Converting a PDF to grayscale reduces file size by removing unnecessary color data, turning the content into shades of gray. This is especially useful for documents where color isn’t critical, such as text-heavy reports or forms, resulting in more efficient storage and faster transmission. On the other hand, linearization optimizes the PDF’s internal structure for web use. It enables users to start viewing the first page while the rest of the file is still loading, providing a faster and smoother experience, particularly for online viewing. In this article, we will demonstrate how to convert PDF files to grayscale or linearized PDFs in Python using Spire.PDF for Python.

• Convert PDF to Grayscale in Python
• Convert PDF to Linearized in Python

Install Spire.PDF for Python

This scenario requires Spire.PDF for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.PDF

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.PDF for Python on Windows

Convert PDF to Grayscale in Python

Converting a PDF document to grayscale can be achieved by using the PdfGrayConverter.ToGrayPdf() method. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Load a PDF document using the PdfGrayConverter class.
• Convert the PDF document to grayscale using the PdfGrayConverter.ToGrayPdf() method.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Specify the input and output PDF file paths
inputFile = "Sample.pdf"
outputFile = "Output/ConvertToGrayscale.pdf"

# Load a PDF document using the PdfGrayConverter class
converter = PdfGrayConverter(inputFile)
# Convert the PDF document to grayscale
converter.ToGrayPdf(outputFile)

Convert PDF to Linearized in Python

To convert a PDF to linearized, you can use the PdfToLinearizedPdfConverter.ToLinearizedPdf() method. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Load a PDF document using the PdfToLinearizedPdfConverter class.
• Convert the PDF document to linearized using the PdfToLinearizedPdfConverter.ToLinearizedPdf() method.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Specify the input and output PDF file paths
inputFile = "Sample.pdf"
outputFile = "Output/ConvertToLinearizedPdf.pdf"

# Load a PDF document using the PdfToLinearizedPdfConverter class
converter = PdfToLinearizedPdfConverter(inputFile)
# Convert the PDF document to a linearized PDF
converter.ToLinearizedPdf(outputFile)

Open the result file in Adobe Acrobat and check the document properties. You will see that the value for "Fast Web View" is set to "Yes", indicating that the file has been linearized.

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.

Sparklines in Excel are small, lightweight charts that fit inside individual cells of a worksheet. They are particularly useful for showing variations in data across rows or columns, allowing users to quickly identify trends without taking up much space. In this article, we'll demonstrate how to insert, modify, and delete sparklines in Excel in Python using Spire.XLS for Python.

• Insert a Sparkline in Excel in Python
• Modify a Sparkline in Excel in Python
• Delete Sparklines from Excel in Python

Install Spire.XLS for Python

This scenario requires Spire.XLS for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.XLS

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.XLS for Python on Windows

Insert a Sparkline in Excel in Python

Excel offers 3 main types of sparklines:

• Line Sparkline: Shows data trends as a line, similar to a miniature line graph.
• Column Sparkline: Displays data as vertical bars, emphasizing individual data points.
• Win/Loss Sparkline: Illustrates positive and negative values, useful for tracking binary outcomes like wins or losses.

Spire.XLS for Python supports inserting all of the above types of sparklines. Below are the detailed steps for inserting a sparkline in Excel using Spire.XLS for Python:

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet using Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Add a sparkline group to the worksheet using Worksheet.SparklineGroups.AddGroup() method.
• Specify the sparkline type, color, and data point color for the sparkline group.
• Add a sparkline collection to the group using SparklineGroup.Add() method, and then add a sparkline to the collection using SparklineCollection.Add() method.
• Save the resulting file using Workbook.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("Sample.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet in the workbook
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Add a sparkline group to the worksheet
sparkline_group1 = sheet.SparklineGroups.AddGroup()
# Set the sparkline type to line
sparkline_group1.SparklineType = SparklineType.Line
# Set the sparkline color
sparkline_group1.SparklineColor = Color.get_Orange()
# Set the highest data point color 
sparkline_group1.HighPointColor = Color.get_Red()
# Add a sparkline collection
sparklines1 = sparkline_group1.Add()
# Add a sparkline to the collection, define the data range for the sparkline and the target cell for displaying the sparkline 
sparklines1.Add(sheet.Range["A3:L3"], sheet.Range["M3"])

