| 1 | \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*- |
| 2 | @c %**start of header |
| 3 | @setfilename ../info/ses |
| 4 | @settitle SES: Simple Emacs Spreadsheet |
| 5 | @setchapternewpage off |
| 6 | @syncodeindex fn cp |
| 7 | @syncodeindex vr cp |
| 8 | @syncodeindex ky cp |
| 9 | @c %**end of header |
| 10 | |
| 11 | @copying |
| 12 | This file documents SES: the Simple Emacs Spreadsheet. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Copyright @copyright{} 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| 15 | Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
| 16 | |
| 17 | @quotation |
| 18 | Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document |
| 19 | under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or |
| 20 | any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no |
| 21 | Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU |
| 22 | Manual,'' and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the |
| 23 | license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation |
| 24 | License'' in the Emacs manual. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify |
| 27 | this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free |
| 28 | Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.'' |
| 29 | |
| 30 | This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free |
| 31 | Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document |
| 32 | separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the |
| 33 | license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license. |
| 34 | @end quotation |
| 35 | @end copying |
| 36 | |
| 37 | @dircategory Emacs |
| 38 | @direntry |
| 39 | * SES: (ses). Simple Emacs Spreadsheet |
| 40 | @end direntry |
| 41 | |
| 42 | @finalout |
| 43 | |
| 44 | @titlepage |
| 45 | @title SES |
| 46 | @subtitle Simple Emacs Spreadsheet |
| 47 | @author Jonathan A. Yavner |
| 48 | @author @email{jyavner@@member.fsf.org} |
| 49 | |
| 50 | @page |
| 51 | @vskip 0pt plus 1filll |
| 52 | @insertcopying |
| 53 | @end titlepage |
| 54 | |
| 55 | @contents |
| 56 | |
| 57 | @c =================================================================== |
| 58 | |
| 59 | @ifnottex |
| 60 | @node Top, Sales Pitch, (dir), (dir) |
| 61 | @comment node-name, next, previous, up |
| 62 | @top SES: Simple Emacs Spreadsheet |
| 63 | |
| 64 | @display |
| 65 | SES is a major mode for GNU Emacs to edit spreadsheet files, which |
| 66 | contain a rectangular grid of cells. The cells' values are specified |
| 67 | by formulas that can refer to the values of other cells. |
| 68 | @end display |
| 69 | @end ifnottex |
| 70 | |
| 71 | To report bugs, send email to @email{jyavner@@member.fsf.org}. |
| 72 | |
| 73 | @menu |
| 74 | * Sales Pitch:: Why use SES? |
| 75 | * The Basics:: Basic spreadsheet commands |
| 76 | * Advanced Features:: Want to know more? |
| 77 | * For Gurus:: Want to know @emph{even more}? |
| 78 | * Index:: Concept, Function and Variable Index |
| 79 | * Acknowledgements:: Acknowledgements |
| 80 | * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation. |
| 81 | @end menu |
| 82 | |
| 83 | @c =================================================================== |
| 84 | |
| 85 | @node Sales Pitch, The Basics, Top, Top |
| 86 | @comment node-name, next, previous, up |
| 87 | @chapter Sales Pitch |
| 88 | @cindex features |
| 89 | |
| 90 | @itemize @bullet |
| 91 | @item Create and edit simple spreadsheets with a minimum of fuss. |
| 92 | @item Full undo/redo/autosave. |
| 93 | @item Immune to viruses in spreadsheet files. |
| 94 | @item Cell formulas are straight Emacs Lisp. |
| 95 | @item Printer functions for control of cell appearance. |
| 96 | @item Intuitive keystroke commands: C-o = insert row, M-o = insert column, etc. |
| 97 | @item ``Spillover'' of lengthy cell values into following blank cells. |
| 98 | @item Header line shows column letters or a selected row. |
| 99 | @item Completing-read for entering symbols as cell values. |
| 100 | @item Cut, copy, and paste can transfer formulas and printer functions. |
| 101 | @item Import and export of tab-separated values or tab-separated formulas. |
| 102 | @item Plaintext, easily-hacked file format. |
| 103 | @end itemize |
| 104 | |
| 105 | @c =================================================================== |
| 106 | |
| 107 | @node The Basics, Advanced Features, Sales Pitch, Top |
| 108 | @comment node-name, next, previous, up |
| 109 | @chapter The Basics |
| 110 | @cindex basic commands |
| 111 | @findex ses-jump |
| 112 | @findex ses-mark-row |
| 113 | @findex ses-mark-column |
| 114 | @findex ses-mark-whole-buffer |
| 115 | @findex set-mark-command |
| 116 | @findex keyboard-quit |
| 117 | |
| 118 | A @dfn{cell identifier} is a symbol with a column letter and a row |
| 119 | number. Cell B7 is the 2nd column of the 7th row. For very wide |
| 120 | spreadsheets, there are two column letters: cell AB7 is the 28th |
| 121 | column of the 7th row. |
| 122 | |
| 123 | @table @kbd |
| 124 | @item j |
| 125 | Moves point to cell, specified by identifier (@code{ses-jump}). |
| 126 | @end table |
