Implement gradient fill functions to resolve issue #1720

Co-authored-by: dfinke <67258+dfinke@users.noreply.github.com>

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -3,9 +3,12 @@ on:
     branches:
       - master
       - Set-up-GHA-CI/CD
+    paths-ignore:
+      - 'Examples/**'
       
   pull_request:
   
+
 jobs:
   validate:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}

Examples/Charts/ChartDataSeparatePage.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+$data = ConvertFrom-Csv @"
+Region,State,Units,Price
+West,Texas,927,923.71
+North,Tennessee,466,770.67
+East,Florida,520,458.68
+East,Maine,828,661.24
+West,Virginia,465,053.58
+North,Missouri,436,235.67
+South,Kansas,214,992.47
+North,North Dakota,789,640.72
+South,Delaware,712,508.55
+"@
+
+$xlfile = "$PSScriptRoot\spike.xlsx"
+Remove-Item $xlfile -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+
+$xlpkg = $data | Export-Excel $xlfile -WorksheetName Data -AutoNameRange -PassThru
+
+$null = Add-Worksheet -ExcelPackage $xlpkg -WorksheetName Summary -Activate
+
+$params = @{
+    Worksheet = $xlpkg.Summary
+    Title     = "Sales by Region"
+    ChartType = 'ColumnClustered'
+    
+    # XRange    = "Data!A2:A10"
+    # YRange    = "Data!C2:C10"
+
+    XRange    = 'Data!Region'
+    YRange    = 'Data!Units'
+}
+
+Add-ExcelChart  @params
+
+Close-ExcelPackage $xlpkg -Show

GRADIENT_GUIDE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+# Working with Gradient Fills in ImportExcel
+
+## Overview
+
+ImportExcel now provides enhanced support for working with Excel gradient fills through three new functions that address EPPlus 4.x limitations with gradient color reading.
+
+## The Issue
+
+In EPPlus 4.x (used by ImportExcel), while gradient colors can be set using `SetColor()`, they cannot be read back via properties like `Rgb`, `Top`, `Bottom`, `Left`, `Right`. This prevents copying gradients between cells.
+
+## The Solution
+
+Three new functions provide a complete gradient workflow:
+
+### Set-ExcelGradientFill
+Sets gradient fill properties for Excel ranges.
+
+```powershell
+# Basic linear gradient
+Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 90 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green
+
+# Path gradient
+Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["B1"] -Type Path -Color1 Red -Color2 Yellow
+
+# Advanced linear gradient with positioning
+Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["C1"] -Type Linear -Degree 45 -Color1 Purple -Color2 Orange -Top 0.1 -Bottom 0.9
+```
+
+### Get-ExcelGradientFill
+Reads gradient properties that can be reliably extracted from EPPlus.
+
+```powershell
+$gradient = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+# Returns: Type, Degree, Top, Bottom, Left, Right
+# Note: Color1 and Color2 are null due to EPPlus limitations
+```
+
+### Copy-ExcelGradientFill
+Copies gradient fills between ranges using two approaches:
+
+#### Approach 1: Copy Geometric Properties Only
+```powershell
+# Copies Type, Degree, and positioning but warns about colors
+Copy-ExcelGradientFill -SourceRange $ws.Cells["A1"] -TargetRange $ws.Cells["B1"]
+```
+
+#### Approach 2: Complete Gradient Definition
+```powershell
+# Create a complete gradient definition
+$gradientDef = @{
+    Type = "Linear"
+    Degree = 45
+    Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Blue
+    Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Green
+    Top = 0.2
+    Bottom = 0.8
+}
+
+Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["C1:E3"] -GradientDefinition $gradientDef
+```
+
+## Complete Example
+
+```powershell
+Import-Module ImportExcel
+
+$xl = Open-ExcelPackage -Path "gradients.xlsx" -Create
+$ws = Add-WorkSheet -ExcelPackage $xl -WorksheetName "Gradients"
+
+# Set original gradient
+Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 90 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green
+
+# Get gradient properties (geometric only)
+$gradientInfo = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+
+# Create complete definition for copying
+$completeDef = @{
+    Type = $gradientInfo.Type
+    Degree = $gradientInfo.Degree
+    Top = $gradientInfo.Top
+    Bottom = $gradientInfo.Bottom
+    Left = $gradientInfo.Left
+    Right = $gradientInfo.Right
+    Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Blue    # Must specify colors
+    Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Green
+}
+
+# Copy to other cells
+Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["B1:D3"] -GradientDefinition $completeDef
+
+Close-ExcelPackage -ExcelPackage $xl -SaveAs "gradients.xlsx"
+```
+
+## Migration from Direct EPPlus Access
+
+### Before (Limited by EPPlus 4.x):
+```powershell
+# Setting worked
+$Sheet.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient.Color1.SetColor("BLUE")
+$Sheet.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient.Color2.SetColor("GREEN")
+
+# Reading failed - returned empty values
+$rgb = $Sheet.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient.Color1.Rgb  # Empty!
+```
+
+### After (Using ImportExcel functions):
+```powershell
+# Setting is easier and more robust
+Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $Sheet.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 90 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green
+
+# Reading works for geometric properties
+$gradient = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $Sheet.Cells["A1"]
+# $gradient.Type, $gradient.Degree work; colors need to be specified separately
+
+# Copying now possible with complete definitions
+$gradientDef = @{
+    Type = $gradient.Type
+    Degree = $gradient.Degree
+    Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Blue
+    Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Green
+}
+Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $Sheet.Cells["B1"] -GradientDefinition $gradientDef
+```
+
+## Parameters Reference
+
+### Set-ExcelGradientFill Parameters
+- **Range**: Target Excel range (required)
+- **Type**: "Linear" or "Path" (required)
+- **Degree**: Angle for linear gradients (0-360, default 90)
+- **Color1**: First color - Color object or string name (required)
+- **Color2**: Second color - Color object or string name (required)
+- **Top/Bottom/Left/Right**: Position values (0-1, optional)
+
+### Copy-ExcelGradientFill Parameters
+- **SourceRange**: Source range (for copying geometric properties)
+- **TargetRange**: Target range (required)
+- **GradientDefinition**: Hashtable with gradient properties (alternative to SourceRange)
+
+## Limitations
+
+- Color properties cannot be read from existing gradients due to EPPlus 4.x limitations
+- When copying gradients, colors must be specified manually in the gradient definition
+- Functions provide warnings when color limitations affect operations
+
+## Benefits
+
+- Clean, PowerShell-friendly interface for gradient operations
+- Comprehensive parameter validation
+- Clear error messages and warnings
+- Supports both string color names and Color objects
+- Enables gradient copying workflows that weren't possible before

