 34, further comprising: means for automatically reducing a first horizontal width of a header inscription in all other columns in the data table to a second horizontal width upon selection of a reduce header inscription of an all columns option in the another list.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the display of data in data tables, such as spreadsheets, presentation texts, etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to display of the header inscriptions of one or more columns in a data table.

2. Description of Related Art

It is often useful to represent data in the form of a data table. Conventionally, data tables include a plurality of cells arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each of the columns and/or rows typically contain a cell describing the content of the cells of the column and/or row, such as a parameter in a spreadsheet table, a time period, or geographical area in a table of a text or a presentation document.

The cells describing the content of each of the columns of the data table are often arranged in one row located in the first row of the data table, although they can also be located at the last row of the data table or at some other position within each of the columns. The description of the content of each of the columns is termed the header inscription.

A header inscription can take any of a variety of forms, such as alphabetic, numeric, alphanumeric, symbolic, or of some other form representative of the column contents. A header inscription can be of varying length, and is frequently of a different length from that of the contents of the cells within the column. In some instances, the header inscription occupies more horizontal space, e.g., horizontal width, than the contents of the cells within the column. When this occurs, the horizontal width of the header inscription often results in the column occupying a larger horizontal space in the data table than the contents of cells in the column require. If a data table is being viewed in a display area of fixed size, such as on a page or display screen, this results in a less than optimal utilization of the display area.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional data table found in the prior art. As illustrated, the data table 110 may depict sales figures of a product in four different countries over a certain period of time. The rows represent years and the columns the respective countries.

As illustrated, the data table 110 contains rows 112_1 through 112_x, and columns 114_1 through 114_5. Each of the columns 114_1 through 114_5 contain a cell having a header inscription. For example, column 114_5 includes a cell 116 having a header inscription 118. In the present illustration, the contents of header inscription 118, "United Kingdom", utilizes a greater horizontal width 120 than the largest of the contents of the cells in the column 114_5, horizontal width 122.

When data tables containing a large number of columns are to be viewed on a display, it may not be possible for all columns of the data table to be shown simultaneously on the display due to the fixed display size. To view all the columns in the entire data table, it may be necessary for a user to scroll the view of the data table in the horizontal direction. Although horizontal scrolling permits the earlier unviewed columns to be viewed within the display, it does not permit all the columns to be viewed on the display simultaneously, as some of the earlier viewed columns may now be unviewable.

The time and effort associated with scrolling through partial views of a data table is sometimes viewed as undesirable by users. Thus, many users attempt to reduce the horizontal width occupied by individual columns to simultaneously view more columns in the data table. As the width of the largest contents of a column cell is usually determinative of the column width, users attempt to locate ways to reduce the size of the contents of the cells.

One technique currently used to reduce the size of the header inscription contents of a cell is to locate and select the header inscription of a column and modify the text. As one example, a user would position a cursor, or other indicator, on the header inscription to be modified, and then select, such as by highlighting or clicking on the header inscription, the portion of the header inscription to be modified. The user would then relocate the cursor to a tool bar on the display screen and locate a formatting option, such as change font size, rotate text, wrap text, etc., to be applied to the selected header inscription. The user would then select the formatting option. This process can be repeated or other formatting options selected each iteration. In this example, the user must locate and select the desired header inscription to be modified, and then move to a tool bar to select a formatting option.

If a user is currently working in another portion of the data table, e.g., not at the header inscription, the user must leave the area of the data table in which he/she is working, and relocate the cursor to the header inscription to be modified, as well as to any associated tool bar needed to effect the modification. In large data tables, this can be very time consuming and disruptive to a user, as the current project in the data table must be interrupted and the cursor relocated to the header inscription in the data table. In some instances, this may require that the user scroll the data table vertically and/or horizontally to locate the desired header inscription.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principles of the present invention, there are provided methods, products and systems for reducing the horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table.

According to one embodiment, a computer-based method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

In some embodiments, selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further includes positioning a cursor at any place on the at least one column on the first view of the data table, and indicating selection of the column. Additionally, in some embodiments, reducing the first horizontal width further includes reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription in all other columns in the data table. Further, in some embodiments, the method can include selecting at least one header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription. Also, in some embodiments, displaying the second view of the data table further includes displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type.

According to another embodiment, a computer-based method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting a header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

According to another embodiment, a computer-based method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; displaying a first graphical user interface, the first graphical user interface providing at least one option for the selection of the header inscription of the at least one column to be reduced in horizontal width; selecting at least one option on the first graphical user interface; displaying a second graphical user interface, the second graphical user interface providing at least one option for the selection of a header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

The present invention also provides computer program products for reducing the horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table. A computer program product includes a medium configured to store or transport computer-readable instructions or in which computer-readable instructions can be embedded.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table has computer-readable instructions for a method that includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table has computer-readable instructions for a method that includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting a header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table has computer-readable instructions for a method that includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; displaying a first graphical user interface, the first graphical user interface providing at least one option for the selection of the header inscription of the at least one column to be reduced in horizontal width; selecting at least one option on the first graphical user interface; displaying a second graphical user interface, the second graphical user interface providing at least one option for the selection of a header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