| 127 | |
| 128 | Point is always at the left edge of a cell, or at the empty endline. |
| 129 | When mark is inactive, the current cell is underlined. When mark is |
| 130 | active, the range is the highlighted rectangle of cells (SES always |
| 131 | uses transient mark mode). Drag the mouse from A1 to A3 to create the |
| 132 | range A1-A2. Many SES commands operate only on single cells, not |
| 133 | ranges. |
| 134 | |
| 135 | @table @kbd |
| 136 | @item C-SPC |
| 137 | @itemx C-@@ |
| 138 | Set mark at point (@code{set-mark-command}). |
| 139 | |
| 140 | @item C-g |
| 141 | Turn off the mark (@code{keyboard-quit}). |
| 142 | |
| 143 | @item M-h |
| 144 | Highlight current row (@code{ses-mark-row}). |
| 145 | |
| 146 | @item S-M-h |
| 147 | Highlight current column (@code{ses-mark-column}). |
| 148 | |
| 149 | @item C-x h |
| 150 | Highlight all cells (@code{mark-whole-buffer}). |
| 151 | @end table |
| 152 | |
| 153 | @menu |
| 154 | * Formulas:: |
| 155 | * Resizing:: |
| 156 | * Printer functions:: |
| 157 | * Clearing cells:: |
| 158 | * Copy/cut/paste:: |
| 159 | * Customizing SES:: |
| 160 | @end menu |
| 161 | |
| 162 | @node Formulas, Resizing, The Basics, The Basics |
| 163 | @section Cell formulas |
| 164 | @cindex formulas |
| 165 | @cindex formulas, entering |
| 166 | @findex ses-read-cell |
| 167 | @findex ses-read-symbol |
| 168 | @findex ses-edit-cell |
| 169 | @findex ses-recalculate-cell |
| 170 | @findex ses-recalculate-all |
| 171 | |
| 172 | To enter a number into the current cell, just start typing: |
| 173 | |
| 174 | @table @kbd |
| 175 | @item 0..9 |
| 176 | Self-insert a digit (@code{ses-read-cell}). |
| 177 | |
| 178 | @item - |
| 179 | Self-insert a negative number (@code{ses-read-cell}). |
| 180 | |
| 181 | @item . |
| 182 | Self-insert a fractional number (@code{ses-read-cell}). |
| 183 | |
| 184 | @item " |
| 185 | Self-insert a quoted string. The ending double-quote |
| 186 | is inserted for you (@code{ses-read-cell}). |
| 187 | |
| 188 | @item ( |
| 189 | Self-insert an expression. The right-parenthesis is inserted for you |
| 190 | (@code{ses-read-cell}). To access another cell's value, just use its |
| 191 | identifier in your expression. Whenever the other cell is changed, |
| 192 | this cell's formula will be reevaluated. While typing in the |
| 193 | expression, you can use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to complete symbol names. |
| 194 | |
| 195 | @item ' @r{(apostrophe)} |
| 196 | Enter a symbol (ses-read-symbol). SES remembers all symbols that have |
| 197 | been used as formulas, so you can type just the beginning of a symbol |
| 198 | and use @kbd{@key{SPC}}, @kbd{@key{TAB}}, and @kbd{?} to complete it. |
| 199 | @end table |
| 200 | |
| 201 | To enter something else (e.g., a vector), begin with a digit, then |
| 202 | erase the digit and type whatever you want. |
| 203 | |
| 204 | @table @kbd |
| 205 | @item RET |
| 206 | Edit the existing formula in the current cell (@code{ses-edit-cell}). |
| 207 | |
| 208 | @item C-c C-c |
| 209 | Force recalculation of the current cell or range (@code{ses-recalculate-cell}). |
| 210 | |
| 211 | @item C-c C-l |
| 212 | Recalculate the entire spreadsheet (@code{ses-recalculate-all}). |
| 213 | @end table |
| 214 | |
| 215 | @node Resizing, Printer functions, Formulas, The Basics |
| 216 | @section Resizing the spreadsheet |
| 217 | @cindex resizing spreadsheets |
| 218 | @findex ses-insert-row |
| 219 | @findex ses-insert-column |
| 220 | @findex ses-delete-row |
| 221 | @findex ses-delete-column |
| 222 | @findex ses-set-column-width |
| 223 | @findex ses-forward-or-insert |
| 224 | @findex ses-append-row-jump-first-column |
| 225 | |
| 226 | |
| 227 | Basic commands: |
| 228 | |
| 229 | @table @kbd |
| 230 | @item C-o |
| 231 | (@code{ses-insert-row}) |
| 232 | |
| 233 | @item M-o |
| 234 | (@code{ses-insert-column}) |
| 235 | |
| 236 | @item C-k |
| 237 | (@code{ses-delete-row}) |
| 238 | |
| 239 | @item M-k |
| 240 | (@code{ses-delete-column}) |
| 241 | |
| 242 | @item w |
| 243 | (@code{ses-set-column-width}) |
| 244 | |
| 245 | @item TAB |
| 246 | Moves point to the next rightward cell, or inserts a new column if |
| 247 | already at last cell on line, or inserts a new row if at endline |
| 248 | (@code{ses-forward-or-insert}). |
| 249 | |
| 250 | @item C-j |
| 251 | Linefeed inserts below the current row and moves to column A |
| 252 | (@code{ses-append-row-jump-first-column}). |
| 253 | @end table |
| 254 | |
| 255 | Resizing the spreadsheet (unless you're just changing a column width) |
| 256 | relocates all the cell-references in formulas so they still refer to |
| 257 | the same cells. If a formula mentioned B1 and you insert a new first |
| 258 | row, the formula will now mention B2. |
| 259 | |
| 260 | If you delete a cell that a formula refers to, the cell-symbol is |
| 261 | deleted from the formula, so @code{(+ A1 B1 C1)} after deleting the third |
| 262 | column becomes @code{(+ A1 B1)}. In case this is not what you wanted: |
| 263 | |
| 264 | @table @kbd |
| 265 | @item C-_ |
| 266 | @itemx C-x u |
| 267 | Undo previous action (@code{(undo)}). |