ImportExcel.psd1

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     RootModule         = 'ImportExcel.psm1'
 
     # Version number of this module.
-    ModuleVersion      = '7.8.4'
+    ModuleVersion      = '7.8.10'
 
     # ID used to uniquely identify this module
     GUID               = '60dd4136-feff-401a-ba27-a84458c57ede'
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ Check out the How To Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ne_yX4tYo&list=PL5
         'ConvertFrom-ExcelSheet',
         'ConvertFrom-ExcelToSQLInsert',
         'ConvertTo-ExcelXlsx',
+        'Copy-ExcelGradientFill',
         'Copy-ExcelWorksheet',
         'DoChart',
         'Enable-ExcelAutoFilter',
@@ -54,7 +55,9 @@ Check out the How To Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ne_yX4tYo&list=PL5
         'Export-Excel',
         'Export-ExcelSheet',        
         'Get-ExcelColumnName',
+        'Get-ExcelFileSchema',
         'Get-ExcelFileSummary', 
+        'Get-ExcelGradientFill',
         'Get-ExcelSheetDimensionAddress',       
         'Get-ExcelSheetInfo',
         'Get-ExcelWorkbookInfo',
@@ -91,6 +94,7 @@ Check out the How To Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ne_yX4tYo&list=PL5
         'Set-CellComment',
         'Set-CellStyle',
         'Set-ExcelColumn',
+        'Set-ExcelGradientFill',
         'Set-ExcelRange',
         'Set-ExcelRow',
         'Set-WorksheetProtection',
@@ -149,7 +153,7 @@ Check out the How To Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ne_yX4tYo&list=PL5
             Tags         = @("Excel", "EPPlus", "Export", "Import")
 
             # The web address of an icon which can be used in galleries to represent this module
-            #IconUri = "http://pesterbdd.com/images/Pester.png"
+            #IconUri = 
 
             # The web address of this module's project or support homepage.
             ProjectUri   = "https://github.com/dfinke/ImportExcel"

