Method and Apparatus for Utilizing an Extensible Markup Language Data Structure For Defining a Data-Analysis Parts Container For Use in a Word Processor Application

A computer-implemented method for utilizing a computer-readable extensible markup language data structure comprising structural elements for defining a data-analysis parts container in a data-analysis template comprising a word processor document, the method comprising:

• defining at least one properties element for receiving properties associated with the data-analysis parts container;
• and
• defining at least one data-analysis parts element for receiving data-analysis parts,
• wherein the at least one properties element and the at least one data-analysis parts element define the data-analysis parts container in the data-analysis template comprising a word processor document.

A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions, which when executed on a computer perform a method for utilizing a computer-readable extensible markup language data structure comprising structural elements for defining a data-analysis parts container in a data-analysis template comprising a word processor document, the method comprising:

• defining at least one properties element for receiving properties associated with the data-analysis parts container;
• and
• defining at least one data-analysis parts element for receiving data-analysis parts,
• wherein the at least one properties element and the at least one data-analysis parts element define the data-analysis parts container in the data-analysis template comprising a word processor document.

A programmable object model for accessing the resources of a data-analysis parts container comprising a computer-readable extensible markup language data structure, the model comprising:

• an application programming interface for allowing a user to programmatically access resources defined in the computer-readable extensible markup language data structure defining a data-analysis parts container;
• said application programming interface comprising at lease one message call for requesting association of one or more XML-defined resources to a data-analysis parts container object;
• and
• said application programming interface operative to receive at least one return value from the data-analysis parts container object responsive to association of the one or more XML-defined resources to the data-analysis parts container object.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instruction for performing steps comprising:

• calling a data-analysis parts container via an object-oriented message call;
• accessing an object property or method on the data-analysis parts container, the object property or method being associated with a resource defined in the data-analysis parts container;
• and
• in response to the message call and the object property or method passed to the data-analysis parts container, receiving access to the resource defined in the data-analysis parts container associated with the object property or method passed to the data-analysis parts container.

A computer-readable medium comprising a data-analysis template for use in data analysis in a word processor application, the data-analysis template comprising:

• a serialized word processor document, wherein presentation content and data content may be separated;
• at least one serialized data-analysis parts container;
• and
• at least one program module for communicating at least one data-analysis part between the word processor document and the data-analysis parts container.