Digital Signage: Manage Content Using a Google Sheet

Overview

Guided Simulation

Simulation: Add a Google Sheet Live Data Content Item

Step-by-Step

The same information from the simulation above is explained in a step-by-step format.

Create and Populate the Spreadsheet

1. Give each column a header containing information about what you wish to display on the sign. Some examples of possible headers include:
   • Title
   • Description
   • Start Playing
   • Stop Playing
   • Location
   • Time
   • Image

2. For each item you wish to display, populate the spreadsheet with information.

   Important

   • Do not skip lines or leave blank lines
   • Do not put any data outside of the pre-existing columns


3. If you choose to have an image on your sign, be certain the image name in the spreadsheet matches the file name exactly.
4. Copy the key from your Google Sheet and save it for later use.

   Note The key is the portion of the URL after "/d/".

   
5. The Google Sheet must have the following settings:
   • Sharing: Anyone with the link can view
   • Publishing: Published

   Note Click File > Publish to publish the Google Sheet.

Create a Template and Region

1. Log in to Content Manager.
2. Create a template with the same resolution as your digital sign (1920x1200 is typical).
   • Add one region.
   • Place the region at 0,0
   • Resize the region to match the size of the template.
   • Save the template.

Add Live Data Content to Your Sign

1. Right-click on the top content folder and select New Content in this Category > Live Data
2. Enter the spreadsheet properties
   • Name
   • Description optional
   • Suggested recurrence
   • Duration

     Note This is how long the content will play if you have more than 1 piece of content in in the region on your sign

3. Click the dynamic URL button.

4. Enter the Path using the following format: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/<key>/export?format=csv&id=<key>&gid=<sheet number>

   Note You will need to overwrite the two <key> portions of the Path with the key from your Google Sheet URL. Overwrite <sheet number> with 0.

5. Select Separated text... from the Data format drop-down list.
6. Click OK.

7. Move the new content type to the region on your template.

Design the Layout

1. Right-click the content object and select Edit Source Content Layout.

2. In the layout, define layout dimensions to match the region. No title or footer will be needed. Make the row height and width match the region dimensions.

3. Pull in the various fields from the data fields above to the layout below.


For images

• Drag down a markup text object to the layout.
• Delete the words markup text in the markup text field.
• Enter the path of the image folder created in the preparatory steps above. The path should be in UNC form: \\server\folder(s)\
• Append the name of the image column to the end and enclose it in curly brackets – example:\\server\folder\{image}
• Press Enter to confirm the text.
• Right click on the image region and choose formatting.
• Select This field contains a path or URL…
• Select Fill container while maintaining aspect ratio from the drop-down list

4. Pull the start date and end date fields to the filter tab on the right.
   • Choose Date/Time from the drop-down list and select the appropriate options.
   • Start date should be on or before Now
   • End date should be on or after Now

Example

Layout

Display