| 268 | @end table |
| 269 | |
| 270 | |
| 271 | @node Printer functions, Clearing cells, Resizing, The Basics |
| 272 | @section Printer functions |
| 273 | @cindex printer functions |
| 274 | @findex ses-read-cell-printer |
| 275 | @findex ses-read-column-printer |
| 276 | @findex ses-read-default-printer |
| 277 | @findex ses-center |
| 278 | @findex ses-center-span |
| 279 | @findex ses-dashfill |
| 280 | @findex ses-dashfill-span |
| 281 | @findex ses-tildefill-span |
| 282 | |
| 283 | |
| 284 | Printer functions convert binary cell values into the print forms that |
| 285 | Emacs will display on the screen. |
| 286 | |
| 287 | A printer can be a format string, like @samp{"$%.2f"}. The result |
| 288 | string is right-aligned within the print cell. To get left-alignment, |
| 289 | use parentheses: @samp{("$%.2f")}. A printer can also be a |
| 290 | one-argument function (a symbol or a lambda), whose result is a string |
| 291 | (right-aligned) or list of one string (left-aligned). While typing in |
| 292 | a lambda, you can use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to complete the names of symbols. |
| 293 | |
| 294 | Each cell has a printer. If @code{nil}, the column-printer for the cell's |
| 295 | column is used. If that is also @code{nil}, the default-printer for the |
| 296 | spreadsheet is used. |
| 297 | |
| 298 | @table @kbd |
| 299 | @item p |
| 300 | Enter a printer for current cell or range (@code{ses-read-cell-printer}). |
| 301 | |
| 302 | @item M-p |
| 303 | Enter a printer for the current column (@code{ses-read-column-printer}). |
| 304 | |
| 305 | @item C-c C-p |
| 306 | Enter the default printer for the spreadsheet |
| 307 | (@code{ses-read-default-printer}). |
| 308 | @end table |
| 309 | |
| 310 | The @code{ses-read-@r{XXX}-printer} commands have their own minibuffer |
| 311 | history, which is preloaded with the set of all printers used in this |
| 312 | spreadsheet, plus the standard printers. |
| 313 | |
| 314 | The standard printers are suitable only for cells, not columns or |
| 315 | default, because they format the value using the column-printer (or |
| 316 | default-printer if @code{nil}) and then center the result: |
| 317 | |
| 318 | @table @code |
| 319 | @item ses-center |
| 320 | Just centering. |
| 321 | |
| 322 | @item ses-center-span |
| 323 | Centering with spill-over to following blank cells. |
| 324 | |
| 325 | @item ses-dashfill |
| 326 | Centering using dashes (-) instead of spaces. |
| 327 | |
| 328 | @item ses-dashfill-span |
| 329 | Centering with dashes and spill-over. |
| 330 | |
| 331 | @item ses-tildefill-span |
| 332 | Centering with tildes (~) and spill-over. |
| 333 | @end table |
| 334 | |
| 335 | |
| 336 | @node Clearing cells, Copy/cut/paste, Printer functions, The Basics |
| 337 | @section Clearing cells |
| 338 | @cindex clearing commands |
| 339 | @findex ses-clear-cell-backward |
| 340 | @findex ses-clear-cell-forward |
| 341 | |
| 342 | These commands set both formula and printer to @code{nil}: |
| 343 | |
| 344 | @table @kbd |
| 345 | @item DEL |
| 346 | Clear cell and move left (@code{ses-clear-cell-backward}). |
| 347 | |
| 348 | @item C-d |
| 349 | Clear cell and move right (@code{ses-clear-cell-forward}). |
| 350 | @end table |
| 351 | |
| 352 | |
| 353 | @node Copy/cut/paste, Customizing SES, Clearing cells, The Basics |
| 354 | @section Copy, cut, and paste |
| 355 | @cindex copy |
| 356 | @cindex cut |
| 357 | @cindex paste |
| 358 | @findex kill-ring-save |
| 359 | @findex mouse-set-region |
| 360 | @findex mouse-set-secondary |
| 361 | @findex ses-kill-override |
| 362 | @findex yank |
| 363 | @findex clipboard-yank |
| 364 | @findex mouse-yank-at-click |
| 365 | @findex mouse-yank-at-secondary |
| 366 | @findex ses-yank-pop |
| 367 | |
| 368 | The copy functions work on rectangular regions of cells. You can paste the |
| 369 | copies into non-SES buffers to export the print text. |
| 370 | |
| 371 | @table @kbd |
| 372 | @item M-w |
| 373 | @itemx [copy] |
| 374 | @itemx [C-insert] |
| 375 | Copy the highlighted cells to kill ring and primary clipboard |
| 376 | (@code{kill-ring-save}). |
| 377 | |
| 378 | @item [drag-mouse-1] |
| 379 | Mark a region and copy it to kill ring and primary clipboard |
| 380 | (@code{mouse-set-region}). |
| 381 | |
| 382 | @item [M-drag-mouse-1] |
| 383 | Mark a region and copy it to kill ring and secondary clipboard |
| 384 | (@code{mouse-set-secondary}). |
| 385 | |
| 386 | @item C-w |
| 387 | @itemx [cut] |
| 388 | @itemx [S-delete] |
| 389 | The cut functions do not actually delete rows or columns---they copy |
| 390 | and then clear (@code{ses-kill-override}). |
| 391 | |
| 392 | @item C-y |
| 393 | @itemx [S-insert] |
| 394 | Paste from kill ring (@code{yank}). The paste functions behave |
| 395 | differently depending on the format of the text being inserted: |
| 396 | @itemize @bullet |
| 397 | @item |
| 398 | When pasting cells that were cut from a SES buffer, the print text is |
| 399 | ignored and only the attached formula and printer are inserted; cell |
| 400 | references in the formula are relocated unless you use @kbd{C-u}. |
