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Create video from spreadsheets

Import CSV and Excel files to create charts and KPI cards in your videos

Import Spreadsheets

Import CSV and Excel files to automatically create charts and KPI cards in your videos. Transform your data into engaging visualizations with just a few clicks.

What is Spreadsheet Import?

The Spreadsheet Import feature allows you to upload CSV or Excel files and automatically create data visualizations in your videos. The system parses your data and generates charts and KPI cards that can be used as background elements, making it easy to create data-driven videos.

Key Features

  • Multiple Formats - Supports CSV and Excel (.xlsx, .xls) files
  • Automatic Parsing - Intelligently extracts headers and data rows
  • Chart Creation - Generates various chart types from your data
  • KPI Cards - Creates key performance indicator cards
  • Easy Integration - Data automatically added to your video
  • Flexible Editing - Customize charts and KPIs after import

Supported File Formats

CSV Files

  • Format: Comma-separated values
  • Extension: .csv
  • Structure: Headers in first row, data in subsequent rows
  • Example: 
    Product, Sales, Revenue
Widget A, 150, 5000
Widget B, 200, 7500

Excel Files

  • Formats: .xlsx (Excel 2007+), .xls (Excel 97-2003)
  • Structure: First sheet is used by default
  • Headers: First row should contain column headers
  • Data: Subsequent rows contain data values

How to Import Spreadsheets

Method 1: From Dynamic Elements Section

  1. Open Elements Tab
    • Go to the Elements tab in the editor
    • Navigate to Dynamic Elements section
  2. Select Chart Type
    • Click on Chart button
    • Choose your preferred chart type
  3. Import Data
    • Click Upload or Import Data button
    • Select your CSV or Excel file
    • File is automatically parsed
  4. Review Data
    • Check that headers and rows are correctly identified
    • Verify data looks correct
    • File name and row count are displayed
  5. Create Chart
    • Data is automatically loaded into chart editor
    • Configure chart settings
    • Chart is added to your video

Method 2: During Video Creation

  1. Upload Content
    • When creating a video from content
    • Upload a CSV or Excel file
    • System detects spreadsheet format
  2. AI Processing
    • AI analyzes the data
    • Suggests appropriate visualizations
    • Recommends chart types and KPIs
  3. Auto-Generation
    • Charts and KPIs are automatically created
    • Added to video scenes
    • Ready for customization

Data Structure Requirements

Headers

  • First Row - Must contain column headers
  • Clear Names - Use descriptive column names
  • No Empty Cells - Headers should be filled
  • Examples:
    • Product, Sales, Revenue
    • Month, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
    • Category, Value, Percentage

Data Rows

  • Consistent Format - Same number of columns as headers
  • Data Types - Numbers for charts, text for labels
  • No Empty Rows - Skip empty rows between data
  • Clean Data - Remove formatting and special characters

Best Practices

For Charts:
  • Include numeric data columns
  • Use descriptive labels
  • Organize data logically
  • Keep data consistent
For KPI Cards:
  • Include summary metrics
  • Use clear metric names
  • Provide comparison values if available
  • Include trend indicators

Creating Charts from Data

Chart Types Available

Bar Chart
  • Best for: Comparing categories
  • Data: One label column, one or more value columns
  • Example: Product sales comparison
Line Chart
  • Best for: Trends over time
  • Data: Time/date column, value columns
  • Example: Monthly revenue trends
Pie Chart
  • Best for: Proportions and percentages
  • Data: One label column, one value column
  • Example: Market share distribution
Doughnut Chart
  • Best for: Proportions with emphasis
  • Data: One label column, one value column
  • Example: Budget allocation
Area Chart
  • Best for: Cumulative trends
  • Data: Time column, value columns
  • Example: Cumulative growth
Grouped Bar Chart
  • Best for: Multiple series comparison
  • Data: One label column, multiple value columns
  • Example: Sales by region and product
Stacked Bar Chart
  • Best for: Composition comparison
  • Data: One label column, multiple value columns
  • Example: Revenue by product category
Funnel Chart
  • Best for: Process stages
  • Data: Stage labels, values
  • Example: Sales funnel stages
Treemap Chart
  • Best for: Hierarchical data
  • Data: Category labels, values
  • Example: Revenue by category and subcategory

Configuring Charts

After importing data:
  1. Select Chart Type
    • Choose from available chart types
    • Preview updates automatically
  2. Configure Data Mapping
    • Select label column (X-axis)
    • Select data columns (Y-axis)
    • Choose multiple series if needed
  3. Customize Appearance
    • Set chart title
    • Choose colors
    • Configure legend
    • Adjust grid and axes
  4. Add to Video
    • Position chart on canvas
    • Resize as needed
    • Set timing (start/end frames)

Creating KPI Cards from Data

What are KPI Cards?

KPI (Key Performance Indicator) cards display key metrics in an easy-to-read format. They show:
  • Label - Metric name
  • Value - Current value
  • Change - Percentage change (optional)
  • Trend - Up, down, or neutral indicator

Creating KPIs from Spreadsheet Data

  1. Import Data
    • Upload your spreadsheet
    • Data is parsed automatically
  2. Select KPI Type
    • Go to Dynamic Elements
    • Click KPI button
  3. Configure KPI
    • Enter label (metric name)
    • Set value from your data
    • Add change percentage if available
    • Set trend direction
  4. Customize Appearance
    • Choose colors
    • Set format (number, currency, percentage)
    • Add prefix/suffix
    • Configure animation
  5. Add Multiple KPIs
    • Create multiple cards from different data points
    • Arrange in grid layout
    • Auto-positioning available

