Copyright: ExcelLens 2.0 Copyright 1999 Advanced Numerical Methods Ltd.
Citation: ExcelLens 2.0 Copyright 1999 Advanced Numerical Methods Ltd.


What is a Contextual Viewer?
Contextual Viewers      ExcelLens is a special in-context viewing tool from Advanced Numerical Methods Ltd. It gives you the ability to scan, edit, and work with large spreadsheets without getting lost in the details, all-the-while reducing eyestrain.      Conventional `Zoom' functions change the magnification of a whole spreadsheet. As you increase the magnification, you see more detail but an ever decreasing fraction of the entire document, something like moving closer and closer to the text until finally you find yourself with your nose on the page! ExcelLens is different:	http://www.numericalmethods.com
     ExcelLens allows you to magnify or highlight parts of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet without losing the context of the information you want to see; much more like holding a magnifying glass over that part of the page that is of immediate interest to you. The rest of the page remains visible around the edges of the magnified area. Unlike a magnifying glass however, no part of your spreadsheet is ever obscured when you turn on the viewer. A smooth transition is made between the `focal region’ and the rest of the page. The result is that you see the detail you need without losing the big-picture. Finally, an alternative to buying a huge monitor!

     Of course ExcelLens gives you all the flexibility you need to work with huge spreadsheets. Once you turn the viewer on you have full control over the magnified region with your mouse. Simply move the cursor and your `magnifying glass' will follow. You can choose the size, magnification, and even the color of the focal region. Additional features include row and column highlighter functions that enable you to magnify and color one or more rows or columns of your spreadsheet; just like a movable highlighting pen with its own built-in magnifying glass! A click of the mouse at any time pauses ExcelLens to let you work with your spreadsheet. Another click and once again you have full control of the viewer. And when you’re done? Simply turn ExcelLens off and the original formatting of your document is restored.

Click here [image] to get started.


Operating the Viewer

Click the magnifying glass button [image] on the ANM toolbar to activate ExcelLens. Place the mouse cursor over the active Excel worksheet and note that the cursor changes to a cross [image] or a magnifying glass [image]. The focal region of the viewer is tied to the mouse cursor and follows the cursor as you move it over the spreadsheet. The cells within the focal region are magnified or highlighted so that you can more easily read their contents. At the same time cells lying outside the focal region become smaller, guaranteeing that your overall view of the spreadsheet does not change. Nothing is pushed beyond the boundaries of your monitor! Try using the arrow keys to move the focal region about one cell at a time. As you become more familiar with ExcelLens you might find it convenient to use the Ctrl-Q keystroke combination as a shortcut to turning the viewer on.

Click the configuration button [image] on the ANM toolbar or use your right mouse-button to click on the Excel spreadsheet to bring up the configuration dialog box.

Click anywhere on the Excel worksheet with your left mouse-button or hit the space bar to pause. The current magnified view remains in effect but you have full control over your spreadsheet and its contents (see CAUTION below). ExcelLens waits patiently in the background until you need it again. Reactivate the viewer simply by clicking the magnifier icon or by using the Ctrl-Q keystroke combination.

Click the off button [image] on the ANM toolbar when the viewer is paused to turn ExcelLens off and return the formatting of your spreadsheet to its initial state. The Ctrl-Shift-Q keystroke combination can be used as a shortcut to turn ExcelLens off when the viewer is in the paused state. Note that clicking the off-button while the viewer is active causes the viewer to pause just as if there was a click anywhere else on the spreadsheet window. The off-button must be clicked a second time to turn the viewer off.

CAUTION: Never change the formatting of your spreadsheet while ExcelLens is paused. ALWAYS turn the viewer OFF before attempting to change the appearance of your spreadsheet.


Row Highlighter
Row Highlighter/Magnifier

Click the row highligher/magnifier button [image] to activate the row-highlighting function provided with ExcelLens. The focal region of the viewer is transformed to include one or more entire spreadsheet rows. You control the placement of the highlighter by moving the mouse or using the `up' and `down' arrow keys. Selecting the configuration button [image] or clicking anywhere on the Excel spreadsheet with the right mouse-button whenever the highlighter is on will bring up the configuration dialog box, allowing you to modify the appearance of the highlighter.