| 401 | @item |
| 402 | The pasted text overwrites a rectangle of cells whose top left corner |
| 403 | is the current cell. If part of the rectangle is beyond the edges of |
| 404 | the spreadsheet, you must confirm the increase in spreadsheet size. |
| 405 | @item |
| 406 | Non-SES text is usually inserted as a replacement formula for the |
| 407 | current cell. If the formula would be a symbol, it's treated as a |
| 408 | string unless you use @kbd{C-u}. Pasted formulas with syntax errors |
| 409 | are always treated as strings. |
| 410 | @end itemize |
| 411 | |
| 412 | @item [paste] |
| 413 | Paste from primary clipboard or kill ring (@code{clipboard-yank}). |
| 414 | |
| 415 | @item [mouse-2] |
| 416 | Set point and paste from primary clipboard (@code{mouse-yank-at-click}). |
| 417 | |
| 418 | @item [M-mouse-2] |
| 419 | Set point and paste from secondary clipboard (@code{mouse-yank-secondary}). |
| 420 | |
| 421 | @item M-y |
| 422 | Immediately after a paste, you can replace the text with a preceding |
| 423 | element from the kill ring (@code{ses-yank-pop}). Unlike the standard |
| 424 | Emacs yank-pop, the SES version uses @code{undo} to delete the old |
| 425 | yank. This doesn't make any difference? |
| 426 | @end table |
| 427 | |
| 428 | @node Customizing SES, , Copy/cut/paste, The Basics |
| 429 | @section Customizing SES |
| 430 | @cindex customizing |
| 431 | @vindex enable-local-eval |
| 432 | @vindex ses-mode-hook |
| 433 | @vindex safe-functions |
| 434 | @vindex enable-local-eval |
| 435 | |
| 436 | |
| 437 | By default, a newly-created spreadsheet has 1 row and 1 column. The |
| 438 | column width is 7 and the default printer is @samp{"%.7g"}. Each of these |
| 439 | can be customized. Look in group ``ses''. |
| 440 | |
| 441 | After entering a cell value, point normally moves right to the next |
| 442 | cell. You can customize @code{ses-after-entry-functions} to move left or |
| 443 | up or down. For diagonal movement, select two functions from the |
| 444 | list. |
| 445 | |
| 446 | @code{ses-mode-hook} is a normal mode hook (list of functions to |
| 447 | execute when starting SES mode for a buffer). |
| 448 | |
| 449 | The variable @code{safe-functions} is a list of possibly-unsafe |
| 450 | functions to be treated as safe when analysing formulas and printers. |
| 451 | @xref{Virus protection}. Before customizing @code{safe-functions}, |
| 452 | think about how much you trust the person who's suggesting this |
| 453 | change. The value @code{t} turns off all anti-virus protection. A |
| 454 | list-of-functions value might enable a ``gee whiz'' spreadsheet, but it |
| 455 | also creates trapdoors in your anti-virus armor. In order for virus |
| 456 | protection to work, you must always press @kbd{n} when presented with |
| 457 | a virus warning, unless you understand what the questionable code is |
| 458 | trying to do. Do not listen to those who tell you to customize |
| 459 | @code{enable-local-eval}---this variable is for people who don't wear |
| 460 | safety belts! |
| 461 | |
| 462 | |
| 463 | @c =================================================================== |
| 464 | |
| 465 | @node Advanced Features, For Gurus, The Basics, Top |
| 466 | @chapter Advanced Features |
| 467 | @cindex advanced features |
| 468 | @findex ses-read-header-row |
| 469 | |
| 470 | |
| 471 | @table @kbd |
| 472 | @item C-c M-C-h |
| 473 | (@code{ses-set-header-row}). The header line at the top of the SES |
| 474 | window normally shows the column letter for each column. You can set |
| 475 | it to show a copy of some row, such as a row of column titles, so that |
| 476 | row will always be visible. Default is to set the current row as the |
| 477 | header; use C-u to prompt for header row. Set the header to row 0 to |
| 478 | show column letters again. |
| 479 | @item [header-line mouse-3] |
| 480 | Pops up a menu to set the current row as the header, or revert to |
| 481 | column letters. |
| 482 | @end table |
| 483 | |
| 484 | @menu |
| 485 | * The print area:: |
| 486 | * Ranges in formulas:: |
| 487 | * Sorting by column:: |
| 488 | * Standard formula functions:: |
| 489 | * More on cell printing:: |
| 490 | * Import and export:: |
| 491 | * Virus protection:: |
| 492 | * Spreadsheets with details and summary:: |
| 493 | @end menu |
| 494 | |
| 495 | @node The print area, Ranges in formulas, Advanced Features, Advanced Features |
| 496 | @section The print area |
| 497 | @cindex print area |
| 498 | @findex widen |
| 499 | @findex ses-renarrow-buffer |
| 500 | @findex ses-reprint-all |
| 501 | |
| 502 | A SES file consists of a print area and a data area. Normally the |
| 503 | buffer is narrowed to show only the print area. The print area is |
| 504 | read-only except for special SES commands; it contains cell values |
| 505 | formatted by printer functions. The data area records the formula and |
| 506 | printer functions, etc. |
| 507 | |
| 508 | @table @kbd |
| 509 | @item C-x n w |
| 510 | Show print and data areas (@code{widen}). |
| 511 | |
| 512 | @item C-c C-n |
| 513 | Show only print area (@code{ses-renarrow-buffer}). |
