Read Inspection Properties from Spreadsheets in .NET

Introduction

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to use GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to inspect properties from spreadsheets. GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET is a powerful library that enables developers to read, edit, and remove metadata associated with various file formats, including spreadsheets. This tutorial focuses specifically on reading inspection properties from spreadsheet files using C#.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

  • Visual Studio: Make sure you have Visual Studio installed on your development machine.
  • GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET: Download and install GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET from here.
  • Input File: Prepare a sample spreadsheet file (e.g., Excel file) to inspect its properties.

Import Namespaces

Start by importing the necessary namespaces into your C# project:

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

Step 1: Load the Metadata

Begin by loading the metadata from your input spreadsheet file:

using (Metadata metadata = new Metadata("YourInputFile.xlsx"))
{
    var root = metadata.GetRootPackage<SpreadsheetRootPackage>();

Step 2: Access Inspection Properties

Now, let’s access various inspection properties such as comments, digital signatures, and hidden sheets.

Reading Comments

Retrieve and display comments present in the spreadsheet:

if (root.InspectionPackage.Comments != null)
{
    foreach (var comment in root.InspectionPackage.Comments)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Author: " + comment.Author);
        Console.WriteLine("Comment Text: " + comment.Text);
        Console.WriteLine("Sheet Number: " + comment.SheetNumber);
        Console.WriteLine("Row: " + comment.Row);
        Console.WriteLine("Column: " + comment.Column);
        Console.WriteLine();
    }
}

Reading Digital Signatures

Extract and display digital signatures associated with the spreadsheet:

if (root.InspectionPackage.DigitalSignatures != null)
{
    foreach (var signature in root.InspectionPackage.DigitalSignatures)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Certificate Subject: " + signature.CertificateSubject);
        Console.WriteLine("Comments: " + signature.Comments);
        Console.WriteLine("Sign Time: " + signature.SignTime);
        Console.WriteLine();
    }
}

Reading Hidden Sheets

Retrieve and list hidden sheets within the spreadsheet:

if (root.InspectionPackage.HiddenSheets != null)
{
    foreach (var sheet in root.InspectionPackage.HiddenSheets)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Sheet Name: " + sheet.Name);
        Console.WriteLine("Sheet Number: " + sheet.Number);
        Console.WriteLine();
    }
}

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we’ve explored how to use GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to inspect various properties of spreadsheets. You can further extend this functionality to manipulate, update, or remove metadata as per your requirements.

FAQ’s

Can GroupDocs.Metadata read metadata from other file formats besides spreadsheets?

Yes, GroupDocs.Metadata supports a wide range of document and image formats.

Is GroupDocs.Metadata compatible with .NET Core?

Yes, GroupDocs.Metadata is compatible with both .NET Framework and .NET Core.

How can I edit metadata using GroupDocs.Metadata?

You can modify metadata properties using GroupDocs.Metadata API methods.

Does GroupDocs.Metadata provide support for encrypted documents?

Yes, GroupDocs.Metadata can handle metadata in encrypted and password-protected files.

Can I remove metadata from files using GroupDocs.Metadata?

Yes, you can remove metadata from files using GroupDocs.Metadata library.