An example method of displaying a data visualization includes displaying a graphical user interface that includes three distinct regions, and receiving user actions to associate two different fields with two different shelves. The method also includes generating, in accordance with the received user actions, data marks to be displayed in a data visualization, each data mark corresponding to a respective retrieved tuple of data from a multidimensional database, where (i) each data mark has an x-position defined according to data for a first field in the respective tuple and (ii) each data mark has a y-position defined according to data for a second field in the respective tuple. The method also includes displaying a data visualization that includes the generated data marks.

A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

An example method of displaying a data visualization includes displaying a plurality of selectable fields and receiving user selections of two different fields from the plurality of selectable fields. The method also includes generating, in accordance with the received user selections, data marks to be displayed in a data visualization, each data mark corresponding to a respective retrieved tuple of data from a multidimensional database, where (i) each data mark has an x-position defined according to data for a first field in the respective tuple and (ii) each data mark has a y-position defined according to data for a second field in the respective tuple. The method also includes displaying the data visualization that includes the generated data marks.

A method of displaying data visualizations includes retrieving a dataset from a multidimensional database, where the dataset includes a plurality of fields, including first and second fields, and the first field is a data hierarchy that includes multiple subfields. The method further includes displaying a GUI with a first region displaying the plurality of fields (with the first field in a collapsed state), a second region with a plurality of shelves, and a third region. In response to receiving a user action to display the first field in an expanded state, the method displays the first field and the multiple subfields in a hierarchical structure. The method receives additional user actions to: (i) associate a first subfield of the plurality with a first shelf, and (ii) associate the second field with a second shelf, and then displays, in accordance with the user actions, a data visualization in the third region.

An example method of displaying a data visualization includes displaying a graphical user interface that includes three distinct regions, and receiving user actions to associate two different fields with two different shelves. The method also includes generating, in accordance with the received user actions, data marks to be displayed in a data visualization, each data mark corresponding to a respective retrieved tuple of data from a multidimensional database, where (i) each data mark has an x-position defined according to data for a first field in the respective tuple and (ii) each data mark has a y-position defined according to data for a second field in the respective tuple. The method also includes displaying a data visualization that includes the generated data marks.

Enabling an authenticated user to access content associated with an authenticated user as though the authenticated user had a selected user relationship with the authenticated user. The user relationship may comprise a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or the like. An invitation to join an electronic service, such as an online social network, is sent to the unauthenticated user at an address known to the authenticated user. The invitation includes a time-limited token, such as a URL, that includes an invitation identifier, which relates the invitation to the authenticated user content. The token may be encrypted in the invitation. The unauthenticated user returns the token as a request to preview the authenticated user content without first becoming an authenticated user of the electronic service. If the token is still valid, access is granted. The unauthenticated user may also request to establish a connection with the authenticated user.

An example method of displaying a data visualization includes displaying a graphical user interface that includes three distinct regions, and receiving user actions to associate two different fields with two different shelves. The method also includes generating, in accordance with the received user actions, data marks to be displayed in a data visualization, each data mark corresponding to a respective retrieved tuple of data from a multidimensional database, where (i) each data mark has an x-position defined according to data for a first field in the respective tuple and (ii) each data mark has a y-position defined according to data for a second field in the respective tuple. The method also includes displaying a data visualization that includes the generated data marks.

A method of displaying data visualizations includes retrieving a dataset from a multidimensional database, where the dataset includes a plurality of fields, including first and second fields, and the first field is a data hierarchy that includes multiple subfields. The method further includes displaying a GUI with a first region displaying the plurality of fields (with the first field in a collapsed state), a second region with a plurality of shelves, and a third region. In response to receiving a user action to display the first field in an expanded state, the method displays the first field and the multiple subfields in a hierarchical structure. The method receives additional user actions to: (i) associate a first subfield of the plurality with a first shelf, and (ii) associate the second field with a second shelf, and then displays, in accordance with the user actions, a data visualization in the third region.

A method is performed at a computer. The computer retrieves a dataset having a plurality of fields, including a first field and a second field. The computer displays a graphical user interface, including a first region displaying the plurality of fields from the dataset, a second region having a plurality of shelves determined according to a user-selected data visualization type, and a third region for displaying one or more data visualizations. The computer receives user actions to drop the first field on a first shelf and to drop the second field on a second shelf. The first and second shelves define positional attributes of data marks. The computer displays a data visualization in the third region. Each data mark has a position in the data visualization determined according to the first shelf, a data value for the first field, the second shelf, and a data value for the second field.