# Make It Make Sense! Understanding and Facilitating Sensemaking in Computational Notebooks

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.11431 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.11431/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 18 Dec 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [NoteEx: Interactive Visual Context Manipulation for LLM-Assisted Exploratory Data Analysis in Computational Notebooks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.07223/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Reusing and making sense of other scientists' computational notebooks. However, making sense of existing notebooks is a struggle, as these reference notebooks are often exploratory, have messy structures, include multiple alternatives, and have little explanation. To help mitigate these issues, we developed a catalog of cognitive tasks associated with the sensemaking process. Utilizing this catalog, we introduce Porpoise: an interactive overlay on computational notebooks. Porpoise integrates computational notebook features with digital design, grouping cells into labeled sections that can be expanded, collapsed, or annotated for improved sensemaking. We investigated data scientists' needs with unfamiliar computational notebooks and investigated the impact of Porpoise adaptations on their comprehension process. Our counterbalanced study with 24 data scientists found Porpoise enhanced code comprehension, making the experience more akin to reading a book, with one participant describing it as It's really like reading a book.