Private/ArgumentCompletion.ps1

@@ -67,9 +67,8 @@ function WorksheetArgumentCompleter {
     param($commandName, $parameterName, $wordToComplete, $commandAst, $fakeBoundParameter)
     $xlPath = $fakeBoundParameter['Path']
     if (Test-Path -Path $xlPath) {
-        $xlpkg = Open-ExcelPackage -ReadOnly -Path $xlPath
+        $xlSheet = Get-ExcelSheetInfo -Path $xlPath
-        $WorksheetNames = $xlPkg.Workbook.Worksheets.Name
+        $WorksheetNames = $xlSheet.Name
-        Close-ExcelPackage -nosave -ExcelPackage $xlpkg
         $WorksheetNames.where( { $_ -like "*$wordToComplete*" }) | foreach-object {
             New-Object -TypeName System.Management.Automation.CompletionResult -ArgumentList "'$_'",
             $_ , ([System.Management.Automation.CompletionResultType]::ParameterValue) , $_

Public/ConvertFrom-ExcelData.ps1

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ function ConvertFrom-ExcelData {
         [ScriptBlock]$ScriptBlock,
         [Alias("Sheet")]
         $WorksheetName = 1,
-        [int]$HeaderRow = 1,
+		[Alias('HeaderRow', 'TopRow')]
+        [int]$StartRow = 1,
         [string[]]$Header,
         [switch]$NoHeader,
         [switch]$DataOnly

Public/ConvertTo-ExcelXlsx.ps1

@@ -45,11 +45,18 @@ function ConvertTo-ExcelXlsx {
             throw "Could not create Excel.Application ComObject. Please verify that Excel is installed."
         }
 
+        try {  
             $Excel.Visible = $false
-        $null = $Excel.Workbooks.Open($xlsFile.FullName)
+            $null = $Excel.Workbooks.Open($xlsFile.FullName, $null, $true)
             $Excel.ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs($xlsxPath, $xlFixedFormat)
+        }
+        finally {
+            if ($null -ne $Excel.ActiveWorkbook) {
                 $Excel.ActiveWorkbook.Close()
+            }
+            
             $Excel.Quit()
         }
+    }
 }
 

Public/Copy-ExcelGradientFill.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+function Copy-ExcelGradientFill {
+    <#
+    .SYNOPSIS
+    Copies gradient fill settings from one Excel range to another.
+    
+    .DESCRIPTION
+    Due to limitations in EPPlus 4.x, gradient color properties cannot be read directly.
+    This function provides a workaround by storing gradient definitions and applying them
+    to target ranges.
+    
+    .PARAMETER SourceRange
+    The source range with the gradient fill to copy.
+    
+    .PARAMETER TargetRange
+    The target range where the gradient fill should be applied.
+    
+    .PARAMETER GradientDefinition
+    A hashtable containing gradient definition with properties:
+    - Type: Linear or Path
+    - Degree: Angle for linear gradients (0-360)
+    - Top, Bottom, Left, Right: Position values (0-1)
+    - Color1: First color (System.Drawing.Color or color name)
+    - Color2: Second color (System.Drawing.Color or color name)
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Copy gradient from A1 to B1:C2
+    Copy-ExcelGradientFill -SourceRange $ws.Cells["A1"] -TargetRange $ws.Cells["B1:C2"]
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Apply a custom gradient definition
+    $gradient = @{
+        Type = "Linear"
+        Degree = 45
+        Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Blue
+        Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Green
+        Top = 0
+        Bottom = 1
+        Left = 0
+        Right = 1
+    }
+    Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["A1:B2"] -GradientDefinition $gradient
+    
+    .NOTES
+    This function works around EPPlus 4.x limitations with gradient color reading.
+    #>
+    [CmdletBinding(DefaultParameterSetName = 'CopyFromSource')]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(ParameterSetName = 'CopyFromSource', Mandatory)]
+        $SourceRange,
+        
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        $TargetRange,
+        
+        [Parameter(ParameterSetName = 'ApplyDefinition', Mandatory)]
+        [hashtable]$GradientDefinition
+    )
+    
+    if ($PSCmdlet.ParameterSetName -eq 'CopyFromSource') {
+        # Extract gradient properties from source
+        $sourceGradient = $SourceRange.Style.Fill.Gradient
+        
+        # Create gradient definition from source
+        $GradientDefinition = @{
+            Type = $sourceGradient.Type
+            Degree = $sourceGradient.Degree
+            Top = $sourceGradient.Top
+            Bottom = $sourceGradient.Bottom
+            Left = $sourceGradient.Left
+            Right = $sourceGradient.Right
+        }
+        
+        # Note: Colors cannot be copied due to EPPlus limitation
+        Write-Warning "Gradient colors cannot be copied due to EPPlus 4.x limitations. Only geometric properties (Type, Degree, positioning) are copied. Please use Set-ExcelGradientFill to set colors."
+    }
+    
+    # Apply gradient definition to target
+    $targetGradient = $TargetRange.Style.Fill.Gradient
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.Type) {
+        $targetGradient.Type = [OfficeOpenXml.Style.ExcelFillGradientType]::$($GradientDefinition.Type)
+    }
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.ContainsKey('Degree')) {
+        $targetGradient.Degree = $GradientDefinition.Degree
+    }
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.ContainsKey('Top')) {
+        $targetGradient.Top = $GradientDefinition.Top
+    }
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.ContainsKey('Bottom')) {
+        $targetGradient.Bottom = $GradientDefinition.Bottom
+    }
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.ContainsKey('Left')) {
+        $targetGradient.Left = $GradientDefinition.Left
+    }
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.ContainsKey('Right')) {
+        $targetGradient.Right = $GradientDefinition.Right
+    }
+    
+    # Set colors if provided
+    if ($GradientDefinition.Color1) {
+        $color1 = $GradientDefinition.Color1
+        if ($color1 -is [string]) {
+            $color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::$color1
+        }
+        $targetGradient.Color1.SetColor($color1)
+    }
+    
+    if ($GradientDefinition.Color2) {
+        $color2 = $GradientDefinition.Color2
+        if ($color2 -is [string]) {
+            $color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::$color2
+        }
+        $targetGradient.Color2.SetColor($color2)
+    }
+}

