Dynamic thresholds for conditional formats

Abstract

Generally described, embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to utilize dynamic thresholds and dynamic threshold values when generating variable formatting rules to be applied to a range of cells. Dynamic thresholds include, but are not limited to, “Highest Value,” “Middle Value,” “Lowest Value,” “Number,” “Percent,” “Percentile,” and “Formula.” When using a dynamic threshold, dynamic threshold values are determined based on values contained in a selected range of cells.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A computer storage device having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for formatting a range of cells using variable formats, the method comprising:
 defining a data bar variable format to be applied to a range of cells, wherein the data bar variable format includes a threshold point having a threshold type; and   determining a dynamic threshold value as a value for the threshold type.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dynamic threshold value is determined based on values contained in the range of cells. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the dynamic threshold value is further determined based on the threshold type. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the icon variable format evaluates the values contained in the range of cells based on the dynamic threshold value and threshold type and applies a background fill representative of the evaluation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dynamic threshold value may be automatically updated in a response to a change in the range of cells or a change in the values contained in the range of cells. 
     
     
         21 . A system for formatting a range of cells using a variable format, the system comprising:
 at least one processor;   a memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and containing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method, the method comprising:   receiving a selection of a range of cells;   defining an icon variable format to be applied to the range of cells, wherein the icon variable format includes two or more threshold points determined from the content in each cell of the range of the cells in response to an associated threshold type;   determining a dynamic threshold value, wherein the dynamic threshold value is a value for the associated threshold type;   evaluating the content of all the cells in the range of cells to determine a format value for each cell in the range of cells;   comparing the format value for each cell in the range of cells to the determined dynamic threshold value; and   displaying in each cell of the range of cells an icon associated with the dynamic threshold value and based on the comparison between the format value of the cell in which the icon is being displayed and the determined dynamic threshold value, the icon being displayed in each cell of the range of cells and not extending to an adjacent cell.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the dynamic threshold value for each of the two or more threshold points is determined based on values contained in the range of cells. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein each of the two or more dynamic threshold values is further determined based on the threshold type associated with the two or more dynamic threshold values. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the icon variable format evaluates the values contained in the range of cells based on each of the two or more dynamic threshold values and the threshold type associated with the two or more dynamic threshold values and applies an icon representative of the evaluation. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the two or more dynamic threshold values may be automatically updated in a response to a change in the range of cells or a change in the values contained in the range of cells. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the threshold type is one of a percent or a percentile. 
     
     
         27 . A method for formatting a range of cells using a variable format, the method comprising:
 receiving a selection of a range of cells;   defining an icon variable format to be applied to the range of cells, wherein the icon variable format includes two or more threshold points determined from the content in each cell of the range of the cells in response to an associated threshold type;   determining a dynamic threshold value, wherein the dynamic threshold value is a value for the associated threshold type;   evaluating the content of all the cells in the range of cells to determine a format value for each cell in the range of cells;   comparing the format value for each cell in the range of cells to the determined dynamic threshold value; and   displaying in each cell of the range of cells an icon associated with the dynamic threshold value and based on the comparison between the format value of the cell in which the icon is being displayed and the determined dynamic threshold value.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the dynamic threshold value for each of the two or more threshold points is determined based on values contained in the range of cells. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the dynamic threshold value is further determined based on the threshold type associated with the two or more threshold points. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the icon variable format evaluates the values contained in the range of cells based on each of the two or more threshold points and the threshold type associated with the two or more threshold points and applies an icon representative of the evaluation. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein each of the two or more threshold points may be automatically updated in a response to a change in the range of cells or a change in the values contained in the range of cells. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the threshold type is one of a percent or a percentile. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the threshold type is one of a function or a number. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising receiving a selection of a comparison operator for determining the dynamic threshold value. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising receiving a selection of at least one of an icon style, an icon order, and an option to hide the format value for each cell in the range of cells.