| 514 | |
| 515 | @item S-C-l |
| 516 | @itemx M-C-l |
| 517 | Recreate print area by reevaluating printer functions for all cells |
| 518 | (@code{ses-reprint-all}). |
| 519 | @end table |
| 520 | |
| 521 | @node Ranges in formulas, Sorting by column, The print area, Advanced Features |
| 522 | @section Ranges in formulas |
| 523 | @cindex ranges |
| 524 | @findex ses-insert-range-click |
| 525 | @findex ses-insert-range |
| 526 | @findex ses-insert-ses-range-click |
| 527 | @findex ses-insert-ses-range |
| 528 | @vindex from |
| 529 | @vindex to |
| 530 | |
| 531 | A formula like |
| 532 | @lisp |
| 533 | (+ A1 A2 A3) |
| 534 | @end lisp |
| 535 | is the sum of three specific cells. If you insert a new second row, |
| 536 | the formula becomes |
| 537 | @lisp |
| 538 | (+ A1 A3 A4) |
| 539 | @end lisp |
| 540 | and the new row is not included in the sum. |
| 541 | |
| 542 | The macro @code{(ses-range @var{from} @var{to})} evaluates to a list of |
| 543 | the values in a rectangle of cells. If your formula is |
| 544 | @lisp |
| 545 | (apply '+ (ses-range A1 A3)) |
| 546 | @end lisp |
| 547 | and you insert a new second row, it becomes |
| 548 | @lisp |
| 549 | (apply '+ (ses-range A1 A4)) |
| 550 | @end lisp |
| 551 | and the new row is included in the sum. |
| 552 | |
| 553 | While entering or editing a formula in the minibuffer, you can select |
| 554 | a range in the spreadsheet (using mouse or keyboard), then paste a |
| 555 | representation of that range into your formula. Suppose you select |
| 556 | A1-C1: |
| 557 | |
| 558 | @table @kbd |
| 559 | @item [S-mouse-3] |
| 560 | Inserts "A1 B1 C1" @code{(ses-insert-range-click}) |
| 561 | |
| 562 | @item C-c C-r |
| 563 | Keyboard version (@code{ses-insert-range}). |
| 564 | |
| 565 | @item [C-S-mouse-3] |
| 566 | Inserts "(ses-range A1 C1)" (@code{ses-insert-ses-range-click}). |
| 567 | |
| 568 | @item C-c C-s |
| 569 | Keyboard version (@code{ses-insert-ses-range}). |
| 570 | @end table |
| 571 | |
| 572 | If you delete the @var{from} or @var{to} cell for a range, the nearest |
| 573 | still-existing cell is used instead. If you delete the entire range, |
| 574 | the formula relocator will delete the ses-range from the formula. |
| 575 | |
| 576 | If you insert a new row just beyond the end of a one-column range, or |
| 577 | a new column just beyond a one-row range, the new cell is included in |
| 578 | the range. New cells inserted just before a range are not included. |
| 579 | |
| 580 | |
| 581 | @node Sorting by column, Standard formula functions, Ranges in formulas, Advanced Features |
| 582 | @section Sorting by column |
| 583 | @cindex sorting |
| 584 | @findex ses-sort-column |
| 585 | @findex ses-sort-column-click |
| 586 | |
| 587 | @table @kbd |
| 588 | @item C-c M-C-s |
| 589 | Sort the cells of a range using one of the columns |
| 590 | (@code{ses-sort-column}). The rows (or partial rows if the range |
| 591 | doesn't include all columns) are rearranged so the chosen column will |
| 592 | be in order. |
| 593 | |
| 594 | @item [header-line mouse-2] |
| 595 | The easiest way to sort is to click mouse-2 on the chosen column's header row |
| 596 | (@code{ses-sort-column-click}). |
| 597 | @end table |
| 598 | |
| 599 | The sort comparison uses @code{string<}, which works well for |
| 600 | right-justified numbers and left-justified strings. |
| 601 | |
| 602 | With prefix arg, sort is in descending order. |
| 603 | |
| 604 | Rows are moved one at a time, with relocation of formulas. This works |
| 605 | well if formulas refer to other cells in their row, not so well for |
| 606 | formulas that refer to other rows in the range or to cells outside the |
| 607 | range. |
| 608 | |
| 609 | |
| 610 | @node Standard formula functions, More on cell printing, Sorting by column, Advanced Features |
| 611 | @section Standard formula functions |
| 612 | @cindex standard formula functions |
| 613 | @cindex *skip* |
| 614 | @cindex *error* |
| 615 | @findex ses-delete-blanks |
| 616 | @findex ses-average |
| 617 | @findex ses+ |
| 618 | |
| 619 | Oftentimes you want a calculation to exclude the blank cells. Here |
| 620 | are some useful functions to call from your formulas: |
| 621 | |
| 622 | @table @code |
| 623 | @item (ses-delete-blanks &rest @var{args}) |
| 624 | Returns a list from which all blank cells (value is either @code{nil} or |
| 625 | '*skip*) have been deleted. |
| 626 | |
| 627 | @item (ses+ &rest @var{args}) |
| 628 | Sum of non-blank arguments. |
| 629 | |
| 630 | @item (ses-average @var{list}) |
| 631 | Average of non-blank elements in @var{list}. Here the list is passed |
| 632 | as a single argument, since you'll probably use it with @code{ses-range}. |
| 633 | @end table |
| 634 | |
| 635 | @node More on cell printing, Import and export, Standard formula functions, Advanced Features |
| 636 | @section More on cell printing |
| 637 | @cindex cell printing, more |
| 638 | @findex ses-truncate-cell |
| 639 | @findex ses-recalculate-cell |
| 640 | |
| 641 | Special cell values: |
| 642 | @itemize |
| 643 | @item nil prints the same as "", but allows previous cell to spill over. |