Column Highlighter
Column Highlighter/Magnifier

Click the column highlighter/magnifier button [image] to activate the column-highlighting function provided with ExcelLens. The focal region of the viewer is transformed to include one or more entire spreadsheet columns. You control the placement of the highlighter by moving the mouse or using the `left' and `right' arrow keys. Selecting the configuration button [image] or clicking anywhere on the Excel spreadsheet with the the right mouse-button whenever the highlighter is on will bring up configuration dialog box, allowing you to modify the appearance of the highlighter.


Block Highlighter
Block Highlighter/Magnifier

Click the block highlighter/magnifier button [image] to activate the block-highlighting function provided with ExcelLens. The focal region of the viewer is transformed to include a square block of cells. You control the placement of the highlighter by moving the mouse or using any of the arrow keys. Selecting the configuration button [image] or clicking anywhere on the Excel spreadsheet with the the right mouse-button whenever the highlighter is on will bring up configuration dialog box, allowing you to modify the appearance of the highlighter.


Cross Highlighter
Cross Highlighter/Magnifier

Click the cross highlighter/magnifier button [image] to activate the cross-highlighting function provided with ExcelLens. The focal region of the viewer is transformed to include a square block of cells just as for the block highlighter/magnifier.function, except that all cells in rows or columns passing through the focal region are highlighted. You control the placement of the highlighter by moving the mouse or using any of the arrow keys. Selecting the configuration button [image] or clicking anywhere on the Excel spreadsheet with the the right mouse-button whenever the highlighter is on will bring up configuration dialog box, allowing you to modify the appearance of the highlighter.


Turning the Viewer Off
Off

Click the off button [image] to turn off any of the viewing functions provided with ExcelLens. The appearance of your spreadsheet will be returned to its normal state. Always turn ExcelLens off before attempting to change the formatting of your spreadsheet.


Configuration Dialog Box

Click the configuration button [image] on the ANM toolbar or use the right mouse-button to bring up the configuration dialog box. You can tailor the appearance of the viewer to your needs by changing or selecting the options listed below.

· The Magnification of cells within the focal region · The Width and/or Height of the Magnified Area · The Optimization parameter (increase the viewer-speed or smoothness-of-motion) · The Cursor used while ExcelLens is active · The Font Color used for cell contents within the focal region · The Highlight Color used to fill cell backgrounds within the focal region (click on the Accent option to emphasize the central cell) · The Type of Distortion used within the focal region · The Viewer Mode which sets the shape of the focal region (row, column, or block); click on the Highlight option to highlight all cells in rows and columns which pass through the focal region · The Defaults button which returns ExcelLens to its default configuration
Color selections, distortion type, and viewer mode are illustrated in the Preview box. Click OK to accept the selected configuration or Cancel to reject any changes. Clicking the Off button within the configuration dialog rejects any changes to the configuration and turns ExcelLens off if it was active or paused. The Help button accesses this help service. Note that a number of highlighting functions can be obtained directly from the ANM toolbar by clicking on the row, column, cross,  or block highlighter buttons.


Magnification

The magnification defines the factor by which the size of cells and their contents within the focal region of the viewer are increased. It is set using the configuration dialog. Valid magnifications range from 1 (no magnification) to 10 (maximum magnification).


Width and/or Height

The width and/or height setting defines the size of the focal region. It is set using the configuration dialog. When the viewer is in Row or Column mode it sets the width or height of the focal region to the specified number of cells. In Block mode it sets both the width and the height of the focal region to the specified number of cells. Valid sizes range from 1 to 9. Note that Row, Column, and Block modes are selected by setting the viewer mode.


Speed/Smoothness Optimization

ExcelLens may be configured so as to optimize the motion of the focal region for speed or smoothness. The best setting will depend upon your computer and your personal preference. If you find that the Excel worksheet tends to flicker while the viewer is running, try selecting the smooth motion option. If the focal region tends to lag behind the mouse cursor, try selecting the speed option.


Highlight Color

ExcelLens lets you fill the background color of cells within the focal region, much like using a highlighter pen to emphasize important information. Click on the highlight control to obtain a pull-down menu of color selections. Select the Accent Central Cell option to emphasize the central cell.

