A spreadsheet that doesn't break
The long spreadsheet is checked first: thousands separators, mixed signs, regions with no value, field names with spaces. A bad spreadsheet is rejected as a whole.
Deliverable: preparar_dados_graficos.py and manifestOcto for data and charts in Illustrator
Twenty-four charts, one spreadsheet, not a single number swapped. Who answers for the number is you.
Illustrator draws graphs from the Graph Data window and generates pieces in series with the Variables panel, which has its own type for graph data. Octo prepares the spreadsheet so the import doesn't break, exports each data set without overwriting anything, generates maps by value range with mapshaper and checks the drawn number against the spreadsheet. The number, how the chart reads and the final artwork stay with people.
Native graph types9column to radar, according to Adobe Help
Variable types5including graph data, in the Variables panel
Batch naming rules3by number or by data set name
Sources16listed at the end of the page
01
What Octo does with your charts.
Six possible deliverables, drawn from the assessment. None overwrites a file, all check the result by content, and all go to review by whoever is accountable for the number and the piece.
Graph data per piece
One file per region in the Graph Data window layout: empty corner, series in the first row, categories in the first column.
Deliverable: dados/<region>.tsvVariable data set
CSV with text, image (@), graph (%) and visibility (#), with the data set name following the piece's pattern, which becomes the file name in the batch.
Deliverable: checked conjuntos_graficos.csvExport per data set
The script displays each data set, exports SVG and PNG with the data set name, doesn't overwrite and doesn't save the template.
Deliverable: exportar_conjuntos.jsx and logMap by value range
mapshaper joins the spreadsheet to the boundaries, simplifies, classifies and writes SVG with an id and data-* on each region, plus a classes CSV.
Deliverable: mapa_coropletico.sh and classes.csvChecked number
SVG label against the spreadsheet, slices against 100, region color against the class, missing and extra. A mismatch goes back to whoever answers for the number.
Deliverable: conferir_numeros.py and conferencia.csv
02
Eight arms, one checked number.
The same Octo cycle, applied to charts, infographics and maps. Each arm has a narrow role; the people approve the number, the reading and the piece.
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Discovery
Maps what already ships
Which pieces with charts go out every month, from which spreadsheets, on which Illustrator version, and who touches the number along the way.
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Data
Writes the spreadsheet and data sets
Long spreadsheet, data files per chart, variable data set, map classes and naming pattern, versioned.
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Security
Handles the source and the data
Input spreadsheet read-only, separate output, nothing overwritten, spreadsheets with personal names flagged (LGPD).
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Architecture
Chooses the path
Native graph with variables, a chart generated outside as SVG, or a map through mapshaper, depending on the piece and the volume.
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Development
Writes the preparation, export and check
Scripts with the source of each rule noted: thousands, sign, CSV format, data set name.
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Review
Checks by content
Label against spreadsheet, slices against 100, color against class. "The batch finished" is not a check.
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Release
Prepares the delivery
Checked folder and a manifest with sha256. Delivery to the printer or the client is approved by a person.
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Documentation
Records what held
Spreadsheet version, map boundaries and classes, and who approved each piece.
Octo checks whether the drawing matches the spreadsheet. It does not decide whether the spreadsheet is right, choose the chart's scale or approve map boundaries.
03
Each piece, its own path.
The criteria Octo uses to choose, with the documented limit of each path.
| Task | Path | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A chart that looks like the brand | Graph tool and column design | Don't ungroup; gradient only at the end |
| Same chart, different numbers per piece | Variables with graph data | One data file per document; fields without spaces |
| Export one piece per data set | Batch with the Data Sets source | Name by number or by data set name |
| Export SVG and PNG with a log | JSX script with dataSets[i].display() | Illustrator open, designer present |
| Swap the numbers by script | Variables | GraphItem doesn't expose the data in the reference read |
| Complex chart, identical across several formats | matplotlib or Vega-Lite as SVG | Becomes a drawing in Illustrator; updating means regenerating |
| Map of regions by range | mapshaper | Code as text; keep-shapes when simplifying |
| Natural-language request | AI assistant and MCP server | Illustrator (Beta) only, October 2026 |
| Data merge on the server, no workstation | Illustrator API (Firefly Services) | Enterprise route, with access through an Adobe representative; one file per CSV row |
04
From the hand-pasted chart to the checked piece.
