MetricViews: design of multiple spreadsheets into a single dynamic view

Abstract

In this paper, we describe MetricViews, a Java applet in which multiple spreadsheet views are presented in a singular dynamic context. Instead of publishing a large number of discrete spreadsheets and graphs, each of which would show a particular subset of information, we designed an interactive display with which users can construct a wide variety of views into the information space. A structured information tool enables users to construct meaningful views and shift between them without losing context. Our approach is to constrain the choices to a set of interrelated views derived from careful analysis of the information. By carefully designing a hierarchy of information and by displaying continuous transitions between views we intend to provide users with a simple yet very effective way of finding and understanding complex data of problem. Small pieces of code can be downloaded along with a set of data that the code can manipulate and display. We can use a simple interaction model to provide the user with a great deal of power and flexibility. It is our belief that if users are involved in the construction of the information display, they will be able to access and understand the data in a more effective way.