| 644 | @item '*skip* replaces nil when the previous cell actually does spill over; |
| 645 | nothing is printed for it. |
| 646 | @item '*error* indicates that the formula signaled an error instead of |
| 647 | producing a value: the print cell is filled with hash marks (#). |
| 648 | @end itemize |
| 649 | |
| 650 | If the result from the printer function is too wide for the cell and |
| 651 | the following cell is @code{nil}, the result will spill over into the |
| 652 | following cell. Very wide results can spill over several cells. If |
| 653 | the result is too wide for the available space (up to the end of the |
| 654 | row or the next non-@code{nil} cell), the result is truncated if the cell's |
| 655 | value is a string, or replaced with hash marks otherwise. |
| 656 | |
| 657 | SES could get confused by printer results that contain newlines or |
| 658 | tabs, so these are replaced with question marks. |
| 659 | |
| 660 | @table @kbd |
| 661 | @item C-c C-t |
| 662 | Confine a cell to its own column (@code{ses-truncate-cell}). This |
| 663 | allows you to move point to a rightward cell that would otherwise be |
| 664 | covered by a spill-over. If you don't change the rightward cell, the |
| 665 | confined cell will spill over again the next time it is reprinted. |
| 666 | |
| 667 | @item C-c C-c |
| 668 | When applied to a single cell, this command displays in the echo area any |
| 669 | formula error or printer error that occurred during |
| 670 | recalculation/reprinting (@code{ses-recalculate-cell}). |
| 671 | @end table |
| 672 | |
| 673 | When a printer function signals an error, the default printer |
| 674 | @samp{"%s"} is substituted. This is useful when your column printer |
| 675 | is numeric-only and you use a string as a cell value. |
| 676 | |
| 677 | |
| 678 | @node Import and export, Virus protection, More on cell printing, Advanced Features |
| 679 | @section Import and export |
| 680 | @cindex import and export |
| 681 | @cindex export, and import |
| 682 | @findex ses-export-tsv |
| 683 | @findex ses-export-tsf |
| 684 | |
| 685 | @table @kbd |
| 686 | @item x t |
| 687 | Export a range of cells as tab-separated values (@code{ses-export-tsv}). |
| 688 | @item x T |
| 689 | Export a range of cells as tab-separated formulas (@code{ses-export-tsf}). |
| 690 | @end table |
| 691 | |
| 692 | The exported text goes to the kill ring --- you can paste it into |
| 693 | another buffer. Columns are separated by tabs, rows by newlines. |
| 694 | |
| 695 | To import text, use any of the yank commands where the text to paste |
| 696 | contains tabs and/or newlines. Imported formulas are not relocated. |
| 697 | |
| 698 | @node Virus protection, Spreadsheets with details and summary, Import and export, Advanced Features |
| 699 | @section Virus protection |
| 700 | @cindex virus protection |
| 701 | |
| 702 | Whenever a formula or printer is read from a file or is pasted into |
| 703 | the spreadsheet, it receives a ``needs safety check'' marking. Later, |
| 704 | when the formula or printer is evaluated for the first time, it is |
| 705 | checked for safety using the @code{unsafep} predicate; if found to be |
| 706 | ``possibly unsafe'', the questionable formula or printer is displayed |
| 707 | and you must press Y to approve it or N to use a substitute. The |
| 708 | substitute always signals an error. |
| 709 | |
| 710 | Formulas or printers that you type in are checked immediately for |
| 711 | safety. If found to be possibly unsafe and you press N to disapprove, |
| 712 | the action is canceled and the old formula or printer will remain. |
| 713 | |
| 714 | Besides viruses (which try to copy themselves to other files), |
| 715 | @code{unsafep} can also detect all other kinds of Trojan horses, such as |
| 716 | spreadsheets that delete files, send email, flood Web sites, alter |
| 717 | your Emacs settings, etc. |
| 718 | |
| 719 | Generally, spreadsheet formulas and printers are simple things that |
| 720 | don't need to do any fancy computing, so all potentially-dangerous |
| 721 | parts of the Emacs Lisp environment can be excluded without cramping |
| 722 | your style as a formula-writer. See the documentation in @file{unsafep.el} |
| 723 | for more info on how Lisp forms are classified as safe or unsafe. |
| 724 | |
| 725 | @node Spreadsheets with details and summary, , Virus protection, Advanced Features |
| 726 | @section Spreadsheets with details and summary |
| 727 | @cindex details and summary |
| 728 | @cindex summary, and details |
| 729 | |
| 730 | A common organization for spreadsheets is to have a bunch of ``detail'' |
| 731 | rows, each perhaps describing a transaction, and then a set of |
| 732 | ``summary'' rows that each show reduced data for some subset of the |
| 733 | details. SES supports this organization via the @code{ses-select} |
| 734 | function. |
| 735 | |
| 736 | @table @code |
| 737 | @item (ses-select @var{fromrange} @var{test} @var{torange}) |
| 738 | Returns a subset of @var{torange}. For each member in @var{fromrange} |
| 739 | that is equal to @var{test}, the corresponding member of @var{torange} |