The present invention further provides computer systems for reducing the horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table. The computer systems include: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for one or more methods for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method reduces the horizontal width of the header inscription.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system includes: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for a method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system includes: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for a method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting a header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one selected column has the second horizontal width.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system includes: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, and having stored therein computer code for a method for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription of a column in a data table, wherein upon execution of the computer code on the processor, the method includes: displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; displaying a first graphical user interface, the first graphical user interface providing at least one option for the selection of the header inscription of the at least one column to be reduced in horizontal width; selecting at least one option on the first graphical user interface; displaying a second graphical user interface, the second graphical user interface providing at least one option for the selection of a header inscription style to be utilized in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column; reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one selected column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

The present invention also provides various means for implementing the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for reducing a horizontal width of a column header inscription includes: means for displaying a first view of a data table, the data table having at least a plurality of columns, wherein at least one column includes a cell containing a header inscription having a first horizontal width; means for selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width; means for reducing the first horizontal width of the header inscription of the at least one column to a second horizontal width, the second horizontal width being less than the first horizontal width; and means for displaying a second view of the data table, wherein the header inscription of the at least one column has the second horizontal width.

In some embodiments, means for reducing the first horizontal width further includes means for reducing a horizontal width of a header inscription in all other columns in the data table. Additionally, in some embodiments, means for displaying the second view of the data table further includes means for displaying the header inscription having the second horizontal width as at least one of multiple lines, vertically, diagonally at an angle to the horizontal line of the data table, smaller character size, and narrower character type.

Further, in some embodiments, means for selecting at least one column including a header inscription having a first horizontal width further includes means for positioning a cursor over any portion of the at least one column on the first view of the data table; and means for indicating selection of the column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional data table found in the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a process flow chart of a method for reducing the horizontal width of a column header inscription according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow chart of a method for reducing the horizontal width of a column header inscription in which the selection of a single column for reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription reduces the horizontal width of the header inscriptions of all the columns in the data table according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates one example of a first view of a data table in which a column header inscription having a first horizontal width is selected for reduction of the horizontal width utilizing a multiple line header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates one example of a second view of the data table of FIG. 4A in which the column header inscription has a reduced second horizontal width using a multiple line header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates one example of a first view of a data table in which all the column header inscriptions, each having a first horizontal width, are selected for reduction of the horizontal width utilizing a vertical style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates one example of a second view of the data table of FIG. 5A in which all the column header inscriptions each have a reduced second horizontal width using a vertical header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates one example of a first view of a data table in which all the column header inscriptions, each having a first horizontal width, are selected for reduction of the horizontal width utilizing a diagonal style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates one example of a second view of the data table of FIG. 6A in which all the column header inscriptions each have a reduced second horizontal width using a diagonal header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates one example of a first view of a data table in which all the column header inscriptions, each having a first horizontal width, are selected for reduction of the horizontal width utilizing a smaller character size according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates one example of a second view of the data table of FIG. 7A in which all the column header inscriptions each have a reduced second horizontal width using a smaller character size header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates one example of a first view of a data table in which all the column header inscriptions, each having a first horizontal width, are selected for reduction of the horizontal width utilizing a narrower character type header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B illustrates one example of a second view of the data table of FIG. 8A in which all the column header inscriptions each have a reduced second horizontal width using a narrower character type header inscription style according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a process flow chart of a method for reducing the horizontal width of a column header inscription in which the header inscription style utilized in reducing the horizontal width of one or more header inscription(s) is user selectable, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a process flow chart of one embodiment of a method for reducing the horizontal width of column header inscriptions in a data table in which a user selects whether the reduction is applied to the selected column or all columns in the data table and the style of the header inscription used in reducing the horizontal width, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A through 11D illustrate examples of display screen views and graphical user interfaces presented to a user in implementing the method of FIG. 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a computer system in which the present invention can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, products and systems that enable a user to reduce the horizontal width of a column header inscription in a data table by selecting a desired column at any location on the column. In some embodiments, the user can select whether to reduce the horizontal width of the header inscription of a selected column, a group of columns, or all columns in the data table. Further, in some embodiments, the user can select the header inscription style(s) to be used in reducing the horizontal width of the header inscription(s).

As explained more clearly below, the user modifies the header inscription without having to locate and select either the actual header inscription or the cell containing the header inscription. Also, the user does not have to move the cursor from the header inscription or header inscription cell to an associated location on a task bar. Hence, the number of operations required to reduce the horizontal width of a column header inscription compared to the prior art technique have been reduced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process flow chart of a method for reducing the horizontal width of a column header inscription according to one embodiment of the present invention. For ease of description, the display of data tables, graphical user interfaces, cursors and/or other indicators, are discussed in relation to display on a display screen, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), associated with a computer system. However, it can be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the display of these constructs can be on any of a variety of viewing media associated with systems that permit implementation of the various embodiments of the present invention.

According to method 200, in operation 210, a data table is created or loaded into a system including a display to enable the viewing of the data table. While the data table can contain both rows and columns, the presence of rows is not required.

In operation 212, a first view of the data table is displayed on a display screen. The data table includes at least one column having a header inscription with a first horizontal width.

After display of the first view of the data table, in operation 214, a user selects at least one column having a header inscription of a first horizontal width to be reduced. In one example, using an input device, such as