dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0 Released with New Features and Improvements

We are happy to introduce a new version of our JavaScript/PHP spreadsheet widget, dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0. This update adds a lot of new features and improvements, including cell validation, the ability to lock cells, Undo/Redo operations, and more.

Data Validation

New version supports data validation in cells. It allows you to define the cell type and use its parameters to validate entered values. Supported cell types include: number, email, positive, or not empty. When a user types an incorrect value into a cell, a red triangle appears in the upper-right corner of the cell, indicating that the value should be corrected.

dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0 - Cell Validation

 
Lock/Unlock Cells

We have added the ability to lock cells to prevent them from being changed. You can easily lock/unlock individual cells using the context menu.

dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0 - Locking Cells

 
Improved Copy/Paste

dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0 provides better support for Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V operations, and also adds support for Ctrl+X. We have fixed a few bugs so cut/copy/paste clipboard operations now work more stable.

Another enhancement is support for relative and absolute references in formulas while copying and pasting cells with formulas (Excel-like behavior). dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0 also preserves cell style when you copy/paste cells within the spreadsheet.

 
Block Selection

With this update, you can select a block of cells to copy to clipboard or perform mass operations on selected cells: change text style, background, lock cells, or set up cell type (email, number, etc).

dhtmlxSpreadsheet 2.0 - Block Selection

 
Keyboard Support

Another feature introduced in this release is the ability to select, edit, and navigate through cells by using the keyboard. Supported hotkeys for navigation:

  • Arrow Keys – to navigate from one cell to another
  • Ctrl+Home/Ctrl+End – to navigate to the first or last cell of the spreadsheet
  • PageUp/PageDown – to navigate within a column
  • Home/End – to navigate to the first or last cell in the row

 
Selection:

  • Shift+Arrows – to select a block of cells
  • Ctrl+A – to select all cells

 
Font style:

  • Ctrl+B – bold text
  • Ctrl+I – italic text

 
In addition to Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V combinations, we’ve also added support for Ctrl+X, which can be used to cut a cell/block of cells.

 
Undo/Redo Operations

In version 2.0, users can use the buttons on the toolbar to undo/redo the last actions. The same operations can be done with Ctrl+Z/Ctrl+Y hotkeys. This makes editing the online spreadsheets easy and intuitive.

dhtmlxSreadsheet 2.0 - Redo Button

 
Absolute References In Formulas

There is another Excel-like feature available in this update – support for absolute references in formulas (e.g. $A$1). You can use it to perform a calculation in several places of a spreadsheet always referencing the same cell. The absolute references are also working when you copy and paste formulas in a spreadsheet.

 
Using Database Prefix

This new feature mostly concerns the WordPress and Joomla plugins. By using different table prefixes, you can create several spreadsheets from one database table and display different data for each installation.

 
Download version 2.0:

 
You can find a live demo and licensing details on the dhtmlxSpreadsheet page. If you have any ideas or suggestions for future updates, share them in comments.

Also, if you have successfully used dhtmlxSpreadsheet, share your experience with us!

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