Create spreadsheet data files

If you have Presto StretchCast Premium, you can display custom data from spreadsheets in some graphics. This article describes how to create spreadsheets so the data appear in graphics as you intend.

Notes

• To see which graphics can display spreadsheet data, see the comparison table in Select data sources for graphics.
• The feature described in this article is only available in Presto StretchCast Premium.

There are a couple ways to structure data in XLSX and CSV files. If you create basic data files, you can display one line of data at a time. If you create block data files, you can display groups of data and hide parts of data. For details, including examples, see the following sections.

Sections in this article:

• Create basic data files
• Create block data files
• Tip: Add image variables to spreadsheet files
• Tip: Add color variables to spreadsheet files

Create basic data files

Create a basic spreadsheet file when you want to display one line of data a time.

1. Open an XLSX or CSV file in a spreadsheet editor or text editor.
2. On the first line, enter names of variables. If you're working in a text editor, enter a comma between consecutive variables (for example, Player,Position).
3. On the second and subsequent lines, enter values for each variable. If you're working in a text editor, enter a comma between consecutive values (for example, Pierre Mejia,G).
   
   

   Important! Don't include blank lines in basic data files.

   Tips

   • Want to add images? See the Tip: Add image variables to spreadsheet files section below.
   • Want to add colors? See the Tip: Add color variables to spreadsheet files section below.

   Example of data in a spreadsheet editor:

   

   Example of data in a text editor:

   

4. Save the spreadsheet file as an XLSX or CSV file.

The spreadsheet file is ready, but before you can display spreadsheet data in graphics, you also need to add the spreadsheet to a StretchCast project (in Settings > Data) and add a spreadsheet-enabled graphic to a project's playlist (in Settings > Graphics). For details, see the following articles.

• Select data sources for graphics
• Add graphics to a playlist

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Create block data files

Create a block spreadsheet file when you need to display or hide groups of data or parts of groups.

1. Open an XLSX or CSV file in a spreadsheet editor or text editor.
2. On the first line, enter names of variables. If you're working in a text editor, enter a comma between consecutive variables (for example, Number,Player,Position).
3. On the next line, leave the line blank if you're working in a spreadsheet editor, or enter three commas (,,,) if you're working in a text editor.
   
   

   Example of data variables in a spreadsheet editor:

   

   Example of data variables in a text editor:

   

4. To enter values for one block of data, complete the following steps:
   
   
   1. On the first line after a blank line, enter values for each variable. If you're working in a text editor, enter a comma between consecutive values (for example, 3,Todor,F).
   2. On subsequent lines, enter a comma, then enter values for each variable. If you're working in a text editor, enter a comma between consecutive variables (for example, 16,Travis,F).
      
      

      Tips

      • Want to add images? See the Tip: Add image variables to spreadsheet files section below.
      • Want to add colors? See the Tip: Add color variables to spreadsheet files section below.

      Example of data variables and values in a spreadsheet editor:

      

      Example of data variables and values in a text editor:

      

5. To add another block of data, leave the next line blank if you're working in a spreadsheet editor, or enter three commas (,,,) if you're working in a text editor, then repeat the previous step to enter values for each variable.
   
   

   Example of data blocks in a spreadsheet editor:

   

   Example of data blocks in a text editor:

   

6. Save the spreadsheet file as an XLSX or CSV file.

The spreadsheet file is ready, but before you can display spreadsheet data in graphics, you also need to add the spreadsheet to a StretchCast project (in Settings > Data) and add a spreadsheet-enabled graphic to a project's playlist (in Settings > Graphics). For details, see the following articles.

• Select data sources for graphics
• Add graphics to a playlist

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Tip: Add image variables to spreadsheet files

Enter an image's file name, or enter an image's full path and file name in the spreadsheet file. Include an image's full file path if the image is not located in a Textures folder of StretchCast's installation directory. See the following notes for details.

• Images in a Textures folder: StretchCast adds a Textures folder to the installation directory. When you enter an image's file name, such as logo.png, and don't include the image's path in the spreadsheet file, StretchCast automatically looks for the image in the Textures folder in StretchCast's installation directory.
• Images not in a Textures folder: Enter an image's full path and file name when an image is not in a Textures folders in StretchCast's installation directory. For example, on Windows, enter C:\Documents and Settings\sports\basketball\images\logo.png, or on Mac, enter Macintosh HD/Users/[username]/Documents/Sports/Basketball/Images/logo.png.

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Tip: Add color variables to spreadsheet files

Enter a hexadecimal value (for example, #2F3BE4) for each color that you want to include as a variable in the spreadsheet file. Later, when you use a design that includes an object with a color variable, you can connect the color variable in the spreadsheet to that object.

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