Public/Get-ExcelFileSchema.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+function Get-ExcelFileSchema {
+    <#
+        .SYNOPSIS
+            Gets the schema of an Excel file.
+
+        .DESCRIPTION
+            The Get-ExcelFileSchema function gets the schema of an Excel file by returning the property names of the first row of each worksheet in the file.
+
+        .PARAMETER Path
+            Specifies the path to the Excel file.
+
+        .PARAMETER Compress
+            Indicates whether to compress the json output.
+
+        .OUTPUTS
+            Json
+
+        .EXAMPLE
+            Get-ExcelFileSchema -Path .\example.xlsx
+    #>
+
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName, Mandatory)]
+        [Alias('FullName')]    
+        $Path,
+        [Switch]$Compress
+    )
+
+    Begin {
+        $result = @()
+    }
+
+    Process {        
+        $excelFiles = Get-ExcelFileSummary $Path
+        
+        foreach ($excelFile in $excelFiles) {
+            $data = Import-Excel $Path -WorksheetName $excelFile.WorksheetName | Select-Object -First 1
+            $names = $data[0].PSObject.Properties.name
+            $result += $excelFile | Add-Member -MemberType NoteProperty -Name "PropertyNames" -Value $names -PassThru
+        }
+    }
+
+    End {
+        $result | ConvertTo-Json -Compress:$Compress
+    }
+}

Public/Get-ExcelGradientFill.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+function Get-ExcelGradientFill {
+    <#
+    .SYNOPSIS
+    Gets gradient fill properties from an Excel range.
+    
+    .DESCRIPTION
+    This function extracts gradient fill properties that can be reliably read from EPPlus 4.x.
+    Due to EPPlus limitations, gradient colors cannot be read directly and will return $null.
+    
+    .PARAMETER Range
+    The Excel range to read gradient properties from.
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Get gradient properties from a cell
+    $gradientInfo = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Get gradient properties and use them to copy to another range
+    $gradient = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+    # Add colors since they can't be read
+    $gradient.Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Blue
+    $gradient.Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Green
+    Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["B1:C2"] -GradientDefinition $gradient
+    
+    .NOTES
+    Due to EPPlus 4.x limitations, Color1 and Color2 properties will always be $null.
+    This function is provided for completeness and to work with Copy-ExcelGradientFill.
+    #>
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory, ValueFromPipeline)]
+        $Range
+    )
+    
+    process {
+        $gradient = $Range.Style.Fill.Gradient
+        
+        $result = [PSCustomObject]@{
+            Type = $gradient.Type
+            Degree = $gradient.Degree
+            Top = $gradient.Top
+            Bottom = $gradient.Bottom
+            Left = $gradient.Left
+            Right = $gradient.Right
+            Color1 = $null  # Cannot be read due to EPPlus 4.x limitation
+            Color2 = $null  # Cannot be read due to EPPlus 4.x limitation
+            ColorLimitationNote = "Color properties cannot be read due to EPPlus 4.x limitations"
+        }
+        
+        return $result
+    }
+}