# Add a sparkline group to the worksheet
sparkline_group2 = sheet.SparklineGroups.AddGroup()
# Set the sparkline type to column
sparkline_group2.SparklineType = SparklineType.Column
# Set the sparkline color
sparkline_group2.SparklineColor = Color.get_BlueViolet()
# Set the highest data point color
sparkline_group2.HighPointColor = Color.get_Red()
# Add a sparkline collection
sparklines2 = sparkline_group2.Add()
# Add a sparkline to the collection, define the data range for the sparkline and the target cell for displaying the sparkline 
sparklines2.Add(sheet.Range["A4:L4"], sheet.Range["M4"])

# Add a sparkline group to the worksheet
sparkline_group3 = sheet.SparklineGroups.AddGroup()
# Set the sparkline type to stacked (win/loss)
sparkline_group3.SparklineType = SparklineType.Stacked
# Set the sparkline color
sparkline_group3.SparklineColor = Color.get_DarkBlue()
# Set the negative data point color
sparkline_group3.NegativePointColor = Color.get_Red()
# Add a sparkline collection
sparklines3 = sparkline_group3.Add()
# Add a sparkline to the collection, define the data range for the sparkline and the target cell for displaying the sparkline 
sparklines3.Add(sheet.Range["A8:L8"], sheet.Range["M8"])

# Save the resulting workbook to file
workbook.SaveToFile("AddSparklines.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2016)
workbook.Dispose()

Modify a Sparkline in Excel in Python

After inserting a sparkline, you can modify its type, color, and data source to make it more effective at displaying the information you need.

The following steps explain how to modify a sparkline in Excel using Spire.XLS for Python:

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet using Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Get a specific sparkline group in the worksheet using Worksheet.SparklineGroups[index] property.
• Change the sparkline type and color for the sparkline group using SparklineGroup.SparklineType and SparklineGroup.SparklineColor properties.
• Get a specific sparkline in the group and change its data source using ISparklines.RefreshRanges() method.
• Save the resulting file using Workbook.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file that contains sparklines
workbook.LoadFromFile("AddSparklines.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet in the workbook
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Get the second sparkline group
sparklineGroup = sheet.SparklineGroups[1] 
# Change the sparkline type
sparklineGroup.SparklineType = SparklineType.Line 
# Change the sparkline color
sparklineGroup.SparklineColor = Color.get_ForestGreen()

# Change the data range of the sparkline
sparklines = sparklineGroup[0]
sparklines.RefreshRanges(sheet.Range["A4:F4"], sheet.Range["M4"])

# Save the resulting workbook to file
workbook.SaveToFile("ModifySparklines.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2016)
workbook.Dispose()

Delete Sparklines from Excel in Python

Spire.XLS for Python allows you to remove specific sparklines from a sparkline group and to remove the entire sparkline group from an Excel worksheet.

The following steps explain how to remove an entire sparkline group or specific sparklines from a sparkline group using Spire.XLS for Python:

• Create an object of the Workbook class
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet using Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Get a specific sparkline group in the worksheet using Worksheet.SparklineGroups[index] property.
• Delete the entire sparkline group using Worksheet.SparklineGroups.Clear() method. Or delete a specific sparkline using ISparklines.Remove() method.
• Save the resulting file using Workbook.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file that contains sparklines
workbook.LoadFromFile("AddSparklines.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet in the workbook
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Get the first sparkline group in the worksheet
sparklineGroup = sheet.SparklineGroups[0]
# Remove the first sparkline group from the worksheet
sheet.SparklineGroups.Clear(sparklineGroup)

# # Remove the first sparkline
# sparklines = sparklineGroup[0]
# sparklines.Remove(sparklines[0])

# Save the resulting workbook to file
workbook.SaveToFile("RemoveSparklines.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2016)
workbook.Dispose()

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.

