Design, implementation and evaluation of an adaptive user interface

Software systems developed in recent years are becoming increasingly powerful, but in most cases they tend to abandon the user to deal with the complexity of the system alone. There is an immense need for systems with individual, context-sensitive support. The paper discusses the development of such a support system with special focus on the user interface. The extension of an existing and complex program. Excel, to an adaptive and customizable system is described. This extension is called Flexcel, and it has been implemented and evaluated. The primary aim of this extension is to provide a convenient environment for adapting Excel's user interface to particular users and their current tasks. For example, it allows the user to define new menu for actions that are frequently needed and normally require a tedious dialog step. Flexcel also analyzes the user's interaction style and presents adaptation suggestions. A critique component supports the user in his/her problem solving and learning activities related to the adaptability of Flexcel's user interface.