This note discusses a framework for handling objects of a given object oriented library through spreadsheet functions. We first describe the simple and natural representation of object references through strings (object handles). A small set of spreadsheet functions then allows object instantiation and method invocation. Based on this framework we discuss various aspects, e.g., how to ensure consistent object dependency via the spreadsheet cell dependency tree, how to mimic anonymous objects, and how to implement concurrency (asynchronous worksheet functions).
The concepts discussed in this article are implemented in the spreadsheet object handler for Java libraries, Obba.
See www.obba.info.