KPI Card Formats

Number Format
  • Displays: 1,234 or 1.2K or 1.2M
  • Use for: Counts, quantities
  • Example: Total Users: 1,234
Currency Format
  • Displays: $1,234 or $1.2K
  • Use for: Revenue, costs, prices
  • Example: Revenue: $50,000
Percentage Format
  • Displays: 45.5%
  • Use for: Rates, ratios, completion
  • Example: Conversion Rate: 45.5%
Duration Format
  • Displays: 2:05 (minutes:seconds)
  • Use for: Time-based metrics
  • Example: Average Duration: 2:05

Example Use Cases

Example 1: Sales Report Video

Spreadsheet:
Product, Q1 Sales, Q2 Sales, Q3 Sales
Widget A, 100, 150, 200
Widget B, 80, 120, 180
Widget C, 120, 140, 160
Result:
  • Bar chart comparing products
  • Line chart showing quarterly trends
  • KPI cards for total sales

Example 2: Marketing Dashboard

Spreadsheet:
Metric, Current, Previous, Change
Website Visitors, 50000, 45000, 11.1
Email Subscribers, 12000, 11000, 9.1
Conversion Rate, 3.5, 3.2, 9.4
Result:
  • KPI cards for each metric
  • Trend indicators (up/down)
  • Percentage changes displayed

Example 3: Financial Report

Spreadsheet:
Month, Revenue, Expenses, Profit
January, 50000, 30000, 20000
February, 55000, 32000, 23000
March, 60000, 35000, 25000
Result:
  • Line chart showing trends
  • Stacked bar chart for revenue/expenses
  • KPI cards for key metrics

Editing Imported Data

Modifying Chart Data

  1. Select Chart Element
    • Click on chart in canvas
    • Open chart editor
  2. Edit Data
    • Modify headers
    • Edit rows
    • Add/remove columns
    • Import new data
  3. Update Chart
    • Changes reflect immediately
    • Preview updates automatically

Modifying KPI Data

  1. Select KPI Card
    • Click on KPI card
    • Open KPI editor
  2. Update Values
    • Change label
    • Update value
    • Modify change percentage
    • Adjust trend
  3. Save Changes
    • Changes apply immediately
    • Card updates in preview

Best Practices

For Spreadsheet Preparation

Before Import:
  • Clean your data
  • Remove empty rows/columns
  • Use clear header names
  • Ensure consistent formatting
  • Check data types (numbers vs text)
Data Organization:
  • Put headers in first row
  • Keep data in subsequent rows
  • Use consistent column structure
  • Avoid merged cells
  • Remove special formatting

For Chart Creation

Choose Right Chart Type:
  • Bar charts for comparisons
  • Line charts for trends
  • Pie charts for proportions
  • Area charts for cumulative data
Data Selection:
  • Select relevant columns
  • Use appropriate labels
  • Include all necessary data
  • Consider multiple series
Visual Design:
  • Use clear titles
  • Choose readable colors
  • Enable legends when needed
  • Show grid for readability

For KPI Cards

Metric Selection:
  • Choose key metrics
  • Use meaningful labels
  • Include context (time period, etc.)
  • Show comparisons when available
Card Design:
  • Use appropriate formats
  • Add trend indicators
  • Include change percentages
  • Keep labels concise
Layout:
  • Group related KPIs
  • Use consistent sizing
  • Maintain visual hierarchy
  • Leave space for text

Troubleshooting

"File could not be parsed"

Causes:
  • Invalid file format
  • Corrupted file
  • Unsupported structure
Solutions:
  • Verify file format (CSV or Excel)
  • Check file isn't corrupted
  • Ensure headers are in first row
  • Try saving as CSV if Excel fails

"No headers detected"

Causes:
  • First row is empty
  • Headers are missing
  • File structure is incorrect
Solutions:
  • Add headers to first row
  • Ensure first row has column names
  • Check file structure
  • Re-format spreadsheet

"Data appears incorrect"

Causes:
  • Data formatting issues
  • Mixed data types
  • Special characters
Solutions:
  • Clean data before import
  • Remove special characters
  • Ensure consistent formatting
  • Check for hidden characters

"Chart not displaying correctly"

Causes:
  • Wrong data columns selected
  • Invalid data types
  • Missing required data
Solutions:
  • Verify column selections
  • Check data types (numbers for values)
  • Ensure all required columns present
  • Review chart configuration

"KPI values not showing"

Causes:
  • Invalid value format
  • Missing data
  • Configuration error
Solutions:
  • Check value is numeric
  • Verify data exists
  • Review KPI configuration
  • Check format settings

Tips for Success

  1. Prepare Data First - Clean and organize before import
  2. Use Clear Headers - Descriptive column names help
  3. Test with Sample Data - Try with small dataset first
  4. Choose Appropriate Charts - Match chart type to data
  5. Customize After Import - Fine-tune appearance
  6. Group Related Metrics - Create dashboard layouts
  7. Use Consistent Formatting - Maintain visual consistency
  8. Preview Before Finalizing - Check how it looks in video

Integration with Video Creation

During Script Generation

When you upload a spreadsheet during video creation:
  • AI analyzes the data
  • Suggests appropriate visualizations
  • Creates scenes with charts/KPIs
  • Generates narration about the data

With Background Elements

Charts and KPIs are background elements:
  • Position anywhere on canvas
  • Resize and customize
  • Set timing (start/end frames)
  • Layer with other elements

With Text Elements

Combine data visualizations with:
  • Text overlays explaining data
  • Titles and labels
  • Annotations and callouts
  • Narrative text
The Spreadsheet Import feature makes it easy to create data-driven videos. Simply upload your data, choose your visualizations, and let TellFrame handle the rest!
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