Try highlighting a single row or column with a magnification of 1; all of a sudden you have a ruler to help you keep track of what is going on! Use the arrow keys to move one cell at a time, or the mouse to move rapidly from one part of the spreadsheet to another. Increase the magnification if the text is too small to read. Changing the font color is another means of emphasizing important information.


Highlight Full Row/Column Option

Normally background highlighting is restricted to the focal region. In block mode this corresponds to a square block of cells. Selecting the Highlight Full Row/Column Option in block mode causes all cells in rows and columns that pass through the focal region to be highlighted in a cross-like pattern.


Accent Option

A color-accent can be applied to the central cell of the focal region by selecting Accent Central Cell option found on the configuration dialog.


Font Color

ExcelLens lets you set the color used to display the contents of cells within the focal region. Click on the highlight control to obtain a pull-down menu of color selections. An alternative to setting the highlight color, selecting a font color helps you emphasize and keep track of important information by `lighting up' the text you want to see. Try changing the font color of a single row or column with a magnification of 1; all of a sudden you have a ruler to help you keep track of what is going on! Use the arrow keys to move one cell at a time, or the mouse to move rapidly from one part of the spreadsheet to another. Increase the magnification if the text is too small to read.


Type of Distortion

All of the functions provided with ExcelLens are known as distortion viewers.The magnification of cells is changed dynamically to provide you with an enhanced view of cells within the focal region. You can select the type of distortion used to make the transition between the focal region and the rest of the spreadsheet. The step distortion option found on the configuration dialog box causes all cells within the focal region to be magnified by the specified magnification factor. Cells in the remainder of the spreadsheet window are correspondingly compressed. This option is well suited to applications where you want to magnify an entire segment of your spreadsheet. Alternately, selecting the gradual distortion option causes a gradual transition between the foreground and background magnifications to be made. This option emphasizes the manner in which cells in the focal region are related to the rest of the spreadsheet by providing a smooth guide for your eye.


Cursor Style

When ExcelLens is turned on the mouse cursor changes to a magnifying glass [image] or a cross hair [image] any time it is placed over the active worksheet. Choose between these options by selecting the custom (magnifying glass) or system (cross hair) cursor from the configuration dialog box. Note that the usual Excel cursor is displayed while ExcelLens is paused.


Viewer Mode

Three viewer modes are provided with ExcelLens. Each corresponds to a different focal region shape. Choose between:

·	Block mode, in which the focal region comprises a square block of cells centered on the mouse cursor.

·	Row mode, in which the focal region comprises one or more entire spreadsheet rows

·	Column mode, in which the focal region comprises one or more entire spreadsheet columns.

In each case use the Width and/or Height parameter on the Configuration Dialog Box to change the size of the focal region. Note that the block, row, and column highlighter functions on the ANM toolbar are shortcuts to putting ExcelLens into block, row, and column modes with background highlighting. The cross highlighter function which also appears on the ANM toolbar is identical to the block highlighter except that all cells in rows or columns passing through the focal region are highlighted.


Restore Defaults

Select this option on the Configuration Dialog Box to restore all settings to the default configuration.


Page Up

Pressing the Page Up key while ExcelLens is active causes the current view to shift up by one page. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor. No action is taken if row 1 is the topmost row of the current view.


Page Down

Pressing the Page Down key while ExcelLens is active causes the current view to shift down by one page. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor.


Alt-Page Up

Simultaneously pressing the Alt and Page Up keys while ExcelLens is active causes the current view to shift left by one page. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor .No action is taken if column A is the leftmost column of the current view.


Alt-Page Down

Simultaneously pressing the Alt and Page Down keys while ExcelLens is active causes the current view to shift right by one page. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor.


Home

Pressing the Home key while ExcelLens is active causes the cursor to shift left to the first column of the current view. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor.


End

Pressing the End key while ExcelLens is active causes the cursor to shift right to the last column of the current view. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor.


Arrow Keys

Pressing any one of the four arrow keys while ExcelLens is active moves the cursor one cell at a time in the corresponding direction. The focal region of the viewer follows the cursor.