Transforming text to numbers and vice versa in Excel is essential for effective data management. By converting text to numbers, you enhance the accuracy of calculations and data processing, which is vital for activities such as financial reporting and statistical analysis. Conversely, changing numbers to text can improve formatting, making outputs clearer and more readable, ultimately presenting data in a more user-friendly way.

In this article, you will learn how to convert text to numbers and numbers to text in Excel using Spire.XLS for .NET.

• Convert Text to Numbers in C#
• Convert Numbers to Text in C#

Install Spire.XLS for .NET

To begin with, you need to add the DLL files included in the Spire.XLS for .NET package as references in your .NET project. The DLL files can be either downloaded from this link or installed via NuGet.

PM> Install-Package Spire.XLS

Convert Text to Numbers in C#

When you import data from an external source into Excel, you might notice a small green triangle in the upper-left corner of certain cells. This triangle serves as an error indicator, signaling that the number is formatted as text. When numbers are stored as text, it can lead to unexpected outcomes, such as formulas not calculating correctly and displaying as text instead of yielding results.

To convert text-formatted numbers back to numeric format, you can use the CellRange.ConvertToNumber() method. The CellRange object can refer to either a single cell or a range of cells.

Here are the steps to convert text to numbers in Excel:

• Create a Workbook object.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Access a specific worksheet with Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Retrieve a cell or range of cells using Worksheet.Range property.
• Convert the text in the cell(s) to numbers using CellRange.ConvertToNumber() method.
• Save the document as a new Excel file.

using Spire.Xls;

namespace ConvertTextToNumbers
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {

            // Create a Workbook object
            Workbook workbook = new Workbook();

            // Load an Excel document
            workbook.LoadFromFile("C:\\Users\\Administrator\\Desktop\\Input.xlsx");

            // Get a specific worksheet
            Worksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

            // Get a cell range
            CellRange range = worksheet.Range["D2:G13"];

            // Convert text to number
            range.ConvertToNumber();

            // Save the workbook to a different Excel file
            workbook.SaveToFile("TextToNumbers.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2013);

            // Dispose resources
            workbook.Dispose();
        }
    }
}

Convert Numbers to Text in C#

When working with numerical data in Excel, you may find occasions where converting numbers to text is necessary. This is especially crucial for data that requires specific formatting, such as IDs or phone numbers, where leading zeros must be preserved.

To convert a number in a cell to text, you can set the CellRange.NumberFormat property to @. The CellRange object can represent either a single cell or a range of cells.

Here are the steps to convert numbers to text in Excel:

• Create a Workbook object.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Access a specific worksheet through Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Retrieve a specific cell or range of cells using Worksheet.Range property.
• Convert the numbers in the cell(s) to text by setting CellRange.NumberFormat to @.
• Save the document as a new Excel file.

using Spire.Xls;

namespace ConvertNumbersToText
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Create a Workbook object
            Workbook workbook = new Workbook();

            // Load an Excel document
            workbook.LoadFromFile("C:\\Users\\Administrator\\Desktop\\Employee.xlsx");

            // Get a specific worksheet
            Worksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

            // Get a cell range
            CellRange cellRange = worksheet.Range["F2:F9"];

            // Convert numbers in the cell range to text
            cellRange.NumberFormat = "@";

            // Save the workbook to a different Excel file
            workbook.SaveToFile("NumbersToText.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2013);

            // Dispose resources
            workbook.Dispose();
        }
    }
}

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.

Setting view preferences in PDF documents is a crucial feature that can significantly enhance user experience. By configuring options like page layout, display mode, and zoom level, you ensure recipients view the document as intended, without manual adjustments. This is especially useful for business reports, design plans, or educational materials, where consistent presentation is crucial for effectively delivering information and leaving a professional impression. This article will show how to set view preferences of PDF documents with Python code using Spire.PDF for Python.