| 740 | is included in the result. |
| 741 | @end table |
| 742 | |
| 743 | Example of use: |
| 744 | @lisp |
| 745 | (ses-average (ses-select (ses-range A1 A5) 'Smith (ses-range B1 B5))) |
| 746 | @end lisp |
| 747 | This computes the average of the B column values for those rows whose |
| 748 | A column value is the symbol 'Smith. |
| 749 | |
| 750 | Arguably one could specify only @var{fromrange} plus |
| 751 | @var{to-row-offset} and @var{to-column-offset}. The @var{torange} is |
| 752 | stated explicitly to ensure that the formula will be recalculated if |
| 753 | any cell in either range is changed. |
| 754 | |
| 755 | File @file{etc/ses-example.el} in the Emacs distribution is an example of a |
| 756 | details-and-summary spreadsheet. |
| 757 | |
| 758 | |
| 759 | @c =================================================================== |
| 760 | |
| 761 | @node For Gurus, Index, Advanced Features, Top |
| 762 | @chapter For Gurus |
| 763 | @cindex advanced features |
| 764 | |
| 765 | @menu |
| 766 | * Deferred updates:: |
| 767 | * Nonrelocatable references:: |
| 768 | * The data area:: |
| 769 | * Buffer-local variables in spreadsheets:: |
| 770 | * Uses of defadvice in SES:: |
| 771 | @end menu |
| 772 | |
| 773 | @node Deferred updates, Nonrelocatable references, For Gurus, For Gurus |
| 774 | @section Deferred updates |
| 775 | @cindex deferred updates |
| 776 | @cindex updates, deferred |
| 777 | @vindex run-with-idle-timer |
| 778 | |
| 779 | To save time by avoiding redundant computations, cells that need |
| 780 | recalculation due to changes in other cells are added to a set. At |
| 781 | the end of the command, each cell in the set is recalculated once. |
| 782 | This can create a new set of cells that need recalculation. The |
| 783 | process is repeated until either the set is empty or it stops changing |
| 784 | (due to circular references among the cells). In extreme cases, you |
| 785 | might see progress messages of the form ``Recalculating... (@var{nnn} |
| 786 | cells left)''. If you interrupt the calculation using @kbd{C-g}, the |
| 787 | spreadsheet will be left in an inconsistent state, so use @kbd{C-_} or |
| 788 | @kbd{C-c C-l} to fix it. |
| 789 | |
| 790 | To save even more time by avoiding redundant writes, cells that have |
| 791 | changes are added to a set instead of being written immediately to the |
| 792 | data area. Each cell in the set is written once, at the end of the |
| 793 | command. If you change vast quantities of cells, you might see a |
| 794 | progress message of the form ``Writing... (@var{nnn} cells left)''. |
| 795 | These deferred cell-writes cannot be interrupted by @kbd{C-g}, so |
| 796 | you'll just have to wait. |
| 797 | |
| 798 | SES uses @code{run-with-idle-timer} to move the cell underline when |
| 799 | Emacs will be scrolling the buffer after the end of a command, and |
| 800 | also to narrow and underline after @kbd{C-x C-v}. This is visible as |
| 801 | a momentary glitch after C-x C-v and certain scrolling commands. You |
| 802 | can type ahead without worrying about the glitch. |
| 803 | |
| 804 | |
| 805 | @node Nonrelocatable references, The data area, Deferred updates, For Gurus |
| 806 | @section Nonrelocatable references |
| 807 | @cindex nonrelocatable references |
| 808 | @cindex references, nonrelocatable |
| 809 | |
| 810 | @kbd{C-y} relocates all cell-references in a pasted formula, while |
| 811 | @kbd{C-u C-y} relocates none of the cell-references. What about mixed |
| 812 | cases? |
| 813 | |
| 814 | You can use |
| 815 | @lisp |
| 816 | (symbol-value 'B3) |
| 817 | @end lisp |
| 818 | to make an @dfn{absolute reference}. The formula relocator skips over |
| 819 | quoted things, so this will not be relocated when pasted or when |
| 820 | rows/columns are inserted/deleted. However, B3 will not be recorded |
| 821 | as a dependency of this cell, so this cell will not be updated |
| 822 | automatically when B3 is changed. |
| 823 | |
| 824 | The variables @code{row} and @code{col} are dynamically bound while a |
| 825 | cell formula is being evaluated. You can use |
| 826 | @lisp |
| 827 | (ses-cell-value row 0) |
| 828 | @end lisp |
| 829 | to get the value from the leftmost column in the current row. This |
| 830 | kind of dependency is also not recorded. |
| 831 | |
| 832 | |
| 833 | @node The data area, Buffer-local variables in spreadsheets, Nonrelocatable references, For Gurus |
| 834 | @section The data area |
| 835 | @cindex data area |
| 836 | @findex ses-reconstruct-all |
| 837 | |
| 838 | Begins with an 014 character, followed by sets of cell-definition |
| 839 | macros for each row, followed by column-widths, column-printers, |
| 840 | default-printer, and header-row. Then there's the global parameters |
| 841 | (file-format ID, numrows, numcols) and the local variables (specifying |
| 842 | SES mode for the buffer, etc.) |
| 843 | |
| 844 | When a SES file is loaded, first the numrows and numcols values are |
| 845 | loaded, then the entire data area is @code{eval}ed, and finally the local |
| 846 | variables are processed. |