Public/Get-HtmlTable.ps1

@@ -50,7 +50,9 @@ function Get-HtmlTable {
     else {
         $h    = ConvertFrom-Html -Content $r.Content
         if ($TableIndex -is [valuetype]) { $TableIndex += 1}
-        $rows =    $h.SelectNodes("//table[$TableIndex]//tr")
+        $rows = try {
+               $h.SelectSingleNode("//table[$TableIndex]").SelectNodes(".//tr")
+        } catch {}
         if (-not $rows) {Write-Warning "Could not find rows for `"//table[$TableIndex]`" in $Url ."}
         if ( -not  $propertyNames) {
             if (   $tableHeaders  = $rows[$FirstDataRow].SelectNodes("th")) {

Public/Import-Excel.ps1

@@ -37,8 +37,7 @@
         [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
         [String]$Password,
         [Int[]]$ImportColumns,
-        [Switch]$Raw,
+        [Switch]$Raw
-        [Switch]$UseSpectre
     )
     end {
         $sw = [System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch]::StartNew()
@@ -253,9 +252,6 @@
                         $entry.Value
                     }
                 }
-                elseif ($UseSpectre) {
-                    $xlBook | Format-SpectreTable
-                }
                 elseif ($Worksheet.Count -eq 1) {
                     $xlBook["$targetSheetname"]
                 }

Public/Set-ExcelGradientFill.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+function Set-ExcelGradientFill {
+    <#
+    .SYNOPSIS
+    Sets gradient fill properties for an Excel range.
+    
+    .DESCRIPTION
+    This function provides a complete interface for setting gradient fills in Excel ranges,
+    working around EPPlus 4.x limitations with gradient handling.
+    
+    .PARAMETER Range
+    The Excel range to apply the gradient fill to.
+    
+    .PARAMETER Type
+    The gradient type: Linear or Path.
+    
+    .PARAMETER Degree
+    The angle for linear gradients (0-360 degrees).
+    
+    .PARAMETER Color1
+    The first gradient color. Can be a System.Drawing.Color object or color name.
+    
+    .PARAMETER Color2
+    The second gradient color. Can be a System.Drawing.Color object or color name.
+    
+    .PARAMETER Top
+    The top position for gradient positioning (0-1).
+    
+    .PARAMETER Bottom
+    The bottom position for gradient positioning (0-1).
+    
+    .PARAMETER Left
+    The left position for gradient positioning (0-1).
+    
+    .PARAMETER Right
+    The right position for gradient positioning (0-1).
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Set a simple blue to green linear gradient
+    Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 90 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Set a more complex gradient with positioning
+    Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1:C3"] -Type Linear -Degree 45 -Color1 ([System.Drawing.Color]::Red) -Color2 ([System.Drawing.Color]::Yellow) -Top 0.2 -Bottom 0.8
+    
+    .EXAMPLE
+    # Set a path gradient
+    Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["B1:D3"] -Type Path -Color1 "DarkBlue" -Color2 "LightBlue"
+    
+    .NOTES
+    This function addresses the EPPlus 4.x limitation where gradient colors cannot be read back.
+    #>
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    [Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis.SuppressMessageAttribute('PSUseShouldProcessForStateChangingFunctions', '', Justification = 'Does not change system state')]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory, ValueFromPipeline)]
+        $Range,
+        
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        [ValidateSet('Linear', 'Path')]
+        [string]$Type,
+        
+        [Parameter()]
+        [ValidateRange(0, 360)]
+        [double]$Degree = 90,
+        
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        $Color1,
+        
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        $Color2,
+        
+        [Parameter()]
+        [ValidateRange(0, 1)]
+        [double]$Top,
+        
+        [Parameter()]
+        [ValidateRange(0, 1)]
+        [double]$Bottom,
+        
+        [Parameter()]
+        [ValidateRange(0, 1)]
+        [double]$Left,
+        
+        [Parameter()]
+        [ValidateRange(0, 1)]
+        [double]$Right
+    )
+    
+    process {
+        $gradient = $Range.Style.Fill.Gradient
+        
+        # Set gradient type
+        $gradient.Type = [OfficeOpenXml.Style.ExcelFillGradientType]::$Type
+        
+        # Set degree for linear gradients
+        if ($Type -eq 'Linear') {
+            $gradient.Degree = $Degree
+        }
+        
+        # Set positioning if provided
+        if ($PSBoundParameters.ContainsKey('Top')) {
+            $gradient.Top = $Top
+        }
+        
+        if ($PSBoundParameters.ContainsKey('Bottom')) {
+            $gradient.Bottom = $Bottom
+        }
+        
+        if ($PSBoundParameters.ContainsKey('Left')) {
+            $gradient.Left = $Left
+        }
+        
+        if ($PSBoundParameters.ContainsKey('Right')) {
+            $gradient.Right = $Right
+        }
+        
+        # Set colors
+        if ($Color1 -is [string]) {
+            $Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::$Color1
+        }
+        $gradient.Color1.SetColor($Color1)
+        
+        if ($Color2 -is [string]) {
+            $Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::$Color2
+        }
+        $gradient.Color2.SetColor($Color2)
+    }
+}