• Set PDF Viewer Preferences with Python
• Set the Opening Page and Zoom Level with Python

Install Spire.PDF for Python

This scenario requires Spire.PDF for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.PDF

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to: How to Install Spire.PDF for Python on Windows

Set PDF Viewer Preferences with Python

Viewer preferences allow document creators to define how a PDF document is displayed when opened, including page layout, window layout, and display mode. Developers can use the properties under ViewerPreferences class to set those display options. The detailed steps are as follows:

• Create a PdfDocument object.
• Load a PDF document using PdfDocument.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get the ViewerPreferences through using PdfDocument.ViewerPreferences property.
• Set the viewer preferences using properties under ViewerPreferences class.
• Save the document using PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.pdf import *

# Create a PdfDocument object
pdf = PdfDocument()

# Load a PDF file
pdf.LoadFromFile("Sample.pdf")

# Get the viewer preferences
preferences = pdf.ViewerPreferences

# Set the viewer preferences
preferences.FitWindow = True
preferences.CenterWindow = True
preferences.HideMenubar = True
preferences.HideToolbar = True
preferences.DisplayTitle = True
preferences.HideWindowUI = True
preferences.PageLayout = PdfPageLayout.SinglePage
preferences.BookMarkExpandOrCollapse = True
preferences.PrintScaling = PrintScalingMode.AppDefault
preferences.PageMode = PdfPageMode.UseThumbs

# Save the document
pdf.SaveToFile("output/ViewerPreferences.pdf")
pdf.Close()

Set the Opening Page and Zoom Level with Python

By creating PDF actions and setting them to be executed when the document is opened, developers can configure additional viewer preferences, such as the initial page display and zoom level. Here are the steps to follow:

• Create a PdfDocument object.
• Load a PDF document using PdfDocument.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a page using PdfDocument.Pages.get_Item() method.
• Create a PdfDestination object and set the location and zoom factor of the destination.
• Create a PdfGoToAction object using the destination.
• Set the action as the document open action through PdfDocument.AfterOpenAction property.
• Save the document using PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.pdf import *

# Create a PdfDocument object
pdf = PdfDocument()

# Load a PDF file
pdf.LoadFromFile("Sample1.pdf")

# Get the second page
page = pdf.Pages.get_Item(1)

# Create a PdfDestination object
dest = PdfDestination(page)
# Set the location and zoom factor of the destination
dest.Mode = PdfDestinationMode.Location
dest.Location = PointF(0.0, page.Size.Height / 2)
dest.Zoom = 0.8

# Create a PdfGoToAction object
action = PdfGoToAction(dest)

# Set the action as the document open action
pdf.AfterOpenAction = action

# Save the document
pdf.SaveToFile("output/OpenPageZoom.pdf")
pdf.Close()

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.

Pivot charts are a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to visualize data from pivot tables in an easy-to-understand format. They enable users to summarize large datasets, highlight trends, and make data-driven decisions through interactive graphs. Whether you're analyzing sales figures, performance metrics, or any other form of data, pivot charts provide a dynamic way to represent complex data visually. In this article, we will demonstrate how to create pivot charts in Excel in Python using Spire.XLS for Python.

• Create Pivot Charts in Excel in Python
• Show or Hide Field Buttons in Pivot Charts in Excel in Python
• Format Pivot Chart Series in Excel in Python

Install Spire.XLS for Python

This scenario requires Spire.XLS for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.XLS

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.XLS for Python on Windows

Create Pivot Charts in Excel in Python

Spire.XLS for Python provides the Worksheet.Charts.Add(pivotChartType:ExcelChartType, pivotTable:IPivotTable) method to create a pivot chart based on a specific pivot table in Excel. The detailed steps are as follows:

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet in the Excel file using Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Get a specific pivot table in the worksheet using Worksheet.PivotTables[index] property.
• Add a pivot chart based on the pivot table to the worksheet using Worksheet.Charts.Add(pivotChartType:ExcelChartType, pivotTable:IPivotTable) method.
• Set the position and title of the pivot chart.
• Save the resulting file using Workbook.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("PivotTable.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Get the first pivot table in the worksheet
pivotTable = sheet.PivotTables[0]