Distortion Viewers

ExcelLens makes use of a technology known as distortion viewing. The extra `space' required to magnify the contents of your spreadsheet within the focal region of the viewer is obtained by compressing the formatting of cells outside the focal region. In other words, the formatting of the spreadsheet is `distorted' to provide more detail in the region that is of primary interest to you. The advantage of doing this rather than just `zooming-in' or only magnifying part of the spreadsheet is that the context of the focal region is retained; you never lose sight of the overall view of the spreadsheet, and no cells are ever obscured. In addition, since ExcelLens is tied to the motion of the mouse cursor you can choose the placement of the focal region with ease.

Two distortion functions are provided with ExcelLens. The step distortion function provides uniform magnification over the focal region with an abrupt transition to the remainder of the spreadsheet. It is well suited to applications where you are interested in looking at a number of adjacent cells. The gradual distortion function uses the specified magnification in the center of the focal region and then makes a gradual transition to the rest of the spreadsheet. The result visually emphasizes the manner in which the cells in the focal region fit into the spreadsheet as a whole.


CAUTION

ExcelLens operates by dynamically changing the formatting of the spreadsheet. Turning the viewer off restores the original formatting of the spreadsheet. Changes made to the appearance of cells while the viewer is paused will be erased when the viewer is turned off. Adding or deleting rows or columns while the viewer is paused can result in undesirable formatting changes to the remainder of the spreadsheet when the viewer is turned off.

ALWAYS turn the viewer OFF before attempting to change the appearance of your spreadsheet.


Focal Region

ExcelLens can enhance the visibility of cells within your spreadsheet by dynamically changing the appearance of all cells within a specified distance of the mouse cursor. This region is known as the focal region of the viewer; it behaves somewhat as if it were a magnifying glass connected to your mouse. You can modify the appearance of cells within the focal region, as well as its size and shape, using the configuration dialog box. In the block viewer mode the focal region consists of a square block (1x1, 3x3, 5x5, etc) of cells. In the row and column viewer modes, the focal region consists of one or more entire rows or columns of the spreadsheet.


space bar;shortcuts;pause;halt;hold state;key;key, space bar
Space Bar

Pressing the Space Bar will cause ExcelLens to pause just as if the left mouse-button had been pressed.


Magnifying Glass

The magnifying glass button [image] appears on the left-hand side of the ANM toolbar. Click it to activate ExcelLens.


Row Highlighter

The row highlighter button [image] appears near the middle of the ANM toolbar. Click it to activate the row highlighter.


Column Highlighter

The column highlighter button [image] appears near the middle of the ANM toolbar. Click it to activate the column highlighter.


Cross Highlighter

The cross highlighter button [image] appears near the middle of the ANM toolbar. Click it to activate the cross highlighter


Block Highlighter

The block highlighter button [image] appears near the middle of the ANM toolbar. Click it to activate the block highlighter


Configuration

The configuration button [image] appears near the right-hand side of the ANM toolbar. Click it to customize ExcelLens to your application.


Off

The off button [image] appears near the left-hand side of the ANM toolbar. Click it to turn ExcelLens off.


Help

The help button [image] appears on the right-hand side of the ANM toolbar. Click it to get help with ExcelLens.


Ctrl-Q

Pressing Ctrl and the letter Q at the same time will activate ExcelLens just as if you had clicked the magnifying glass [image] button.


Ctrl-Shift-Q

Pressing Ctrl, Shift, and the letter Q at the same time will turn ExcelLens off just as if you had clicked the off [image] button. Note that the viewer must be paused before it can be turned off.


Right Mouse-Button

Clicking anywhere on the Microsoft Excel Worksheet with the right mouse-button whenever ExcelLens is active will bring up the configuration dialog just as if you had clicked the configuration [image] button.


Left Mouse-Button

Clicking anywhere on the Microsoft Excel window with the left mouse-button will cause ExcelLens to pause with the current view in effect. If you click on a spreadsheet cell, it will become the active cell. Hitting the space bar will also cause ExcelLens to pause.


Advanced Numerical Methods
ANM

Advanced Numerical Methods Ltd. (ANM) is a Canadian high-tech software company specializing in software for data visualization, numerical modeling, and simulation. You can find out more about us and our other products by accessing our website:        http://www.numericalmethods.com Click here [image] for more help with ExcelLens