4D View Pro: What’s New in 4D v20 R4

With every release, the list of features in 4D View Pro continues to expand. And this feature release is no exception: 4D v20.2 and 4D v20 R4 come with a new version of SpreadJS, the v16.2, and a Ribbon update that is compatible with it.

Let’s explore the enhanced features introduced in this latest version.

Formula Editor Panel

Viewing, editing, and debugging long and complex formulas is now even easier with the Formula Editor Panel.

This new component provides the following functionalities:

• Formulas that are long and complex can be formatted into separate lines with the appropriate indentation and nesting,
• Formula outlines can be collapsed and expanded,
• Formulas can be entered quickly and correctly with suggested functions, custom names, and enumerated parameters,
• Tooltips with information about a function will show when a user hovers over a function name or types a function,
• Formula errors such as incorrect parameters and unmatched brackets will be flagged.

PivotTable Enhancements

SubTotal Option for Single Fields

We have enhanced PivotTable support by adding a subtotal option for individual fields. Previously, you would change the subtotal position to the bottom of each field. Now, you can change the position for respective fields.

Calculation Enhancements

Excel Manual Calculation Options

4D View Pro now supports manual calculation. When set, formulas will not automatically calculate; instead, formulas will only calculate when edited or when a new formula is entered.

All dirty cells will be calculated automatically if relevant cells have been changed. With manual calculation, only cells that have been directly changed are calculated; cells that reference a changed cell will not be calculated.

Cross-Sheet Reference Support when Entering Formulas

We have added the ability to click on a different sheet tab while editing a cell formula to reference cells in other worksheets.

Workbook Enhancements

Display Zero

Sometimes, a worksheet may have formulas that result in 0 in a cell, and a user might not want those cells to show any value. To support this, we have added the showZeros option, which can be enabled to show 0 values in cells and disabled to show the cell value as blank.

Password-protected Worksheets

Worksheets can now be password-protected. You can set a password for specific sheets or the entire workbook, matching Excel’s functionality.

Cell defaultValue Property

We have added a property allowing you to set a cell’s default value. You can set any value or formula as the default value of a cell.

Insert Cut Cells for Tables

Inserting copied or cut cells outside of a table range is already supported, and this release allows copied and cut cells to be inserted into a Table.

Designer Enhancements

Excel Themes, Colors, and Fonts

We have added Themes, Colors, and Fonts buttons to the Designer, which lets users switch themes or color sets to affect all shapes, charts, and built-in cell styles that reference those theme colors.

Need more information? Take a detailed look at these SpreadJS v16.1 and SpreadJS v16.2 advances, and share your experience on the 4D forum.