README.md

@@ -19,10 +19,13 @@ Consider donating. Thank you!
 <br>
 <br>
 
-[![Build Status](https://dougfinke.visualstudio.com/ImportExcel/_apis/build/status/dfinke.ImportExcel?branchName=master)](https://dougfinke.visualstudio.com/ImportExcel/_build)
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+[![Subscribe on YouTube](https://img.shields.io/youtube/channel/subscribers/UCP47ZkO5EDkoI2sr-3P4ShQ
+)](https://youtube.com/@dougfinke/)
+<br/>
+<br/>
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-[![](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Apache%202.0-blue.svg)](https://github.com/dfinke/ImportExcel/tree/70ab9e46c776e96fb287682d5b9b4b51a0ec3bac/LICENSE.txt)
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 # Overview
@@ -188,4 +191,14 @@ ForEach-Object { $_.Value | Export-Csv ($_.key + '.csv') }
 ## Contributing
 Contributions are welcome! Open a pull request to fix a bug, or open an issue to discuss a new feature or change.
 
+## New Features
+
+### Gradient Fill Support
+ImportExcel now includes enhanced gradient fill support with three new functions:
+- `Set-ExcelGradientFill` - Apply gradient fills to Excel ranges
+- `Get-ExcelGradientFill` - Read gradient properties from ranges  
+- `Copy-ExcelGradientFill` - Copy gradients between ranges
+
+These functions work around EPPlus 4.x limitations with gradient color reading. See [GRADIENT_GUIDE.md](GRADIENT_GUIDE.md) for detailed usage examples.
+
 Original [README.md](./README.original.md)

__tests__/Get-ExcelFileSchema.tests.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+if (-not (Get-command Import-Excel -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
+    Import-Module $PSScriptRoot\..\ImportExcel.psd1
+}
+
+Describe "Test getting the schema of an Excel file" -Tag GetExcelFileSchema {
+
+    BeforeAll {
+        $script:excelFile = "TestDrive:\test.xlsx"
+        $data = ConvertFrom-Csv @"
+Region,State,Units,Price
+West,Texas,927,923.71
+North,Tennessee,466,770.67
+East,Florida,520,458.68
+East,Maine,828,661.24
+West,Virginia,465,053.58
+North,Missouri,436,235.67
+South,Kansas,214,992.47
+North,North Dakota,789,640.72
+South,Delaware,712,508.55
+"@
+        $data | Export-Excel $excelFile 
+    }
+
+    It "Test Get-ExcelFileSchema function exists" {        
+        $function = Get-Command Get-ExcelFileSchema -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        $function | Should -Not -Be $null
+    }
+
+    It "Test Get-ExcelFileSchema returns json" {
+        $actual = Get-ExcelFileSchema -Path $excelFile
+        $actual | Should -Not -Be $null
+        $actual | Should -BeOfType [string]        
+    }
+
+    It "Test Get-ExcelFileSchema correct json" {
+        $actual = Get-ExcelFileSchema -Path $excelFile
+        $actual = $actual | ConvertFrom-Json 
+
+        $actual.ExcelFile | Should -BeExactly "test.xlsx"
+        $actual.WorksheetName | Should -BeExactly "Sheet1"
+        $actual.Visible | Should -Be $true
+        $actual.Rows | Should -Be 10
+        $actual.Columns | Should -Be 4
+        $actual.Address | Should -BeExactly "A1:D10"
+        
+        $actual.Path | Should -BeExactly ("TestDrive:" + [System.IO.Path]::DirectorySeparatorChar)
+        
+        $actual.PropertyNames.Count | Should -Be 4
+        $actual.PropertyNames[0] | Should -BeExactly "Region"
+        $actual.PropertyNames[1] | Should -BeExactly "State"
+        $actual.PropertyNames[2] | Should -BeExactly "Units"
+        $actual.PropertyNames[3] | Should -BeExactly "Price"
+    }
+}

