Read Built-In Properties from Spreadsheets in .NET

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will delve into how to utilize GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to efficiently manage and extract metadata from spreadsheets. GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET is a powerful API that enables developers to work with metadata embedded in various file formats, including spreadsheets, presentations, documents, images, and more. This guide focuses specifically on extracting built-in properties from spreadsheet files using C#.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

  • Development Environment: Visual Studio or any C# compatible IDE.
  • GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET Library: Download and install the library from the website.
  • Input File: Prepare a sample spreadsheet file (e.g., Excel) from which you want to extract metadata.

Import Namespaces

Start by importing the necessary namespaces to access GroupDocs.Metadata functionalities within your C# project.

using System;
using GroupDocs.Metadata;
using GroupDocs.Metadata.Formats.Document;

Step 1: Initialize Metadata and Retrieve Spreadsheet Root Package

Begin by initializing the Metadata object with your input file path. Then, obtain the root package specific to spreadsheets.

using (Metadata metadata = new Metadata("YourInputFile.xlsx"))
{
    var root = metadata.GetRootPackage<SpreadsheetRootPackage>();
    
    // Access and retrieve built-in properties
}

Step 2: Access Built-In Properties

Once you have the root package, you can access various built-in properties of the spreadsheet file using DocumentProperties.

Step 2.1: Access Author Property

Retrieve the author (creator) of the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.Author);

Step 2.2: Access Created Time Property

Get the creation timestamp of the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.CreatedTime);

Step 2.3: Access Company Property

Fetch the company name associated with the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.Company);

Step 2.4: Access Category Property

Obtain the category information of the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.Category);

Step 2.5: Access Keywords Property

Retrieve the keywords associated with the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.Keywords);

Step 2.6: Access Language Property

Retrieve the language used in the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.Language);

Step 2.7: Access Content Type Property

Get the content type or MIME type of the spreadsheet.

Console.WriteLine(root.DocumentProperties.ContentType);

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored how to use GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to extract built-in properties from spreadsheet files using C#. By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate metadata management into your .NET applications, enhancing file organization and retrieval capabilities.

FAQ’s

Is GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET compatible with various file formats?

Yes, GroupDocs.Metadata supports a wide range of file formats including spreadsheets, documents, presentations, images, and more.

Can I modify metadata using GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

Yes, you can not only read but also edit, update, and remove metadata using this API.

Where can I find detailed documentation for GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

Detailed documentation is available at GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET Documentation.

How can I obtain a temporary license for testing purposes?

You can request a temporary license from here.

Is there a community forum for GroupDocs.Metadata support?

Yes, you can visit the GroupDocs.Metadata forum for community support and discussions.