# Create a clustered column chart based on the pivot table
pivotChart = sheet.Charts.Add(ExcelChartType.ColumnClustered, pivotTable)
# Set chart position
pivotChart.TopRow = 1
pivotChart.LeftColumn = 11
pivotChart.RightColumn = 20
pivotChart.BottomRow = 15

# Set chart title to null
pivotChart.ChartTitle = ""

# Save the resulting file
workbook.SaveToFile("CreatePivotChart.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2013)
workbook.Dispose()

Show or Hide Field Buttons in Pivot Charts in Excel in Python

You can show or hide the following field buttons in a pivot chart with Spire.XLS for Python:

• Entire Field Buttons
• Report Filter Field Buttons
• Legend Field Buttons
• Axis Field Buttons
• Value Field Buttons

The detailed steps are as follows:

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet in the Excel file using Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Get a specific pivot table in the worksheet using Worksheet.PivotTables[index] property.
• Add a pivot chart based on the pivot table to the worksheet using Worksheet.Charts.Add(pivotChartType:ExcelChartType, pivotTable:IPivotTable) method.
• Set the position and title of the pivot chart.
• Hide specific field buttons in the pivot chart, such as the axis field buttons and the value field buttons, using Chart.DisplayAxisFieldButtons and Chart.DisplayValueFieldButtons properties.
• Save the resulting file using Workbook.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("CreatePivotChart.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Get the first pivot table in the worksheet
pivotTable = sheet.PivotTables[0]

# Create a clustered column chart based on the pivot table
pivotChart = sheet.Charts.Add(ExcelChartType.ColumnClustered, pivotTable)
# Set chart position
pivotChart.TopRow = 1
pivotChart.LeftColumn = 11
pivotChart.RightColumn = 20
pivotChart.BottomRow = 15

# Set chart title to null
pivotChart.ChartTitle = ""

# Hide specific field buttons
pivotChart.DisplayAxisFieldButtons = False
pivotChart.DisplayValueFieldButtons = False
# pivotChart.DisplayLegendFieldButtons = False
# pivotChart.ShowReportFilterFieldButtons = False
# pivotChart.DisplayEntireFieldButtons = False

# Save the resulting file
workbook.SaveToFile("HideFieldButtons.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2013)
workbook.Dispose()

Format Pivot Chart Series in Excel in Python

When generating a pivot chart using a pivot table as the data source with Spire.XLS for Python, the chart series are not automatically created. You need to add the series to the pivot chart and then apply the desired formatting. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet in the Excel file using Workbook.Worksheets[index] property.
• Get a specific pivot table in the worksheet using Worksheet.PivotTables[index] property.
• Add a pivot chart based on the pivot table to the worksheet using Worksheet.Charts.Add(pivotChartType:ExcelChartType, pivotTable:IPivotTable) method.
• Set the position and title of the pivot chart.
• Add series to the chart using Chart.Series.Add() method and then apply the desired formatting to the series.
• Save the resulting file using Workbook.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("CreatePivotChart.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Get the first pivot table in the worksheet
pivotTable = sheet.PivotTables[0]

# Create a clustered column chart based on the pivot table
pivotChart = sheet.Charts.Add(ExcelChartType.ColumnClustered, pivotTable)
# Set chart position
pivotChart.TopRow = 1
pivotChart.LeftColumn = 11
pivotChart.RightColumn = 20
pivotChart.BottomRow = 15

# Set chart title to null
pivotChart.ChartTitle = ""

# Add chart series
series = pivotChart.Series.Add(ExcelChartType.ColumnClustered)
# Set bar width
series.GetCommonSerieFormat().GapWidth = 10
# Set overlap
# series.GetCommonSerieFormat().Overlap = 100

# Save the resulting file
workbook.SaveToFile("FormatChartSeries.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2013)
workbook.Dispose()

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.