BACKGROUND

Today, while spreadsheet data can be charted, objects within a spreadsheet, such as images, sound files, videos, etc., are not currently handled as first class data and cannot be charted. Although modern reports often have infographics or other objects for facilitating the presentation of data, current spreadsheets are unable to generate such robust reports through charting. Accordingly, current spreadsheets are ill-suited for providing such new features in a visual, sensory-driven world.

It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been described. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background.

SUMMARY

The disclosure generally relates to a system and methods for charting images and/or attributes of images in a spreadsheet. In aspects, when an image is associated with a spreadsheet, the image may be treated as a new type of data within the spreadsheet. In some aspects, a plurality of images may be associated with a spreadsheet, e.g., within a single cell or within a range of cells. In further aspects, both an image and additional data may be associated with a single cell. According to the present methods, the images themselves, as well as parameters of the images including image data (e.g., raw pixel data, etc.) and image attributes (e.g., opacity, color palette, resolution, aspect ratio, image dimensions, author, creation date and/or time, file name, tags, file size, GPS location information, etc.), may be retrieved (e.g., from metadata) and incorporated into a report (e.g., a chart) using a spreadsheet charting function. In further aspects, images may be passed to third party services for processing, which may analyze and return additional image parameters for charting, such as the number of smiling people in a photo, the names of the people in a photo, the type of animal in a photo, and the like.

In aspects, a system is provided that includes a processing unit and a memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the system to perform a method. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more cells within a spreadsheet and identifying an image associated with the selected one or more cells, where the image is associated with one or more parameters. The method further includes receiving a selection of a charting function and creating a chart based on incorporating the image into the chart or charting the one or more parameters of the image.

In further aspects, a system is provided that includes a processing unit and a memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the system to receive a selection of one or more cells within a spreadsheet and identify an image associated with the selected one or more cells, where the image is associated with one or more parameters. The computer executable instructions further causing the system to receive a selection of a charting function, create a chart, and incorporate the image into the chart.

In further aspects, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause a computing device to receive a selection of one or more cells within a spreadsheet and identify an image associated with the selected one or more cells. The computer executable instructions further causing the computing device to receive a selection of a charting function, retrieve one or more parameters associated with the image, and create a chart based on the one or more parameters.

In still further aspects, a method for creating a chart is provided. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more cells within a spreadsheet and identifying data associated with the selected one or more cells. The method further includes receiving a selection of a charting function and creating a chart based at least in part on the data. Additionally, the method includes determining that the data satisfies a condition and, in response to determining that the data satisfies the condition, incorporating an image into the chart.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