__tests__/GradientFill.tests.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+Describe "Gradient Fill Functions" {
+    BeforeAll {
+        $script:testPath = "TestDrive:\GradientTest.xlsx"
+        Remove-Item -Path $testPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        
+        # Import the module
+        Import-Module "$PSScriptRoot\..\ImportExcel.psd1" -Force
+    }
+    
+    Context "Set-ExcelGradientFill Tests" {
+        BeforeEach {
+            $script:xl = Open-ExcelPackage -Path $testPath -Create
+            $script:ws = Add-WorkSheet -ExcelPackage $xl -WorksheetName "GradientTest"
+        }
+        
+        AfterEach {
+            Close-ExcelPackage -ExcelPackage $xl
+            Remove-Item -Path $testPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        }
+        
+        It "Should set linear gradient with basic properties" {
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 90 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $gradient.Degree | Should -Be 90
+        }
+        
+        It "Should set path gradient" {
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Path -Color1 Red -Color2 Yellow
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Path"
+        }
+        
+        It "Should set linear gradient with positioning" {
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 45 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green -Top 0.2 -Bottom 0.8 -Left 0.1 -Right 0.9
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $gradient.Degree | Should -Be 45
+            $gradient.Top | Should -Be 0.2
+            $gradient.Bottom | Should -Be 0.8
+            $gradient.Left | Should -Be 0.1
+            $gradient.Right | Should -Be 0.9
+        }
+        
+        It "Should accept System.Drawing.Color objects" {
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Color1 ([System.Drawing.Color]::Red) -Color2 ([System.Drawing.Color]::Blue)
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+        }
+        
+        It "Should work with ranges" {
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1:C3"] -Type Linear -Degree 135 -Color1 "Purple" -Color2 "Orange"
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["A1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $gradient.Degree | Should -Be 135
+        }
+        
+        It "Should validate degree range" {
+            { Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 400 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green } | Should -Throw
+        }
+        
+        It "Should validate position range" {
+            { Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green -Top 1.5 } | Should -Throw
+        }
+    }
+    
+    Context "Get-ExcelGradientFill Tests" {
+        BeforeEach {
+            $script:xl = Open-ExcelPackage -Path $testPath -Create
+            $script:ws = Add-WorkSheet -ExcelPackage $xl -WorksheetName "GradientTest"
+        }
+        
+        AfterEach {
+            Close-ExcelPackage -ExcelPackage $xl
+            Remove-Item -Path $testPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        }
+        
+        It "Should get gradient properties that can be read" {
+            # Set a gradient first
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 45 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green -Top 0.3 -Bottom 0.7
+            
+            $result = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+            
+            $result.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $result.Degree | Should -Be 45
+            $result.Top | Should -Be 0.3
+            $result.Bottom | Should -Be 0.7
+            $result.Color1 | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
+            $result.Color2 | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
+            $result.ColorLimitationNote | Should -Match "EPPlus.*limitation"
+        }
+        
+        It "Should return PSCustomObject with expected properties" {
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Path -Color1 Red -Color2 Blue
+            
+            $result = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+            
+            $result | Should -BeOfType [PSCustomObject]
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain "Type"
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain "Degree"
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain "Color1"
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain "Color2"
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain "ColorLimitationNote"
+        }
+    }
+    
+    Context "Copy-ExcelGradientFill Tests" {
+        BeforeEach {
+            $script:xl = Open-ExcelPackage -Path $testPath -Create
+            $script:ws = Add-WorkSheet -ExcelPackage $xl -WorksheetName "GradientTest"
+        }
+        
+        AfterEach {
+            Close-ExcelPackage -ExcelPackage $xl
+            Remove-Item -Path $testPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        }
+        
+        It "Should copy gradient geometric properties from source to target" {
+            # Set up source
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 60 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green -Top 0.1 -Bottom 0.9
+            
+            # Copy to target (should warn about colors)
+            $warningVar = $null
+            Copy-ExcelGradientFill -SourceRange $ws.Cells["A1"] -TargetRange $ws.Cells["B1"] -WarningVariable warningVar
+            
+            $targetGradient = $ws.Cells["B1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $targetGradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $targetGradient.Degree | Should -Be 60
+            $targetGradient.Top | Should -Be 0.1
+            $targetGradient.Bottom | Should -Be 0.9
+            
+            $warningVar | Should -Match "cannot be copied"
+        }
+        
+        It "Should apply custom gradient definition" {
+            $gradientDef = @{
+                Type = "Linear"
+                Degree = 120
+                Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Purple
+                Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Yellow
+                Top = 0.25
+                Bottom = 0.75
+                Left = 0.2
+                Right = 0.8
+            }
+            
+            Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["C1"] -GradientDefinition $gradientDef
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["C1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $gradient.Degree | Should -Be 120
+            $gradient.Top | Should -Be 0.25
+            $gradient.Bottom | Should -Be 0.75
+            $gradient.Left | Should -Be 0.2
+            $gradient.Right | Should -Be 0.8
+        }
+        
+        It "Should apply gradient definition with string colors" {
+            $gradientDef = @{
+                Type = "Path"
+                Color1 = "Red"
+                Color2 = "Blue"
+            }
+            
+            Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["D1:F3"] -GradientDefinition $gradientDef
+            
+            $gradient = $ws.Cells["D1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $gradient.Type | Should -Be "Path"
+        }
+    }
+    
+    Context "Integration Tests" {
+        BeforeEach {
+            $script:xl = Open-ExcelPackage -Path $testPath -Create
+            $script:ws = Add-WorkSheet -ExcelPackage $xl -WorksheetName "GradientTest"
+        }
+        
+        AfterEach {
+            Close-ExcelPackage -ExcelPackage $xl
+            Remove-Item -Path $testPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        }
+        
+        It "Should work with the original issue scenario" {
+            # Reproduce the original issue scenario but with new functions
+            Set-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"] -Type Linear -Degree 90 -Color1 Blue -Color2 Green
+            
+            # Get gradient info (which will have limited color info)
+            $gradientInfo = Get-ExcelGradientFill -Range $ws.Cells["A1"]
+            
+            # Should be able to copy geometric properties
+            $gradientInfo.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $gradientInfo.Degree | Should -Be 90
+            
+            # Should be able to create a complete gradient definition for copying
+            $completeDef = @{
+                Type = $gradientInfo.Type
+                Degree = $gradientInfo.Degree
+                Top = $gradientInfo.Top
+                Bottom = $gradientInfo.Bottom
+                Left = $gradientInfo.Left
+                Right = $gradientInfo.Right
+                Color1 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Blue  # Need to specify colors
+                Color2 = [System.Drawing.Color]::Green
+            }
+            
+            # Should be able to copy to another cell
+            Copy-ExcelGradientFill -TargetRange $ws.Cells["B1"] -GradientDefinition $completeDef
+            
+            $targetGradient = $ws.Cells["B1"].Style.Fill.Gradient
+            $targetGradient.Type | Should -Be "Linear"
+            $targetGradient.Degree | Should -Be 90
+        }
+    }
+}

