Configuring Studio for adding tables, maps, and charts to a Digital article

Info: This feature requires Studio 11.159 or higher.

Users can add visual elements such as tables, charts, and maps to a Digital article using the integration between Studio and Infogram.

This requires a dedicated Digital article component.

To let users work with the Infogram integration efficiently, system administrators need to be aware of important background information and may need to perform configuration steps. This is described in this article.

Note: For simplicity and readability, this article refers to adding a table using the Infogram tools. The same process applies to adding maps, charts, and any other component that Infogram may provide.

How it works

In short, the process for users is as follows:

Step 1. In a Digital article, the user opens the Component selector and selects the Data tab.

Step 2. From the tab, the user clicks the Chart data component.

Step 3. In the Properties panel for the component, the users clicks Create data visualization.

Step 4. The user is prompted to log in to Infogram (or create an account), upload a file or add data manually, and style it.

Step 5. The user inserts the Infogram component after which it is visible in the Digital article.

Requirements and notes

Note the following:

• Users require an Infogram account to access the Infogram functionality. This account can be created directly from within Studio and can be a free or paid account. Users with a free account will have a limited number of free tables or other components that they can add. Once the limit has been reached, users will be prompted to sign up for a paid plan. Pricing and costs can be discussed directly with Infogram. Any users who will be actively creating and editing tables require a license. The ability to view the table in the article and publish the article will work without being a licensed Infogram user.

• The e-mail address used for creating the Infogram account should be the e-mail address as used in the user's profile in Studio Server. When the user is prompted to log in to Infogram, this e-mail address is automatically filled in. A different account for logging in can be used by clicking the 'Already have an account? Log in here' option in the dialog. Users can see and edit all data components (including those created by other users) within the Brand they have access to.

Note: When Single Sign-On is implemented in Studio Server after users have created an Infogram account using a Google e-mail account, logging in using that account will not work. To fix this, log in to Infogram and enable the Google log in on your account.

• WoodWing will not be managing the commercial side or charge customers directly. Due to the complexity of user needs, it makes sense that the customers pay Infogram directly for what they need. Each brand's use may be different and there is not a 'one-size-fits-all' option. The Infogram team has been helpful, responsive and understanding of publishers needs as we have created this integration together. Partners or customers that would like more information are encouraged to reach out to sales@infogram.com. We trust that you will be well treated in the process.

• We highly recommend working with a centralized .xls, .xlsx or .csv file format. Based upon customer research, table design tends to vary between print and digital versions. Using a base XLS file, you can upload the data to Infogram to style the content beautifully. The source XLS file can also be used when placing the table on a print layout. We highly encourage designers to place the source table file and use InDesign table styles to format the content. Note that data components will not be automatically converted for digital to print workflows.

• Table data lives in Infogram’s cloud. The data that is created using the Infogram tools is stored in Infogram’s cloud environment. When a user deletes a table from Infogram, any articles that originally linked to that embedded data will now be 'missing' the table. The component will show the text 'Project not found'.

• Links to the embedded data by Infogram work similar to a YouTube video. You can view the content on the article, but the original source is owned and controlled by the content provider. In this case, Infogram.

• The Data component is not supported for publishing to Apple News. This is related to the way tables in Apple News are embedded and formatted.

Configuration

Depending on the current state of your Studio environment, configuration steps may or may not be required.

Steps for new Studio users

The Infogram functionality is provided by default in Studio 11.159 and higher. This means that the Data tab and its Chart component are readily available. No further steps are needed; the system is ready to be used.

Steps for existing Studio environments

For environments in which Studio is already used, a new Default Component Set that contains the Data component needs to be added.

Step 1. Download the Default Component Set containing the new Data component.

Step 2. (Optional) Adjust the styling of the component to your needs, for example by matching it to your house style. For details, see Setting up Component Sets in Studio.

Step 3. (Optional) Merge any customizations used in other Component Sets that you want to also use in this Component Set.

Step 4. Upload the Component Set to Studio, as described in Setting up Component Sets in Studio.

Step 5. Test the functionality by adding a Data component to a Digital article.