As a result of high demand for the Visualization API, Fusion Tables API, and Maps API functionalities, several applications have been developed by Google to provide a simple graphic user interface (GUI) on top of these common but fairly complex integrations. Fusion Tables and Google Spreadsheets provide application interfaces for chart creation, but ultimately rely on various underlying Google API infrastructure functionalities. Using the GUIs prior to direct API manipulation offers an easy-to-understand building block for learning the Visualization API.
In this chapter we will cover:
Creating charts in Google Spreadsheets
The Chart Editor
Apps Script
Creating charts in Google Fusion Tables
Geocoding
Markers, Lines, Areas, and Info Windows