I have a project to develop a DNN-based updatable spreadsheet. I am wondering if ListX could handle the requirements and would appreciate any feedback.

It would look something like this:

http://www.spreadsheetconverter.com/websamples/capbudg/capbudg_html/capbudg.htm

Just like an Excel spreadsheet, the contents of many cells are calculated based on the values entered by the user in other cells (in this example, enter values in the top cells to see changes in the OPERATING CASHFLOWS grid below). The user does not have to click anything to get the calculated values to update - it happens automatically as the input values are changed. Cell values are stored in a database so the state of the spreadsheet can be retrieved anytime a user visits it.

One of the requirements of the project is that it is relatively easy for the site administrator to add new/change spreadsheets.

Initially I thought that this would have to be a custom ASP.NET module, but then wondered if ListX could host it (because ListX might make it easier to maintain). Here's a very basic analysis of what I think the module would need to do:

1. Render the basic layout of the spreadsheet (i.e. cell positions, labels etc) in HTML (input boxes within a large table I would think). Ideally the layout would be stored in a SQL table with a separate admin interface to edit it but if this is too difficult, then the HTML could be maintained within the ListX Layout section.

2. For each formula behind each calculated cell, attach "triggers" to each input cell to update the target cell using the formula when the input is changed. The example above seems to do this purely in JS. I guess it could also be AJAX.

On this point, are there any scripts/libraries you know of to make the coding of the "triggers" easier? For example, JS functions that perform standard calculations given the input and the target box IDs.

3. Get the stored cell values from the database and write then into the cells.

4. On clicking Save, save the cell values back to the database.

Any and all ideas, comments, experience of similar projects gratefully accepted!

lneville:
This is a complex but similar example to what we have implemented with Listx in the past. I have personally built financial calculators using JS and ListX. The project went very smooth and we were able to modify the system a number of times based on changing requirements. We at Bi4ce certainly stand behind ListX in its ability to handle a wide range of tasks from the remedial to very complex projects on a web based platform.

If you need specific listX support, then we can answer any questions you have. Also, we offer ListX consulting in 4 hour increments if you get into something that needs a more hands on approach.