Dependency tree-based copying and pasting

An apparatus for dependency tree-based copying and pasting, the apparatus comprising a computer processor, a computer memory operatively coupled to the computer processor, the computer memory having disposed within it computer program instructions that, when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus to carry out:

• receiving, from a client computing system, a request to paste a first workbook element from a first workbook to a second workbook, wherein each workbook element includes a collection of graphical elements;
• determining that the first workbook element of the first workbook is in a first dependency relationship with one or more other workbook elements in the first workbook, including iterating, in response to the request to paste, through a dependency tree for the first workbook element to determine one or more dependency relationships including the first dependency relationship, wherein the dependency tree comprises nodes corresponding to workbook elements, wherein iterating includes traversing from a first node corresponding to the first workbook element toward a root node and identifying workbook elements dependent on the first workbook element for copying and preserving the dependencies;
• copying, in response to the determining, the one or more other workbook elements from the first workbook with the first workbook element to the second workbook, wherein the first dependency relationship is preserved after the copying;
• and
• presenting, on the client computing system, the second workbook comprising the first workbook element and the one or more other workbook elements.

A computer program product for dependency tree-based copying and pasting, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program instructions stored therein that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out:

• receiving, from a client computing system, a request to paste a first workbook element from a first workbook to a second workbook, wherein each workbook element includes a collection of graphical elements;
• determining that the first workbook element of the first workbook is in a first dependency relationship with one or more other workbook elements in the first workbook, including iterating, in response to the request to paste, through a dependency tree for the first workbook element to determine one or more dependency relationships including the first dependency relationship, wherein the dependency tree comprises nodes corresponding to workbook elements, wherein iterating includes traversing from a first node corresponding to the first workbook element toward a root node and identifying workbook elements dependent on the first workbook element for copying and preserving the dependencies;
• copying, in response to the determining, the one or more other workbook elements from the first workbook with the first workbook element to the second workbook, wherein the first dependency relationship is preserved after the copying;
• and
• presenting, on the client computing system, the second workbook comprising the first workbook element and the one or more other workbook elements.