Method for reallocating table formats in real-time

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention improve upon existing auto formatting functions for tables presented in a graphical user interface by providing an improved mechanism for changing table columns in real-time. One embodiment of the invention incorporates a callback or module in a program implementing the mechanism for changing table columns in real-time that intercepts a table column resize event and automatically resizes the other columns in the table. In resizing the table columns the module can employ various approaches. For instance, during a resize event the module may calculate the amount of space around each word in each column and readjust the amount of space around the text in order to keep the columns a size that has substantially equivalent white space around each of the respective column entries. Another strategy the module may employ is to adjust the columns to comprise an approximately equivalent width ratio as the table is made wider or narrower. The system may utilize these and other resizing approaches to arrive at a desired result. In addition, columns may be designated as frozen in which case they are not altered while the other columns are altered. Columns may alternatively be set to unfrozen to allow the columns to resize along with other columns using the methods of one or more embodiments of the invention.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.