changelog.md

@@ -1,3 +1,60 @@
+# 7.8.10
+
+- Thank you https://github.com/evenmartinsen for the PR to fix the AV
+
+# 7.8.9
+
+- Thanks to (Edward Miller)[https://github.com/edwardmiller-mesirow] for improving `ConvertTo-ExcelXlsx`and making it more robust
+
+# 7.8.8
+
+- Fix the release
+
+# 7.8.7
+
+- Thanks to [Phil Bossman](https://github.com/pbossman) for the PR and fixing this.
+    
+    Now, back again, you can type `Import-Excel .\yearlySales.xlsx`, press <ctrl+space> and get a list of the worksheets in the Excel file
+
+    ![alt text](images/AutoCompleteSheetNames.png)    
+
+# Infrastructure change
+
+- Thank you to [RipFence](https://github.com/RipFence) who asked how to place a chart on a different sheet from the data and then did a PR adding the example.
+- added `ignore` so files checked into examples do not trigger a CI run
+
+# 7.8.6
+
+- Thank you [John Boyne](https://github.com/kyllath)
+    - Add missing parameter aliases to align with caller/callee
+
+# 7.8.5
+
+- Added `Get-ExcelFileSchema` to get the schema of an Excel file.
+- This was added to support interacting with `ChatGPT`. Passing the schema to the `ChatGPT` via `PowerShellAI` let's you ask questions about the data including generating code based on the schema.
+
+```powershell
+Get-ExcelFileSchema .\salesData.xlsx
+```
+
+```json
+{
+  "ExcelFile": "salesData.xlsx",
+  "WorksheetName": "Sheet1",
+  "Visible": true,
+  "Rows": 10,
+  "Columns": 4,
+  "Address": "A1:D10",
+  "Path": ".",
+  "PropertyNames": [
+    "Region",
+    "State",
+    "Units",
+    "Price"
+  ]
+}
+```
+
 # 7.8.x
 
 Thanks to [Thomas Hofkens](https://github.com/thkn-hofa)