About spreadsheets

The spreadsheet pane is where case data is displayed. CaseMap has five main spreadsheets: Facts, All Objects, Issues, Questions, and Research. The All Objects spreadsheets has 11 sub-level spreadsheets where you can analyze specific object information by type. Research is actually broken into three spreadsheets that display authority and extract information in different views.

Each spreadsheet title displays at the top left of the pane with the total number of records included to the far right. Use the scroll bars to the right and bottom of spreadsheets to access additional field information.

Each CaseMap spreadsheet contains various fields to accommodate the type of information you need to track. The fields most often used automatically display when you open each spreadsheet. A list of hidden fields is accessible any time you want to track and analyze more information. You may also choose to hide fields from view that aren't being used or to create a specific spreadsheet view in preparation for creating a report.

 

hmtoggle_plus1Review the five main spreadsheets

CaseMap has five main spreadsheets that will contain your case information. Only three of these spreadsheet icons display in the Case Shortcuts pane's Favorites pane: Facts, All Objects, Issues. The Questions and Research spreadsheet icons display in the All Shortcuts pane. You can change the Favorites pane to display the spreadsheet icons that you use most often. For more information, see Changing shortcuts in the Favorites pane.

Reference the following table for descriptions and use of each spreadsheet.

CaseMap's Five Main Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets

Description

Facts

The Facts spreadsheet is where you build a fact chronology for the case, including rumors, potential facts, and known facts. Each fact is entered as an individual record and can be linked to issues, people and events (objects), and have attached supporting documentation linked to it for fast reference.

Objects

The Objects spreadsheet is where you organize lists of "nouns" in the case, including persons, places, events, documents, evidence, proceedings, and pleadings. The All Objects spreadsheets is a complete listing of all objects in the case, including those contained in sub-topic spreadsheets (which are relevant to a specific object type).

Issues

The Issues spreadsheet is used to build your issues outline, including primary and sub-level issues. Once issues are entered, they can be linked to facts, objects, questions, and research in your case.

Questions

The Questions spreadsheet is where you brainstorm all questions regarding the case and build an overall "to do" list for everything that needs to be accomplished before trial or at the end of discovery. Use this spreadsheet to assign questions/tasks to case staff, track unanswered questions, and enter questions for upcoming witness depositions.

Research

The Research spreadsheet is comprised of three sub-level spreadsheets, which are used to store and organize authorities and authority extracts found when gathering research from case law Web sites.

hmtoggle_plus1Learn how spreadsheet terminology is different than Excel

While CaseMap's spreadsheets work similarly to Microsoft® Excel, the are a few distinctions in terminology to understand when using the application.

Spreadsheet Terminology Distinctions

CaseMap

Microsoft Excel

Description

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets

The different working areas in a CaseMap case that display in the main window pane. Access spreadsheets by clicking icons in the Favorites pane under Case Shortcuts. Spreadsheet views are the basis for creating reports in CaseMap.

Fields

Columns

The columns that display in spreadsheet view are known as fields. For example, the Date & Time field stores the date and time when each case fact occurred. A record is made up of fields. A spreadsheet record contains multiple field data.

Records

Rows

The information in a case that describes a particular fact, object, issue, question, or research item. Records display in spreadsheet views as rows, running from left to right.

Cells

Cells

A cell is where you type data or select a data value. A cell is where a field and record intersect in the spreadsheet.

 

ac_note_icon

Microsoft Excel formulas are NOT accepted in CaseMap. CaseMap runs its own formulas.

hmtoggle_plus1Modify spreadsheets views for purpose or preference

CaseMap spreadsheets display fields in a default view for those most commonly used. Each spreadsheet contains additional fields that are hidden from view and can be inserted for display. Most of the fields you need are already created by CaseMap. If you develop a need for a case-specific fields, then you can create custom fields to accommodate that information.

You can also rearrange the order in which fields display to help you focus on specific case analysis. Spreadsheet field order is often organized with a mind set for preserving views for filtering and sorting data as well as printing reports. The printing of spreadsheet data is WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). And when you run filters or sort data prior to printing reports, you may want to save that spreadsheet view so you can re-run the same search criteria at a later time.

hmtoggle_plus1Save spreadsheet views for report purposes

Once you have organized a spreadsheet view that works well for analyzing data, you may want to save it to reference later or print a report. Once you save a spreadsheet view, it displays in the Current

for your personal use. Because CaseMap can turn all your spreadsheet views into reports, any changes you make to a view's layout are tantamount to redesigning a report. When you create new views, you are in effect creating new reports.

hmtoggle_plus1Rename spreadsheets for your organization

CaseMap allows you to rename many sub-object spreadsheets to terminology that best suits your organization's needs. Once you save the name change, CaseMap displays the new spreadsheet name in the All Shortcuts pane and all other areas of the CaseMap application, including the Send to CaseMap dialog boxes. When you create reports, the new spreadsheet name will be available for selection and display in the printed report.

hmtoggle_plus1Create custom spreadsheets

Create your own custom sub-object spreadsheet to meet each case's specific needs. You can create as many custom spreadsheets as you like. New custom spreadsheets contain five default fields: Full Name, Short Name, Role In Case, Key, and # Facts. You can add additional fields to the new spreadsheet, as needed. When a new spreadsheet is added, you can begin using it as you would other spreadsheets.

hmtoggle_plus1Delete or move spreadsheets

You can arrange sub-object spreadsheets in the All Shortcuts pane in the order you want them to display. And you can delete those that do not suit your current case needs. When you change the spreadsheet display order or delete a spreadsheet, it is a global change and affects all case users' display order for the All Shortcuts pane.

 

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Need additional help? Email the CaseMap Support team at: casemap.support@lexisnexis.com, or contact a support representative at 800.543.6862 (Option 2, then Option 4). The CaseMap Support team is available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday - Friday.

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