Automating Representation Change Across Domains for Reasoning

Re-representation is a fundamental problem-solving tactic [1] , yet software tools persevere with a single representation despite changes in the problem, purpose, or person using it. Consider spreadsheets, which have found applications from finance tracking, time series analysis, statistics, and even as databases; and they are used by people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and abilities. Regardless of what they are used for or the operator, spreadsheets present a grid of cells as their primary—and sometimes only—means of interaction.