Modifying table definitions within a database application

A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of modifying a table definition of a database table within a database application, the method comprising:

• providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database table;
• receiving a paste command in a database table column and pasting tabular data in the database table to insert multiple new fields in the database table column via the user interface while rendering the database table;
• modifying a schema of the database table to include each new field of inserted multiple new fields and the tabular data;
• and
• interpreting a data type of the tabular data that is pasted in the database table column to insert the multiple new fields, wherein the interpreting a data type of the tabular data comprises:
• examining all of data values in a range comprising the pasted tabular data, wherein a number of records comprising the pasted tabular data is higher than a predetermined threshold;
• determining a data type from among a plurality of data types for each individual data value in the range comprising the pasted tabular data comprises:
• determining whether the pasted tabular data includes a currency;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the currency, determining whether a higher precision or the currency plus numbers are required;
• in response to the higher precision or the currency plus numbers being required, setting the data type as a number;
• in response to the higher precision or the currency plus numbers not being required, determining whether the pasted tabular data includes multiple currencies or a mixed data type;
• in response to the pasted tabular data not including the multiple currencies or the mixed data type, setting the data type as a currency;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the multiple currencies or the mixed data type, determining whether any cell containing the pasted tabular data contains text that exceeds a threshold number of characters;
• in response to the text exceeding the threshold number of characters, setting the data type as a memo;
• in response to the text not exceeding the threshold number of characters, setting the data type as a text;
• determining whether the pasted tabular data includes numbers;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including numbers, setting the data type as a number;
• determining whether the pasted tabular data includes at least one of a date or time;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including at least one of a date or time, setting the data type as at least one of date or time;
• determining whether the pasted tabular data includes a hyperlink;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the hyperlink, setting the data type as a hyperlink;
• determining whether the pasted tabular data includes Boolean values;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the Boolean values, setting the data type as a Boolean;
• and
• applying a broadest of the plurality of data types that can store all of the data values without at least one of loss of data, truncation of data, and loss of precision.

A computer-implemented system for modifying a table definition of a database table within a database application, the system comprising:

• a computer that includes a processor;
• means for providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database table, wherein the user interface illustrated by a computer screen;
• means for receiving a paste command in a database table column and pasting tabular data in the database table to insert multiple new fields in the database table column via the user interface while displaying the database table;
• and
• means for modifying a schema of the database table to include each new field of inserted multiple new fields and the tabular data;
• and
• means for interpreting a data type of the tabular data that is pasted in the database table column to insert the multiple new fields, wherein the interpreting a data type of the tabular data comprises:
• means for examining all of data values in a range comprising the pasted tabular data, wherein a number of records comprising the pasted tabular data is higher than a predetermined threshold;
• means for determining a data type from among a plurality of data types for each individual data value in the range comprising the pasted tabular data comprises:
• means for determining whether the pasted tabular data includes a currency;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the currency, means for determining whether a higher precision or the currency plus numbers are required;
• in response to the higher precision or the currency plus numbers being required, means for setting the data type as a number;
• in response to the higher precision or the currency plus numbers not being required, means for determining whether the pasted tabular data includes multiple currencies or a mixed data type;
• in response to the pasted tabular data not including the multiple currencies or the mixed data type means for setting the data type as a currency;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the multiple currencies or the mixed data type, means for determining whether any cell containing the pasted tabular data contains text that exceeds a threshold number of characters;
• in response to the text exceeding the threshold number of characters, means for setting the data type as a memo;
• in response to the text not exceeding the threshold number of characters, means for setting the data type as a text;
• means for determining whether the pasted tabular data includes numbers;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including numbers, means for setting the data type as a number;
• means for determining whether the pasted tabular data includes at least one of a date or time;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including at least one of a date or time, means for setting the data type as at least one of date or time;
• means for determining whether the pasted tabular data includes a hyperlink;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the hyperlink, means for setting the data type as a hyperlink;
• means for determining whether the pasted tabular data includes Boolean values;
• in response to the pasted tabular data including the Boolean values, means for setting the data type as a Boolean;
• and
• means for applying a broadest of the plurality of data types that can store all of the data values without at least one of loss of data, truncation of data, and loss of precision;
• and
• means for handling one or more objects dependent on the database table unbeknownst to a user of the database table, wherein the handling one or more objects dependent on the database table comprises means for tracking a primary key identifier for a row in which the new field in the database table is created, wherein the primary key identifier comprises an identifier for a hidden column in the database table;
• wherein the means for modifying the schema comprises means for modifying the schema while the objects dependent on the database table remain visible to the user.