Three steps. Each one only makes sense after the previous one has shown results on your team.
A proposal, not a promise
Review
Octo checks the pieces that already go out, without changing how you draw: just name the labels.
- Label against spreadsheet
- Slices against 100
- Spreadsheet version noted
Variables and batch
Template with variables, a prepared spreadsheet and export per data set with standard names.
- Bad spreadsheet rejected up front
- Nothing overwritten
- Designer present and signing off
Generated maps and charts
Maps by range and complex charts generated from a versioned spec, finished by the designer.
- Maps without repainting by hand
- Color checked against class
- Spec next to the spreadsheet
05
Confirmed in a source.
Each point below has a source published by the vendor, the project or the responsible body. The sources are in the next section.
6
points with a published source, each with its reference shown alongside.
- ConfirmedGraph data without thousands separators
- The Graph Data window accepts pasting from a spreadsheet and importing tab-delimited text; numbers go in without a thousands separator (732000, not 732,000).Source: Adobe Help, Add graph data (Oct 27, 2025)
- ConfirmedOne sign per graph
- For all nine types, values must be all positive or all negative.Source: Adobe Help, Data sets and label options (Oct 27, 2025)
- ConfirmedGraph data variable
- The Variables panel has text, image, graph data, linked file and visibility types; in the CSV, "%" marks the graph field.Source: Adobe Help, Variable panel overview and Set up data source files (Oct 27, 2025)
- ConfirmedName from the data set in Batch
- With the Data Sets source: File + Number, File + Data Set Name or Data Set Name.Source: Adobe Help, Batch options (Oct 27, 2025)
- ConfirmedExtendScript stays
- UXP plugins come to Illustrator in public beta by spring 2027 (Northern Hemisphere); ExtendScripts are not affected by the transition.Source: Adobe developer blog (September 2026)
- ConfirmedMap with an id per region
- mapshaper writes SVG with
id-fieldandsvg-data(data-*attributes) and classifies with-classify.Source: mapshaper, command reference
06
What Octo does and what stays with you.
Octo prepares everything, but it does not sign. The document of record stays with whoever is accountable for it.
Octo prepares
Surveys, calculates, organizes and generates the documents: files, artboards, proofs and reports.
Deliverable: material ready to checkYour team checks
The client or the art director checks what Octo delivered before approving. If something doesn't add up, it goes back to Octo with the correction.
Step: review by the approverWho approves
Octo does not approve the artwork. Artwork carries no legal signature: approval of the artwork and the proof stays with the client or the art director.
Approval: client or art director
07
Sources.
Illustrator Help pages on graphs, variables and batch, the Adobe developer blog, the scripting reference (community copy) and the mapshaper, Vega-Lite and matplotlib documentation, consulted on Oct 31, 2026.
- Create graphsHelp; nine types
- Add graph dataHelp; paste, import, no thousands separator
- Data sets and label optionsHelp; layout and sign
- Select parts of a graphHelp; group linked to the data
- Variable panel overviewHelp; variable types
- Set up data source filesHelp; @, %, #, CSV formats
- Import data source filesHelp; one file per document
- Batch optionsHelp; Data Sets, names
- AI tools with Illustrator (Beta)Help; MCP server
- What's new in IllustratorHelp; 30.8, August 2026
- Illustrator APIFirefly Services; enterprise route
- UXP in the flagship applicationsDeveloper blog, September 2026
- DatasetScripting reference, community copy
- mapshaper, referencejoin, simplify, classify, SVG
- Vega-Lite, command linevl2svg, vl2png, vl2pdf
- matplotlib, customizingsvg.fonttype
Your charts in Illustrator, with the number checked against the spreadsheet.
The assessment starts by checking a piece that has already gone out: the labels against the spreadsheet that produced it. You get what matched, what diverged, what was missing and the questions only your team can answer, and you decide with that in hand.