| 847 | |
| 848 | You can edit the data area, but don't insert or delete any newlines |
| 849 | except in the local-variables part, since SES locates things by |
| 850 | counting newlines. Use @kbd{C-x C-e} at the end of a line to install |
| 851 | your edits into the spreadsheet data structures (this does not update |
| 852 | the print area, use e.g. @kbd{C-c C-l} for that). |
| 853 | |
| 854 | The data area is maintained as an image of spreadsheet data |
| 855 | structures that area stored in buffer-local variables. If the data |
| 856 | area gets messed up, you can try reconstructing the data area from the |
| 857 | data structures: |
| 858 | |
| 859 | @table @kbd |
| 860 | @item C-c M-C-l |
| 861 | (@code{ses-reconstruct-all}). |
| 862 | @end table |
| 863 | |
| 864 | |
| 865 | @node Buffer-local variables in spreadsheets, Uses of defadvice in SES, The data area, For Gurus |
| 866 | @section Buffer-local variables in spreadsheets |
| 867 | @cindex buffer-local variables |
| 868 | @cindex variables, buffer-local |
| 869 | |
| 870 | You can add additional local variables to the list at the bottom of |
| 871 | the data area, such as hidden constants you want to refer to in your |
| 872 | formulas. |
| 873 | |
| 874 | You can override the variable @code{symbolic-formulas} to be a list of |
| 875 | symbols (as parenthesized strings) to show as completions for the ' |
| 876 | command. This initial completions list is used instead of the actual |
| 877 | set of symbols-as-formulas in the spreadsheet. |
| 878 | |
| 879 | For examples of these, see file @file{etc/ses-example.ses}. |
| 880 | |
| 881 | If (for some reason) you want your formulas or printers to save data |
| 882 | into variables, you must declare these variables as buffer-locals in |
| 883 | order to avoid a virus warning. |
| 884 | |
| 885 | You can define functions by making them values for the fake local |
| 886 | variable @code{eval}. Such functions can then be used in your |
| 887 | formulas and printers, but usually each @code{eval} is presented to |
| 888 | the user during file loading as a potential virus --- this can get |
| 889 | annoying. |
| 890 | |
| 891 | You can define functions in your @file{.emacs} file. Other people can |
| 892 | still read the print area of your spreadsheet, but they won't be able |
| 893 | to recalculate or reprint anything that depends on your functions. To |
| 894 | avoid virus warnings, each function used in a formula needs |
| 895 | @lisp |
| 896 | (put 'your-function-name 'safe-function t) |
| 897 | @end lisp |
| 898 | |
| 899 | @node Uses of defadvice in SES, , Buffer-local variables in spreadsheets, For Gurus |
| 900 | @section Uses of defadvice in SES |
| 901 | @cindex defadvice |
| 902 | @cindex undo-more |
| 903 | @cindex copy-region-as-kill |
| 904 | @cindex yank |
| 905 | |
| 906 | @table @code |
| 907 | @item undo-more |
| 908 | Defines a new undo element format (@var{fun} . @var{args}), which |
| 909 | means ``undo by applying @var{fun} to @var{args}''. For spreadsheet |
| 910 | buffers, it allows undos in the data area even though that's outside |
| 911 | the narrowing. |
| 912 | |
| 913 | @item copy-region-as-kill |
| 914 | When copying from the print area of a spreadsheet, treat the region as |
| 915 | a rectangle and attach each cell's formula and printer as 'ses |
| 916 | properties. |
| 917 | |
| 918 | @item yank |
| 919 | When yanking into the print area of a spreadsheet, first try to yank |
| 920 | as cells (if the yank text has 'ses properties), then as tab-separated |
| 921 | formulas, then (if all else fails) as a single formula for the current |
| 922 | cell. |
| 923 | @end table |
| 924 | |
| 925 | @c =================================================================== |
| 926 | @node Index, Acknowledgements, For Gurus, Top |
| 927 | @unnumbered Index |
| 928 | |
| 929 | @printindex cp |
| 930 | |
| 931 | @c =================================================================== |
| 932 | |
| 933 | @node Acknowledgements, GNU Free Documentation License, Index, Top |
| 934 | @chapter Acknowledgements |
| 935 | |
| 936 | Coding by: |
| 937 | @quotation |
| 938 | Jonathan Yavner @email{jyavner@@member.fsf.org}@* |
| 939 | Stefan Monnier @email{monnier@@gnu.org} |
| 940 | @end quotation |
| 941 | |
| 942 | @noindent |
| 943 | Texinfo manual by: |
| 944 | @quotation |
| 945 | Jonathan Yavner @email{jyavner@@member.fsf.org}@* |
| 946 | Brad Collins <brad@@chenla.org> |
| 947 | @end quotation |
| 948 | |
| 949 | @noindent |
| 950 | Ideas from: |
| 951 | @quotation |
| 952 | Christoph Conrad @email{christoph.conrad@@gmx.de}@* |
| 953 | CyberBob @email{cyberbob@@redneck.gacracker.org}@* |
| 954 | Syver Enstad @email{syver-en@@online.no}@* |
| 955 | Ami Fischman @email{fischman@@zion.bpnetworks.com}@* |
| 956 | Thomas Gehrlein @email{Thomas.Gehrlein@@t-online.de}@* |
| 957 | Chris F.A. Johnson @email{c.f.a.johnson@@rogers.com}@* |
| 958 | Yusong Li @email{lyusong@@hotmail.com}@* |
| 959 | Juri Linkov @email{juri@@jurta.org}@* |
| 960 | Harald Maier @email{maierh@@myself.com}@* |
| 961 | Alan Nash @email{anash@@san.rr.com}@* |
| 962 |